Collin County Child Support Lawyer

Child Support Representation for Collin County Parents

Child support disputes can arise after divorce, separation, or the end of a relationship when parents need to determine how a child’s financial needs will be addressed. Support issues may involve income, parenting arrangements, medical or educational needs, and the practical cost of raising a child.

Lisa Baker Canterberry, Attorney At Law handles child support matters involving:

• Establishing child support when no prior order exists
• Seeking to modify a prior agreement or court order
• Seeking to have an existing support order enforced when payments are not made

A parent’s first legal question may be whether support needs to be established, changed, or enforced. Clients work directly with Lisa Baker Canterberry, Attorney At Law, rather than associates or paralegals, to discuss the facts affecting their child support matter.

Select Contact us or call (214) 367-5026 for a free consultation with a child support attorney serving Collin County.

Who Pays Child Support in Texas?

Texas courts generally apply child support guidelines to the obligor’s net resources. An obligor is the parent ordered to pay support. The guideline amount is presumed to be reasonable and in the child’s best interest, but the court can consider relevant circumstances when that amount would be unjust or inappropriate.

The paying parent is not determined solely by a label such as custodial or noncustodial parent. Conservatorship arrangements, each parent’s resources, and the facts presented to the court can affect the support order within the broader parent-child relationship.

How Are Child Support Payments Calculated?

Texas child support guidelines begin with the obligor’s net resources and the number of children for whom support is being determined. Net resources can include wages, salary, tips, commissions, retirement benefits, severance pay, workers’ compensation, and other resources identified by Texas law.

Guideline percentages do not automatically resolve every case. Courts may also consider the child’s needs, each parent’s ability to contribute, childcare expenses, medical support, possession and access, and support obligations for children in multiple households.

Understanding Texas Child Support Guideline Schedules

For an obligor with monthly net resources of $1,000 or more, the standard Texas guideline schedule generally provides the following percentages for children before the court:

• 20% for one child
• 25% for two children
• 30% for three children
• 35% for four children
• 40% for five children
• At least 40% for six or more children

Guideline Calculations & the Number of Children

Texas also has a separate low-income guideline schedule for an obligor with monthly net resources below $1,000. That schedule generally starts at 15% for one child and increases based on the number of children before the court.

Additional rules apply when an obligor supports children in another household or has net resources above the statutory guideline cap. As of September 1, 2025, the Texas guideline cap is $11,700 in monthly net resources. A percentage table is a starting point, not a substitute for evaluating the financial circumstances in an individual case.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Child Support Decisions

Child support arrangements can be emotionally challenging for parents and children. Unclear obligations can make household budgeting and co-parenting communication more difficult, while a clear order gives parents information about the payment obligation and available legal steps.

Attorney Canterberry understands that family legal matters are personal. Her experience with the family legal process informs an empathetic, direct approach to discussing a client’s circumstances and the legal issues involved.

Can Child Support Be Modified in Texas?

A change in income, employment status, custody arrangements, or a child’s needs may warrant review of an existing support order. Attorney Canterberry guides clients through the modification process when their circumstances have changed.

Key reasons to consider a modification include:

• Change in Financial Situation: A significant change in either parent’s income may warrant a review of child support obligations.
• Changes in the Child’s Needs: Medical, educational, childcare, or living circumstances may affect the information presented to the court.
• Changes in Custody Arrangements: If fathers’ custody rights change, the change in possession and access may affect the support analysis.

A private agreement doesn’t necessarily change an enforceable support order without the required legal action. A child support modification requires the court to evaluate whether the legal standard for changing the existing order has been met.

Personalized Guidance for Your Child Support Circumstances in Collin County

Lisa Baker Canterberry, Attorney At Law has practiced law since 1991 and provides family law services across Collin, Denton, and Rockwall counties. The family-owned and operated firm gives clients direct access to Attorney Canterberry throughout the legal process.

No two families have the same financial circumstances, parenting arrangements, child-related needs, or history under an existing order. A child support lawyer serving Collin County can review those facts and explain the issues that may be presented to the court.

Call Attorney Canterberry today at (214) 367-5026 or select contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Discuss establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support directly with the attorney who can handle the case.