Dallas Child Support Attorney — Establish, Modify, Enforce
Texas child support is calculated under Tex. Fam. Code §§154.125-.126 as a percentage of the obligor's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. The presumptive monthly net-resources cap is currently $9,200 (updated by the Texas Attorney General every six years). Garcia-Windsor, P.C. establishes, modifies, and enforces support orders in the Dallas County family district courts.
How Texas Child Support Is Calculated
Under §154.125, the guideline is a percentage of the obligor's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, 40% for five or more, at least 40% for six or more. "Net resources" is defined at §154.062 and includes wages, self-employment income, commissions, tips, rental income, and interest and dividends, minus federal income tax (single filer, one exemption), Social Security tax, state income tax, union dues, and the cost of the children's health insurance.
The presumptive cap on "net resources" for guideline calculation is currently $9,200 per month (adjusted every six years by the Office of the Attorney General under §154.125(a-1)). Above the cap, the court has discretion to award additional support based on the children's proven needs — but the burden is on the party asking for above-guideline support.
The Texas Attorney General publishes a free child-support calculator at attorneygeneral.gov. It's a good sanity check, but the numbers a court actually orders are driven by the obligor's actual net-resources documentation — tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and pay stubs.
What Texas Law Says About Support Orders
Every child-support order in Texas includes medical support (§154.181) — either through the obligor's employer-provided insurance or an equivalent cash medical support payment, plus dental support (§154.1815). Uninsured medical expenses are typically split 50/50 or in proportion to income.
Support is generally payable until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later (§154.001). Support for a child with a physical or mental disability can be extended indefinitely (§154.302).
Payments in Dallas County are usually collected through the Texas State Disbursement Unit and enforced by wage withholding (§158.001 — mandatory in every support order). The Office of the Attorney General provides free enforcement services to any parent, regardless of income.
Our Bilingual Approach at Garcia-Windsor, P.C.
At Garcia-Windsor, P.C., every child support case is led personally by founding attorney Isabela A. Garcia. Isabela is Board of Legal Specialization-eligible family law counsel, a Super Lawyers Rising Star for family law in Dallas, and one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Texas. She serves as the exclusive consulting attorney for the Mexican Consulate General of Dallas through the PALE program (Programa de Asistencia Jurídica a Personas Mexicanas).
We are fully bilingual — English and Spanish — from the first phone call through the final decree. That matters when a spouse, child, or key document lives on the other side of the border. Our office is in the Bishop Arts District at 1015 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208; consultations are free and we respond to every inquiry within one business day.
We represent clients across Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, Denton County, Ellis County, Kaufman County, and Rockwall County and appear regularly in the 254th, 255th, 256th, 301st, 302nd, 303rd, 304th, and 305th Judicial District Courts of Dallas County, filed through the Dallas County District Clerk at the George Allen Sr. Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202.
Modification and Enforcement in Dallas
A support order may be modified under §156.401 if (a) the circumstances have materially and substantially changed OR (b) three years have passed AND the new guideline calculation differs by 20% or $100 from the current order. Job change, loss of employment, and a new baby are common "material change" grounds.
Enforcement uses Chapter 157: motion for enforcement, contempt findings, and — in serious cases — jail time (up to 180 days for civil contempt or six months per violation for criminal contempt). Missed payments accumulate as judgment debt with 6% simple interest under §157.265.
The Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division, provides free enforcement services and often works parallel to a private lawyer. For complex enforcement (self-employed obligors, hidden income, cross-border payors), we usually handle enforcement directly.
Cross-Border Support — Mexico and Beyond
The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA — Chapter 159) governs orders that cross state lines. Texas is also party to the Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support (§159.701), which allows Texas orders to be registered and enforced in Mexico and other signatory countries.
Isabela's role as consulting attorney for the Mexican Consulate of Dallas means we regularly coordinate registration of Texas support orders in Mexican family courts and, conversely, enforcement of Mexican orders in Texas.
Practical tip: if an obligor moves to Mexico with the intent to evade support, do not wait. Registration of the Texas order abroad works best when done proactively, before arrears mount.
When to Call a Dallas Child Support Lawyer
Call whenever your income or the obligor's income changes materially — a job change, a promotion, an unemployment event, or a business closure. A support number that made sense two years ago may be out of line today.
Call before you accept an informal reduction in payments. Reductions must be in writing and entered as a court order to be enforceable; informal "we agreed" arrangements can leave a paying parent facing back-support obligations.
Consultations are free and bilingual. Call 214-466-6699.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Texas child support calculated?
As a percentage of the obligor's monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more, up to the presumptive net-resources cap (currently $9,200/month).
What counts as "net resources" for child support?
Under §154.062: wages, self-employment income, commissions, rental income, interest, dividends, and most other income — minus federal income tax (single filer, one exemption), Social Security tax, union dues, and the children's health insurance premium.
How long do I have to pay child support in Texas?
Until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later (§154.001). Support for a child with a disability can continue indefinitely.
Can I modify a child support order?
Yes, under §156.401 if the circumstances have materially changed OR three years have passed AND the guideline calculation differs by 20% or $100 from the current order.
What if the other parent stops paying?
You can file a motion for enforcement under Chapter 157. Remedies include wage withholding, contempt, jail (up to 180 days civil), and — in serious cases — criminal prosecution. Arrears carry 6% simple interest.
Does child support continue if the paying parent loses their job?
The obligation continues, but the amount can be modified. Job loss is a material change under §156.401. File a modification promptly — support does not automatically adjust.
What about medical bills that insurance doesn't cover?
Uninsured medical expenses are usually allocated 50/50 or in proportion to each parent's income. The order should specify the ratio and reimbursement procedure.
Can child support cross state lines or into Mexico?
Yes. UIFSA (Chapter 159) governs interstate orders, and Texas is a party to the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support. Texas orders can be registered and enforced in Mexico.
Do I need a lawyer if the Attorney General is handling my case?
The OAG represents the child, not the parent. For contested income, self-employment income, hidden assets, or cross-border obligors, private counsel is often faster and more thorough.
Ready to discuss your child support case?
Call our Dallas office at 214-466-6699 or request a free consultation online.