Fort Worth Child Support Lawyer

Our legal team understands how important child support can be for both parents. Whether you are seeking to establish payments or questioning the accuracy of the numbers proposed, the financial future of your family depends on fair and lawful support orders. At C.W. Martin Law Office, PLLC, we have represented parents across Tarrant County for over a decade. Our practice focuses entirely on family law, and we offer practical legal support for Texas child support matters from start to finish.

We also provide a free 15-minute consultation to review your situation, with flexible financing options available. Call (817) 813-7777 to speak with our office and learn what your rights and obligations may be. Whether you need full representation or just help with one aspect of your case, we're here to provide guidance backed by experience.

Start With a Free Child Support Review

In your first 15-minute call, our legal team will ask pertinent questions about your custody arrangement, income levels, and any existing orders. From there, we will explain how child support is calculated under Texas law, including which factors affect the final amount. If you choose to move forward with us, we'll take a closer look at your case, review pay stubs, custody terms, medical needs, and any special circumstances that may influence the outcome.

During your initial consultation, our lead attorney will walk through how the Texas Family Code defines net resources, how support guidelines apply to your situation, and what steps are necessary to establish, modify, or enforce a child support order.

How Texas Calculates Child Support

Texas uses a guideline formula based on a percentage of the non-custodial parent's net monthly income. According to the Texas Family Code § 154.125, this usually breaks down as:

• 20% for one child
• 25% for two
• 30% for three
• 35% for four
• 40% for five or more

However, this only applies to the first $9,200 of net monthly income (as of 2025), a figure known as the "cap." This cap was most recently updated in 2019. The court can go above this cap if the child has proven needs such as special education, high medical costs, or private school tuition.

In addition to salary, the court considers self-employment earnings, bonuses, rental income, and even fringe benefits as "net resources" in some cases. Our firm routinely represents both higher-income and working-class parents, and we know how to present income data in a way that is accurate and fair.

Dealing With Arrears and Enforcement Issues

If child support has not been paid, the court has several enforcement tools. This may include wage garnishment, suspension of licenses, or even contempt proceedings. In cases where the paying parent falls significantly behind, the Attorney General's Office may become involved. However, this process is not always fast, and the receiving parent may benefit from legal representation to seek timely payment.

We help parents on both sides of enforcement actions. Whether you are seeking unpaid support or facing accusations of non-payment, we can review the records, represent you in hearings, and resolve the matter through negotiation or litigation.

Modifying Child Support Orders in Texas

If circumstances change, such as a job loss, a significant raise, or a change in custody, you may be able to request a modification to the current child support order. Under Texas Family Code § 156.401, you must show either a "material and substantial change" in circumstances or that three years have passed and the amount differs by at least 20% or $100.

A common scenario might involve a parent who was making $3,500 per month at the time of the original order but now earns $5,500. The other parent may file for a review, especially if the added income would meaningfully increase the child's financial support.

We prepare and file modification motions regularly and can help you determine whether your facts meet the standard. If the court finds enough evidence, it may set a hearing and adjust the amount moving forward.

Navigating Disputes Involving Custody and Support

While child support and custody are technically separate, the two are, of course, connected. A parent who gains more time with the child may argue that support should be adjusted, while another may claim they are paying too much given their actual parenting time.

Although Texas does not reduce support based solely on increased visitation, the entire arrangement must make sense under the law. Our firm often helps parents navigate this scenario, especially in situations where one parent wants to renegotiate both possession and support at once.

Support Matters for Unmarried Parents

When the parents were never married, child support still applies, but only after paternity is legally established. This can be done voluntarily by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity, or through court-ordered genetic testing.

Once paternity is confirmed, the court may issue a support order along with a parenting plan. These orders can follow the guideline percentages, or deviate if facts warrant it. For example, if the father is a student or part-time worker, or if the child has disabilities, the court may tailor the amount accordingly.

We often assist unmarried parents with initial filings, paternity cases, and related support issues. You do not have to navigate this alone.

Our Legal Team Serves All of DFW

C.W. Martin Law Office, PLLC represents clients throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Tarrant County, Parker County, Johnson County, Denton County, and Dallas County. We regularly appear in family courts in Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, Weatherford, Burleson, and surrounding cities.

Because we are based locally and appear in court nearly every day, we understand how different judges and associate judges approach support, enforcement, and modification hearings.

Child Support FAQs in Texas

What happens if a parent quits their job to avoid child support?

The court may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. That means it will base support on what they could be earning, not what they report. The judge will consider work history, education, and job opportunities.

Can parents agree to a child support amount different from the Texas guideline?

Yes, but only if the court finds that the agreed amount is in the best interest of the child. The parties must explain their reasoning, and the court must approve the deviation.

What if the paying parent moves out of Texas?

Texas can still enforce child support across state lines under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Income withholding orders and judgments for arrears can be enforced through other states' courts.

Can child support be waived?

Child support is considered a right that belongs to the child, not the parent. Parents cannot permanently waive it, although they can agree to no payments in some circumstances if approved by the court.

Do support payments cover health insurance?

Yes. Under Texas law, the non-custodial parent is typically ordered to provide health insurance or reimburse the cost. They may also pay "cash medical support" if no insurance is available.

Can child support be paid directly to the other parent?

Only if the court allows it. Most support in Texas must be paid through the State Disbursement Unit. This creates a reliable record of payments and avoids disputes.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

At C.W. Martin Law Office, PLLC, we help parents across Fort Worth and DFW navigate child support. Whether you need to establish payments, challenge an unfair amount, or respond to enforcement actions, we are here for you. Call (817) 813-7777 to schedule your free 15-minute consultation and learn how our legal team can help.