For unmarried parents, there are some hurdles to overcome in the event that the relationship does not work. For the presumed father, he may need to take steps to establish paternity. Once paternity is established, an order for custody can take place. In addition to obtaining placement or visitation time with a child, a child support order can also be established.
How is child support calculated in Texas? Much like any state, child support is designed to benefit the child. And in order to determine how much should be paid each month, the state uses formulas and specific guidelines. Typically, this means looking at a noncustodial parent’s income and allocating a certain percentage of it as child support.
In Texas, the courts will begin this process by looking at the monthly net resources of the parent paying child support. This would be their income minus expenses such as Social Security taxes, federal income tax, state income tax, union dues and health insurance expenses that cover the child. Once this number is established, then a certain percentage is used for child support.
This percentage is based on the number of children. For one child, this is 20 percent, for two children, this is 25 percent, for three children, this is 30 percent, for four children, this is 35 percent, for five children, this is 40 percent and for sic plus children, this amount is not less than the amount for five children. This percentage may change if the parent is already paying child support for another child. However, the court has the final say on the amount paid after they take everything into consideration.
Obtaining child support can be very necessary and beneficial for a child. Ensuring the child’s financial needs are met is essential. Parents seeking child support or dealing with issues related to child support should understand that they have rights and options with regards to recovering this form of financial support.