Houston Child Support Attorney

Calculating Child Support Amounts in Texas

Some family law attorneys will tell you that child support calculations are a simple calculation under Texas law. The statutory child support guidelines specify how child support will be calculated — and that's the end of the story.

However, Texas law also includes 17 different variables that a judge can consider when addressing a petition to order child support payments above or below the statutory guidelines. At the Houston law firm of Myres & Associates, PLLC, our lawyers are well-versed in these variables, and we have a successful record of using creative problem-solving techniques to achieve our clients' child support needs.

Accurate Calculations of Parental Income

One of the most important variables in calculating child support payments is parental income. If both parents have a single job, receive one W-2 at the end of each tax year and visitation is standard, child support calculations may be relatively straightforward. When a parent has multiple income sources, however, the calculations become more complex.

Calculating the proper child support payments when a parent is self-employed or owns a closely held business can be a challenge. Appropriate investigations to identify and quantify undisclosed or overstated income can be an important element in determining child support.

A parent's income according to IRS filings may not necessarily be the same amount as the income a court will consider when making child support calculations. For example, a self-employed individual may deduct expenses for business-related use of a vehicle, thus lowering his or her income for tax purposes. But should those deductions be factored back into the equation when calculating income for child support purposes?

Support for Special Needs Children

All children are special. Some children have special needs due to physical or mental challenges. Your attorney should be familiar with the issues necessary to protect the children and the benefits and assistance available. The needs of these children create complex difficulties requiring creative solutions.

Consult a Knowledgeable Family Law Firm With Child Support Questions

At Myres & Associates, our attorneys have more than 65 years' combined experience litigating complex family law disputes on behalf of clients in Houston and around the world.

Whether your child support questions arise in the context of a new divorce or modification of an existing child support order, we are available to address your concerns and advocate on your behalf.

To schedule a confidential consultation, call 713.581.8167 or toll-free 866.506.1221 or contact us online.