2 Galleria Tower
13455 Noel Road, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75240
Telephone: (972)980-8000
E-Mail: JerryMelton@jerrymelton.com

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Texas Principles of Child Support:

Either or both parents may be ordered to make periodic, lump-sum, or both type of child support payments. There are official child support guidelines set out in the statute and these are presumed to be reasonable and in the best interests of the child. The factors for consideration are:

• The age and needs of the child;
• The ability of the parents to contribute to the support of the child;
• Any financial resources available for the support of the child;
• The amount of possession and access to the child;
• The net resources of the parent to pay support, including the earning potential of the parent to pay support if the actual income is that parent is significantly less than what that parent could earn, if intentionally unemployed or underemployed
• Any child care expenses necessary for the employment of either parent;
• Whether a parent has custody of another child and any child support expenses being paid or received for the care of another child;
• The amount of alimony being currently paid or received; 
  Provisions for health care;
• Any special educational or health care needs of the child;
• Any benefits a parent receives from an employer;
• Any debts or obligations of a parent;
• Any wage or salary deductions of the parents;
• The cost of traveling to visit the child;
• Any positive or negative cash flow from any assets, including a business or investments
• Any provisions for health care or insurance;
• Any special or extraordinary educational, health care, or other expenses of the parents or the child;
• Any other relevant factor. 

The court may order health insurance coverage to be provided for the child. In addition, the court may order income withholding to secure the payment of child support. 

[Texas Codes Annotated; Family Code, Chapter 154.001-154.309].