Bastrop, TX Child Support Lawyers
HEMBREE BELL LAW FIRM
We protect your kids, your money, & your business.
If you're a parent in Bastrop trying to make sure your child support order actually reflects what your family needs, our Bastrop child support lawyers at Hembree Bell Law Firm are here to help you get a fair outcome and move forward with clarity.
Key Takeaways:
Texas uses a percentage-of-income formula to calculate child support, but the final amount can be adjusted based on your family's specific circumstances.
Child support covers more than basic living expenses — medical costs, childcare, and other necessities are all part of the equation.
Hembree Bell Law Firm brings decades of collective experience to Bastrop families who need knowledgeable guidance on child support orders, modifications, and enforcement.
You've sat down and run the numbers. You're doing the math in your head — rent, groceries, school supplies, the kids' after-school program — and you're trying to figure out how a child support order is going to fit into all of it.
Whether you're the parent who will be paying or the parent who needs to receive, you want to know that what ends up on paper is actually fair. That's a completely reasonable thing to want, and it's exactly what our Bastrop child support lawyers are here to help you get.
At Hembree Bell Law Firm, we work with parents throughout the Bastrop area who are navigating child support for the first time, pushing back on an amount that no longer fits their reality, or trying to get payments that were ordered but never actually arrived.
Our award-winning team brings decades of collective experience and a genuine commitment to helping families land on outcomes that actually work in real life. Book your free case evaluation today to get started.
How Texas Calculates Child Support: What the Numbers Actually Mean for You
A lot of parents come to us assuming child support is purely up to the judge. In Texas, the starting point is actually a percentage-of-income formula set by state guidelines, and understanding how that math works puts you in a much better position going in.
The paying parent's net resources are the baseline. Texas law looks at the obligor's (paying parent's) monthly net resources — income after taxes, Social Security, and certain other deductions — and applies a percentage based on the number of children. One child is 20%, two children is 25%, three is 30%, and so on up to five children at 40%. These percentages are the starting point, not necessarily the final word.
Additional expenses are layered on top. The base formula covers day-to-day living costs, but Texas courts also address medical support separately. Health insurance coverage for the children is typically required, and unreimbursed medical expenses are usually split between parents according to a set percentage. Childcare costs related to employment can also be factored in, so the total financial picture is often more involved than the headline percentage suggests.
Judges have discretion to deviate from the guidelines. If applying the standard formula would produce an amount that's clearly unjust given your family's specific situation, the court can deviate from it. Relevant factors include the child's educational or medical needs, any travel costs related to the custody arrangement, the amount of time each parent spends with the children, and the resources available on both sides.
Our experienced Bastrop child support lawyers help you present the full picture so the order that comes out of this process is one you can actually live with.
When the Order No Longer Fits: Understanding Modifications and What Triggers Them
Child support orders aren't meant to be permanent fixtures. Life changes, and the order is supposed to change with it, but that doesn't happen automatically. You have to ask.
A material and substantial change in circumstances is required. Texas courts won't modify a child support order just because one parent feels the amount is inconvenient. There has to be a meaningful change in circumstances since the order was last set.
Common qualifying changes include a significant increase or decrease in either parent's income, a job loss, a new child the paying parent is now legally responsible for, a change in the custody or visitation arrangement, or a change in the child's medical or educational needs.
Modifications aren't retroactive. This is one of the most important things to understand about child support in Texas: a judge cannot go back and change what was owed before you filed. The modification only affects what's owed going forward from the date of filing.
If your circumstances have changed and the current order is creating hardship, waiting to act only costs you more. Our skilled Bastrop child support lawyers can help you determine whether your situation qualifies and get the process moving quickly.
Agreement between parents is an option, but it still needs court approval. If both parents agree that a change makes sense, you can present a modified agreement to the court for approval. This is often the fastest route. If one parent objects, the case will need to go before a judge, and both sides will have the opportunity to present their positions.
Why Bastrop Child Support Lawyers at Hembree Bell Law Firm Get Results for Families
Lived experience, not just legal training - Our founder, Hannah Hembree Bell, went through a divorce herself and built this firm specifically to give families the kind of thoughtful, grounded legal support she wished she'd had. That perspective shapes everything about how we work.
Tailored strategy from the start - We don't build a plan until we understand your goals. What matters most to you, what you're worried about, and what a realistic outcome looks like for your family. Those conversations happen before any strategy is formed.
Clear, consistent communication - You won't be left wondering what's happening with your case. Our team keeps you informed at every step, and we're genuinely accessible when you have questions.
A broader support ecosystem - Hembree Bell Law Firm is connected to the My Confident Divorce ecosystem, which means our clients have access to resources that address the emotional and logistical dimensions of family transitions, not just the legal ones.
Decades of collective experience in Texas family law - Child support, modifications, enforcement, and everything in between — our team has handled it, and we're ready to put that knowledge to work for your family.
Ready to get clarity on what you're entitled to? Book your free case evaluation and connect with our Bastrop child support lawyers today. Your family's future is worth getting right.