Today’s third and final blog post in a series from the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, on the subject of child support and medical support, will cover attempts to modify child support orders as well as details regarding the length of time a child support order is good for. As always, I recommend going back and reading the previous installments in this series, as that will help bring you up to speed about this subject.
How Long Does a Child Support/Medical Support Order Last?
Most people have a basic understanding of the duration of a child support order, but the actual details differ somewhat. Your divorce or custody order states when child support ends. It’s either high school graduation or turning eighteen. The later event ends the obligation. Exceptions exist: marriage, emancipation, or the child’s death. These end the support.
Disability cases can extend support duration. If a trial shows your child needs care post-eighteen or graduation, support may continue. You and your spouse can agree to extend support for a disabled child, bypassing court.
Child Support Enforcement Lawsuits in Texas
Clients often doubt their ex’s commitment to paying ordered child support. You might question your spouse’s reliability in fulfilling their support obligations. Request child support modification with mutual agreement, significant changes, or after three years.
The failure to pay child support is a violation of your order and carries penalties under the law. However, it would help if you acted to have these potential penalties triggered. A child, support enforcement suit is how you can have these violations of the order addressed by a judge. Essentially you would file a subsequent lawsuit that asks the judge to handle the missed support payments. Show a ledger of missed payments as evidence for owed amounts.
If child support is not paid, penalties can include fines, restricted license renewals, and up to 180 days in jail. However, unpaid child support does not justify withholding children from their other parent, as this could lead to legal consequences. The recommended approach is to follow legal orders and address violations through an attorney.
Modifying a Child Support/Medical Support Order
You may hold a child support arrangement, but the ordered payment might not reflect your current situation. If your income has dropped, you might need to request a decrease in child support. Conversely, if you believe your ex-spouse’s income has risen, you may need to ask a judge to consider increasing the child support. A child support modification suit is the remedy for this problem.
Request child support modification if both ex-spouses agree, circumstances change significantly, or three years have passed. Significant changes include shifts in primary childcare, job loss, or other major factors.
A court may review child support for modification if it deviates by $100 or 20% after three years. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the costs and effort of legal proceedings. This is especially for minor adjustments in support amounts.
Questions on child support/medical support? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the critical issue of child/medical support with you. As always, a licensed family law attorney is standing by to answer your questions on this or any subject in family law. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, represents clients across southeast Texas, and we would be honored to speak to you today about the services that our firm can provide you and your family with.
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Other Articles you may be interested in:
- Important Information Explained Regarding Child Support and Medical Support in Texas, Part Two
- Important Information Explained Regarding Child Support and Medical Support in Texas
- Texas Child Support Basics
- Texas Child Support Basics, Part Two
- Can my Texas Driver’s License Be Suspended for Not paying Child Support?
- Child Support Modification in Texas (Part 1)
- What do I do if I have overpaid child support in Texas?
- Child Custody Basics in Texas
- Child Support and College Tuition in Texas
- Texas Child Support Appeals
- In Texas, are Child Support and Visitation Connected?
- Texas Child Support – Trust and Annuities
Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Tomball, Texas Child Support Lawyers
The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding child support, it’s essential to speak with one of our Tomball, TX Child Support Lawyers right away to protect your rights.
Our child support lawyersin Tomball, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, handles child support casesin Tomball, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
