It is a parent’s job to provide and care for their child. When there are two living parents, both parents share this responsibility. Some parents live up to their duties, while others unfortunately do not.
The custodial parent should not be the only parent who is financially responsible for their child when the non-custodial parent is still alive. This is why child support exist: to make sure that the non-custodial parent does their part to financially provide for the child.
Child support is sometimes demonized as something one parent uses to “punish” the other parent. The reality is that the sole reason that child support exist is to support…the child. No matter what feelings the parents have for each other, the child needs to be provided for.
Texas law dictates for how child support is to be calculated. Courts will decide how much a non-custodial parent should pay in child support by examining that parent’s income and how many children that parent has. The Oxner Legha Law Firm has vast experience in establishing child support for parents, both through divorce proceedings and through child custody cases.
Parents may also file an application with the Office of the Attorney General to establish child support for free. However, the Office of the Attorney General does not represent either parent. The only concern of the Attorney General is establishing and enforcing child support, and therefore, it will not fight aggressively in other matters that are linked to child support, such as custody, visitation, and possession. Because of this, it is advised that you seek private counsel.
If you or someone you know needs to establish child support or enforce a child support order already in place, please contact us at the Oxner Legha Law Firm by calling 346-327-9500.
