McKinney Child Support Lawyer
Experienced Child Support Attorney Serving Collin County, TX
Child support is a financial obligation mandated by the court, ensuring that both parents meet a child’s basic needs following a divorce or separation. In McKinney, as in all of Texas, child support is integral to family law and is designed to safeguard the child's well-being and quality of life. Child support is neither optional nor an obligation based on parental desires but a child’s right to benefit from both parental incomes as they would have if the family had stayed together.
At Petitt Family Law, we are legal advocates for parents and children in ensuring that Texas children impacted by separation, divorce, or lack of marriage get the benefit of the financial support they need and deserve. If you need legal help in securing, contesting, enforcing, or modifying fair child support obligations, our highly experienced family lawyer can help.
Get your confidential consultation with our McKinney child support attorney by calling (469) 716-6893 or use our convenient contact form to get started.
Understanding Child Support in Collin, Denton, & Dallas Counties
The primary benefit of child support to children of divorce, separation, or whose unmarried parents do not live together is to provide them with the financial resources necessary for their upbringing. It helps cover food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, and other necessities. This ensures that the child doesn't experience a drastic shift in lifestyle or lack the means for proper growth and development when families split apart.
In Texas, the parent who spends less time with the child, commonly called the “noncustodial” parent, is generally required to pay child support. This payment is made to the custodial parent, who primarily cares for the child's day-to-day needs. It is usually presumed that the custodial parent supports the child through direct spending while under their care.
Key Guidelines for Texas Child Support
The amount of child support is determined through guidelines defined by the Texas Family Code and enforced by the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The guideline amount is typically a percentage of the noncustodial parent's income, depending on the number of children to be supported and other factors. For instance, payment is generally 20% of the payer's net resources for one child.
The Attorney General’s Office provides a monthly child support calculator to help parents calculate payments. The amounts determined under these guidelines are typically deemed the correct payment.
However, instances can occur when the support could be higher or lower than the guideline amount. Factors such as the child's age, needs, ability of the parents to contribute, educational expenses, and any proven financial hardship can influence the final amount. Judges have discretion in determining child support and can deviate from the guideline if they deem it in the child's best interest.
How Child Support is Enforced in Texas
The Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General handles child support matters in Texas. They work closely with various entities, including employers and community organizations, to enforce child support orders.
Where a parent becomes delinquent in supporting a child, enforcement actions can be filed in the family law courts. Courts can impose such methods as wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of licenses, or even jail time for non-payment.
Modifying Child Support Orders in Texas
Child support orders can be modified after they are issued. However, to modify a child support order in Texas, you must prove a significant change in circumstances. This might include a substantial increase or decrease in either parent's income, changes in the child's medical insurance, educational expenses, or custody arrangements.
Why Choose Petitt Family Law for Your Child Support Needs?
When navigating the complexities of child support, having a dedicated and experienced legal team by your side can make all the difference. At Petitt Family Law, we understand that each family's situation is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized legal solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Here’s why our clients in McKinney and surrounding areas trust us with their child support cases:
- Expertise in Local Laws: Our attorneys are well-versed in the child support regulations specific to Collin, Denton, and Dallas Counties, ensuring that you receive informed guidance throughout the legal process.
- Compassionate Representation: We recognize that child support matters can be emotionally charged. Our team approaches each case with empathy and understanding, prioritizing your family's well-being.
- Transparent Communication: We believe in keeping our clients informed every step of the way. You can expect clear, honest communication about your case status, options, and potential outcomes.
- Proven Track Record: Our firm has successfully represented numerous clients in child support cases, achieving favorable outcomes that prioritize the best interests of children.
- Comprehensive Support: Beyond child support, we offer a full range of family law services, ensuring that all aspects of your case are addressed cohesively.
Choosing the right legal representation is crucial for your family's future. Let us help you navigate the child support process with confidence. Contact Petitt Family Law today for a consultation!
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"Excellent, professional and knowledgeable staff."Excellent, professional and knowledgeable staff. Always ready to serve your family law requests.- Ross
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"Smart, quick, and thorough."Melody Petitt handled my case quickly and thoroughly. I was so happy with her dedication to keeping my family and I safe and getting the proper legal measures in order. She was able to get my Protective Order filed and eventually won while keeping me informed and confident through the whole thing. I would highly recommend her to anyone.- Anonymous
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"Simply the best lawyer I have ever had."Simply the best lawyer I have ever had. I have had the pleasure of having her work on my case for a year. She is full of information and guidance. She is not afraid to tell you if what you think is a bad move and direct you in the right direction. She will not let you down.- Anonymous
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"Melody was easy to work with, listened to what I had to say, and helped me navigate a complicated divorce."Melody was easy to work with, listened to what I had to say, and helped me navigate a complicated divorce. Her knowledge of the law made it easy to feel confident in our case. She was very professional and could not have been more thorough. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great attorney who is willing to fight for you.- Taylor
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"Melody is the attorney who took the bull by the horns."
You don’t know what you don’t know. However, you do know when something is not working out. With that said, I went through a couple of attorneys before being represented by Melody Petitt and that made all the difference.
I will start off saying that the divorce process is like a game. And the law is the rule book, which is a constant that does not change. Where the game gets interesting are the players involved, petitioner, respondent and legal team. Every case is unique, yet some attorneys approach the process as if it’s all the same. However, in my case, we were dealing with a high conflict personality; and, it cannot be taken lightly. Unlike my prior attorneys, Melody jumped on my case and took the time to really understand my situation and what we were dealing with. She took the time to educate me on the law and how it applied in my situation, whether it was something I wanted to hear or not. The law is the law. She knew how to deal with the opposing party. Strategy was the key, and she was prepared for anything. She earned my trust and with that trust, she help make this process tolerable. Most importantly, she was able to get my case wrapped up in a timely manner with a desirable outcome. An outcome that would not have been possible otherwise. I highly recommend Melody Petitt.
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"Melody saved my case."When Melody took over my case, it was going nowhere, the previous attorney had done nothing for months but allow opposing counsel to stall, allowing my case to become dormant, luckily that attorney left the firm. When Melody took over she immediately began filing motions, requesting documents that previously had been denied. The outcome of my case was not all I’d hoped for, but Melody made sure I was able to maximize and make the best out of a bad situation. She was always honest, forthright, and meticulous in her handling of the case. She even pushed for the firm to credit my account for work that the previous attorney had not completed. If you want integrity, honesty, and hard work, definitely hire Melody Petitt as your counsel.- Tomas
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"Melody is a great family lawyer."Melody and the firm’s staff gave us excellent assistance in our successful effort to gain custodial control of our grandson. She guided us through the process, timely filed all documents and gave us great representation in the court proceedings.- Steven
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"She was an excellent partner through the whole process."Melody handled my case with care & logic. She challenged me when I was leading with emotional rather than logic, and understood when she needed to pull back. She was an excellent partner through the whole process, and I have already recommended her to others.- Anonymous
Why Choose Petitt Family Law?
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Hundreds of Satisfied ClientsWork with a dedicated law firm with positive reviews from happy clients.
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20+ Years of ExperienceAttorney Melody Petitt has over 2 decades of family law experience.
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Start with a Quick & Easy ConsultMeet with Petitt Family Law during a virtual consultation!
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Family Law Is All We DoOur law firm focuses all of our practice on family law.