Child Support FAQ | Texas Family Law Powerhouse

Question 1

Can a parent stop paying child support if they lose their job but hide their assets?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including IN THE INTEREST OF D.J., A CHILD, Appellant. Transparency is mandatory in support modification cases; losing your primary income does not excuse you from disclosing your broader financial estate. Additionally, any party seeking discovery sanctions must ensure the record contains specific evidentiary proof linking the amount of the sanction to the actual costs or fees incurred.

Question 2

Can I appeal a court's decision on child support back payments?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including Owens v. Johnson. When seeking to modify child support, testimony is not a substitute for a paper trail. If you claim a decrease in income but fail to produce readily available financial records like pay stubs or tax returns, the court has the discretion to completely disregard your testimony and maintain your current support obligations.

Question 3

Can I challenge a child support order due to conflicts of interest or Title IV-D program issues?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including In the Interest of P.J.G., A Child. Pro se litigants are held to the same standards as licensed attorneys; failing to provide a clear, legally-supported roadmap of trial court errors in an appellate brief will result in a waiver of those claims, regardless of their perceived constitutional importance.

Question 4

Can online military pay calculators be used as evidence in Texas child support cases?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including Owens v. Johnson. When seeking to modify child support, testimony is not a substitute for a paper trail. If you claim a decrease in income but fail to produce readily available financial records like pay stubs or tax returns, the court has the discretion to completely disregard your testimony and maintain your current support obligations.

Question 5

How do Texas courts handle deviations from child support guidelines for medical expenses and travel costs?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 2 Texas court opinion(s), including Owens v. Johnson. When seeking to modify child support, testimony is not a substitute for a paper trail. If you claim a decrease in income but fail to produce readily available financial records like pay stubs or tax returns, the court has the discretion to completely disregard your testimony and maintain your current support obligations.

Question 6

How is child support calculated when a parent is intentionally underemployed in Texas?

Accepted Answer

This question has been addressed in 1 Texas court opinion(s), including In the Interest of B.R.H., A Child. A parent's unilateral and unwarranted medical or psychiatric decisions can be legally characterized as harmful acts, providing sufficient grounds for a court to restrict that parent to supervised visitation and transfer exclusive decision-making rights to the other parent.