During a divorce in which a couple has children, the court will decide on an amount of child support that one parent will pay to the other. This amount is meant to ensure that both parents are contributing to the children's needs, and it is based on the income earned by the parent paying support, as well as other factors. Courts make determinations based on what is in the best interests of the child, although a judge will also consider the parents' circumstances, as well as issues like the costs of transporting children between the parents' homes and expenses related to child care while a parent is working.
While child support orders are meant to stay in place until children reach adulthood, life does not always stay static, and it is possible that the circumstances of one or both parents may change significantly after the initial ruling. Because of this, parents may wonder if they can modify child support payments after their divorce has been finalized. Fortunately, the laws in Texas provide for the ability to modify child support payments if certain conditions are met.
When Can Child Support Be Modified?
In Texas, the court can modify a child support order if there has been a significant change in circumstances since the original order was entered or if at least three years have passed since the last modification. There are several different situations that could qualify as significant changes, including the loss of a job, a substantial increase or decrease in income for other reasons, changes in child custody arrangements, or significant health care needs for either parent or for a child.
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