Grapevine, Texas Child Support Attorneys

Knowledgeable Lawyers for Child Support in Grapevine

Child support is an important mechanism to ensure that the children of divorced or otherwise separated parents receive proper financial assistance while growing up. This is enforced through a court order, and it is a long-term responsibility that one parent may have to shoulder until the child becomes an adult. Whether you are paying or receiving support, a Grapevine, TX child support attorney can help protect your rights and interests as a parent.

At Powell Law Offices, P.C., our legal team has over 50 years of combined experience, and we have helped numerous clients with contested issues of family law. We represent parents on either side of a child support dispute, working to resolve the issue as efficiently as possible.

Who Is Responsible for Paying Child Support in Texas?

In Texas, the parent who does not have primary physical custody of a child is generally designated the non-custodial parent and bears the responsibility for paying child support. The family code requires both parents to contribute to the financial needs of their children in proportion to each parent's income and resources.

A court-ordered child support obligation is calculated using guidelines that consider the non-custodial parent's net monthly resources, the number of children, and any existing support obligations. Once the court issues an order, the non-custodial parent must remit payments to the Texas State Disbursement Unit by the due date each month. Failure to do so may lead to enforcement actions, penalties, and interest on the past-due balance.

Non-Minor Support Payments in Texas

Under certain circumstances, a Texas court may extend child support obligations beyond the child's 18th birthday or completion of high school. These non-minor support orders typically arise when:

• The child is enrolled full-time in high school beyond the age of 18 and has not yet graduated.
• The child has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-support.
• The parents agree to continued support as part of a mediated settlement or collaborative agreement, and the court approves the arrangement.

When a child turns 18 but remains in high school, support payments generally continue until graduation or until the child reaches 19, whichever occurs first. In cases involving a disabled adult child, the court may order ongoing support for the duration of the condition if the non-custodial parent has the means to contribute. To secure non-minor support, a parent must present evidence of the child's enrollment status or disability and demonstrate the need for continued financial assistance.

Enforcing Missed Child Support Payments

Texas law provides multiple remedies to enforce past-due child support and compel compliance from a non-custodial parent. With the help of a private lawyer or the state's Attorney General, a parent may initiate enforcement actions without filing a new lawsuit, employing administrative tools such as wage withholding orders, interception of tax refunds, and reporting to credit bureaus. When administrative measures prove insufficient, a parent can ask the court to hold the non-custodial parent in contempt.

Contempt proceedings may result in fines, incarceration, or both, depending on the severity and duration of non-payment. The court also has authority to impose liens on property, suspend professional or driver's licenses, and revoke passports. In urgent situations, a court may require immediate lump-sum payments or set up a payment plan.

Meet With a Grapevine, TX Child Support Lawyer

For many parents, the need for child support may be urgent. At Powell Law Offices, P.C., we can help with a variety of issues related to court-ordered support, including enforcement and modification. We will take your concerns seriously and endeavor to reach an ideal solution on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation today, contact our Grapevine child support attorneys or call 972-584-9382.