Pflugerville, TX Child Support Lawyers
HEMBREE BELL LAW FIRM
We protect your kids, your money, & your business.
A child support order is only useful if it reflects the current reality of your life, which is why our Pflugerville child support lawyers help parents establish accurate orders, enforce what's owed, and modify arrangements when circumstances shift.
Key Takeaways:
In Texas, child support does not automatically update when your income or custody arrangement changes — you have to initiate the modification process yourself.
When a parent fails to pay, Texas has meaningful enforcement tools, including wage garnishment, license suspension, and contempt of court proceedings.
Our Pflugerville child support lawyers at Hembree Bell Law Firm guide receiving and paying parents through every stage of the process with clarity and care.
Here's something a lot of parents don't realize until it's already costing them: child support in Texas does not update itself. The order that was set two years ago, when your income was different or the custody schedule looked different, is still the order today unless you go back to court and change it.
That number stays locked in place regardless of what's happened since, which means a lot of families are either receiving less than they should be or paying more than fairly reflects their situation.
If something has shifted for your family, our Pflugerville child support lawyers at Hembree Bell Law Firm can help you figure out what options are available to you. We work with parents on both sides of the equation: those who are trying to get a fair order established, those who need an existing order modified, and those who are dealing with a co-parent who simply isn't paying.
We're straightforward about what the process looks like, and we put decades of collective experience into making sure you get to the other side of it in a position you feel good about. Book your free case evaluation with our team today.
What Pflugerville Parents Need to Know When Establishing a Child Support Order
Whether you're going through a divorce or a custody case involving unmarried parents, child support is almost always part of the picture. Getting the initial order right matters because that number becomes the baseline for everything that follows.
Texas uses a guideline formula, but it's not the only input.
The state's percentage-of-income guidelines give the court a starting point based on the paying parent's net monthly resources. For one child, that's typically 20% of net income. For two children, 25%. But the actual order can account for more than that baseline, including health insurance coverage, childcare expenses connected to employment, and other costs specific to your children's needs.
Our knowledgeable Pflugerville child support lawyers help you make sure all relevant factors are part of the conversation before an order is finalized.
Both parents' financial pictures matter.
Texas courts consider the resources available on both sides when determining a fair arrangement. If the paying parent has children from another relationship they're already supporting, that affects the calculation. If the receiving parent has a significantly higher income, that can come into play as well.
The goal is an order that genuinely supports your children without producing a result that's financially unsustainable for either household.
Getting the order right from the beginning saves significant headaches later.
Contested support disputes take longer, cost more, and produce less predictable outcomes than cases where both parents can agree on a fair number. Where agreement is possible, we work to help you get there. Where it isn't, we're fully prepared to represent your interests before a judge.
When Payments Stop — or When the Order Needs to Change
Two of the most common reasons parents call our team are unpaid support and outdated orders. Both are worth taking seriously, and both have real legal remedies.
Enforcement options are available and meaningful. Texas law gives courts real tools to hold non-paying parents accountable. Wage garnishment, in which support is withheld directly from a paycheck, is one of the most effective. The Texas Office of the Attorney General also has authority to suspend driver's licenses, professional licenses, and passports for parents who fall behind.
If the situation is serious enough, a parent who willfully refuses to pay can even be held in contempt of court, which can mean fines or even jail time. Knowing these options exist is important; having an attorney help you pursue them efficiently is even more so.
The modification standard is "material and substantial change.” To modify an existing child support order, you'll need to show the court that something significant has changed since the order was set.
This doesn't mean minor fluctuations in income or small scheduling adjustments. It means meaningful, documented changes: a layoff, a major pay increase for the other parent, a significant shift in the custody arrangement, a serious change in the child's needs, or three years having passed since the last review.
Our dedicated Pflugerville child support lawyers can help you assess whether your situation meets the threshold and guide you through the filing process from start to finish.
What Working With Our Team Looks Like
When you come to us with a child support matter, here's what to expect: we start with a thorough conversation about your situation and your goals. From there, we assess your options honestly — including whether a modification is likely to be granted, whether enforcement action makes sense, or whether a negotiated resolution between parents is possible.
We handle the legal filings, keep you informed as the case progresses, and prepare you for any hearings. You're never in the dark about where things stand. See more about how we approach family law cases on our website.
Why Parents Trust Our Pflugerville Child Support Lawyers at Hembree Bell Law Firm
Accessibility and communication you can count on - A child support issue touches your life every month. You deserve a team that's easy to reach, gives you straight answers, and doesn't leave you guessing about your own case.
No one-size-fits-all approach - Every family's financial situation is different. We take time to understand yours before we recommend anything.
Experience on both sides of the situation - We represent both paying parents who need a modification and receiving parents who need enforcement. We understand the full picture in a way that makes our counsel more practical and grounded.
A team that genuinely cares about outcomes - We're not just looking for a legally correct resolution. We're looking for one you'll actually feel good about a year from now, and we have the track record to back that up.
Ready to take the next step? Book your free case evaluation with our Pflugerville child support lawyers today. The sooner you act, the more options you have.