The parent who does not primarily reside with the child is normally required to pay child support. Generally, child support is paid monthly and may be taken directly out of the paycheck of the non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent is also typically required to pay for the child’s health insurance. A private attorney may be hired to handle child support matters and file a lawsuit called a “Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship” (SAPCR).
The State of Texas has set forth specific guidelines to determine the amount of child support. Normally, a parent will pay twenty percent from their net monthly income for one child. That amount is raised by five percent for each additional child (twenty-five percent for two children, thirty percent for three children, etc.). In Texas, no parent can be required to pay more than fifty percent of their net earnings for child support. A parent who is not receiving child support can contact a private attorney or the Attorney General’s office for assistance.