How to Pay Child Support in Texas

When deciding how much a parent will pay in child support in TX and in what amount, the court looks at the non-custodial parent’s income and comes up with a reasonable child support order. It also decides how often the support payments will be made.

In some cases, the parents themselves negotiate a child support amount and payment plan. This gives them more freedom to create a plan that works for them. In either case, a child support order is legally binding once it is approved by a judge.

Some Child Support Payment Options

Per §154.003 of the Texas Family Code, the manner of child support payments may be periodic payments, annuity payments, or lump-sum payments. In some cases, parents may set aside property that’s administered to provide support for the child. A combination of payment methods may be allowed in some cases.

Most commonly, support is paid periodically; either by the week or the month. Many parents find this the easiest method when determining how to pay child support in TX because it’s fairly simple to keep track of and manage,

An annuity is a fixed sum of money paid every year. An annuity is not a very common form of child support in TX, but may be the best option for some parents depending on their job situations and other circumstances.

A lump-sum payment may be a good choice for a parent who has a large amount of resources at his/her immediate disposal. With a lump sum child support payment, the custodial parent will need to be responsible with the money and plan for its use over a long period of time.

Get Help from a Skilled Texas Attorney

Texas law allows various types of child support in TX, and parents can work out amongst themselves which form may work best for them. If unable to reach an agreement, a judge may rule regarding how to pay child support. An attorney can represent parents when creating an agreement or if the case goes to family court.