Austin, TX Child Support Lawyers

Your Children Deserve Support From Both Parents

If you're reading this, you're probably exhausted. You're covering the grocery runs, the school supplies, the soccer cleats, the doctor visits, and the endless list of expenses that come with raising children. And you're wondering why you seem to be carrying this weight alone.

Here's what we want you to know: wanting fair financial support for your children isn't selfish. It's not petty. It's not about punishing your ex. It's about making sure your kids have what they need to thrive and that both parents contribute to making that happen.

At Hembree Bell Law Firm, our Austin child support lawyers understand the frustration of feeling like you're doing all the heavy lifting. Led by award-winning attorney Hannah Hembree Bell, who built this firm to provide the kind of compassionate, effective support she wished she'd had during her own divorce, our team combines decades of collective experience with genuine understanding of what you're facing.

We don't just handle paperwork. We fight smart for families like yours, helping you secure fair support so you can stop stressing about money and start focusing on what matters most: being present for your children.

Call today to schedule your free case evaluation and discover how we can help.

How Child Support Works in Texas

Child support is a payment one parent makes to the other to help cover the costs of raising their children. And let's be honest—raising kids in Austin isn't cheap. Between housing costs, childcare, healthcare, extracurriculars, and everything else, the expenses add up fast.

Texas uses specific guidelines to calculate child support based on the paying parent's net monthly income and the number of children. For one child, the guideline amount is 20% of net resources. For two children, it's 25%. The percentage increases with additional children.

But guidelines are just the starting point. Our Austin child support lawyers help you understand how these calculations apply to your specific situation and advocate for arrangements that truly meet your children's needs—whether that means pursuing guideline support or arguing for adjustments based on your family's circumstances.

Child Support Challenges Unique to Austin Families

Austin isn't like other cities, and child support here often involves complexities that reflect our community's unique character.

Tech Industry Compensation

Many Austin parents work in tech, where compensation packages include base salary plus stock options, RSUs, bonuses, and other variable income. Determining accurate child support when income fluctuates or includes equity compensation requires careful analysis to ensure your children receive fair support based on what the other parent actually earns.

High Cost of Living

Austin's cost of living has skyrocketed in recent years. Housing, childcare, and everyday expenses here often exceed what guideline support calculations anticipate. When standard guidelines don't reflect the real costs of raising children in this city, we help you advocate for support that matches Austin's economic reality.

Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment

Austin's entrepreneurial culture means many parents own businesses or work as independent contractors. When income isn't a straightforward W-2 salary, determining accurate child support requires digging into financials to ensure the other parent isn't underreporting what they earn.

Dual-Career Households

When both parents maintain demanding careers with significant incomes, child support calculations can become more complex. We help you navigate these situations to ensure your children benefit appropriately from both parents' financial resources.

Whatever complexities your situation involves, our Austin child support lawyers have the experience to guide you through with intelligence and care.

What If You Already Have a Child Support Order?

Life changes. The support amount that made sense two years ago might not fit your family's current reality. If circumstances have shifted significantly, you may be able to modify your existing order.

Texas allows child support modifications when there's been a "material and substantial change in circumstances." Common situations that may justify modification include:

• The paying parent's income has increased significantly

• Either parent has experienced job loss or involuntary income reduction

• Your child's needs have changed (medical issues, educational expenses, extracurricular costs)

• The custody arrangement has shifted, affecting how much time each parent has

• The number of children being supported has changed

• Three years have passed and the current order differs from guideline calculations by 20% or $100

Here's something important: modifications only take effect from the date you file your request. Courts don't adjust support retroactively. If you need increased support, waiting costs you money every month. Our team works swiftly to help you pursue the modification you need.

Our Approach: Fighting Smart for Austin Families

At Hembree Bell Law Firm, we believe in achieving fair outcomes as efficiently as possible. Dragging out legal battles serves no one, least of all your children.

We pursue reasonable resolutions when the other parent is willing to cooperate. Clear communication, smart negotiation, and a focus on what actually matters often produces better results than extended courtroom warfare.

But we're not naive. Some parents refuse to pay what they owe. Some hide income, underreport earnings, or simply don't prioritize their children's needs. When that happens, our Austin child support lawyers are prepared to advocate fiercely on your behalf. We bring strength to the courtroom while never losing sight of your ultimate goal: making sure your children are provided for.

Why Austin Families Trust Hembree Bell Law Firm

Our founder, Hannah Hembree Bell, built this firm to be the kind of legal support she wished she'd had during her own divorce—a team that combines legal skill with genuine compassion for what families are going through.

We've earned recognition from Forbes, Texas Monthly, and Super Lawyers Rising Stars. But what matters most to us is the trust Austin parents place in us when they're worried about providing for their children. We show up for that trust every single day.

With a tech-forward approach including an online client portal and paperless systems, you'll never be left wondering what's happening with your case. We believe in empowering you with knowledge and clarity at every step.

Your Children Are Counting on You. Our Austin Child Support Lawyers Are Here to Help.

There's nothing wrong with wanting the other parent to step up and provide for your children fairly. You're not being difficult. You're not being greedy. You're being a good parent who wants their kids to have what they need.

At Hembree Bell Law Firm, our Austin child support lawyers are ready to walk beside you through this process, helping you secure fair support so you can focus on what really matters: being the amazing parent your children already know you are.

Call today to schedule your free case evaluation. You're stronger than you think—and we're ready when you are.