How Texas Child Support Guidelines Work
Texas uses a percentage-of-income model to calculate child support. The obligor's monthly net resources (Texas Family Code § 154.125) are multiplied by a percentage based on the number of children: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, and so on. "Net resources" includes salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources, minus taxes, Social Security, health insurance premiums, and union dues.
For many Frisco families, these guideline calculations are just the starting point. The Texas Family Code sets a cap on the net resources subject to the percentage guidelines, which is adjusted periodically. When a parent's income exceeds this cap, the court has discretion to order additional support based on the child's proven needs.
High-Income Child Support in Frisco
With Frisco's concentration of corporate executives, technology professionals, and business owners, above-guideline child support is a frequent issue. When the obligor's net resources exceed the statutory cap, the parent seeking additional support must demonstrate the child's actual needs beyond what the guideline amount covers.
These needs can include:
- Private school tuition and tutoring (several Frisco families utilize private or specialized schools alongside Frisco ISD)
- Competitive athletics, travel sports, and extracurricular programs
- Healthcare costs beyond basic insurance, including orthodontics, therapy, and specialized treatment
- Lifestyle maintenance consistent with the standard of living during the marriage
- Transportation and travel costs for possession schedule (Texas Family Code § 153.312) exchanges
Deviation Factors Under Texas Law
Courts may deviate from guideline support based on several factors, including the age and needs of the child, each parent's financial resources, child care expenses, travel costs for possession, and any special or extraordinary educational or healthcare needs.
Establishing Child Support in Frisco Divorce Cases
Child support is typically established as part of a divorce proceeding, although it can also be ordered in a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) when parents were never married. For Frisco residents, these cases are usually heard in Collin County family courts in McKinney.
Lynda Landers thoroughly analyzes both parents' income and financial circumstances to ensure child support orders accurately reflect the obligor's ability to pay and the child's genuine needs. In cases involving variable income, bonuses, or stock compensation common among Frisco's professional workforce, this analysis requires attention to detail and financial sophistication.
Self-Employment and Business Owner Income
Frisco's entrepreneurial community includes many self-employed parents and small business owners. Determining net resources for these individuals requires examining business tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, depreciation schedules, and personal expenses run through the business. Lynda Landers works with forensic accountants when necessary to ensure income is not understated.
Modification of Child Support
Texas allows modification of a child support order when circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the last order, or when it has been at least three years since the order was established or last modified and the current order differs by 20% or $100 from what the guidelines would produce under current income.
Common modification triggers for Frisco parents include promotions or job changes, loss of employment, changes in the child's needs, a new child in another relationship, or significant changes in health insurance costs.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, Texas provides strong enforcement tools. The Office of the Attorney General can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and file contempt actions. Lynda Landers also files private enforcement motions in Collin County when the AG's office cannot act quickly enough for the situation.
Get the Support Your Children Deserve
Whether you need to establish, modify, or enforce child support, Lynda Landers has 29 years of experience making sure Frisco children are properly supported.