Texas Child Support Info please?

Question

My husband is currently paying child support monthly for his other child, never missing a payment. Has been from day one. He is a spectacular father. The problem is this. I am a stay at home mom of two children we have together, ages 3 and 1 year. Working would be out of the question because my check would go strait to child care no doubt. We are military, and have made due as we can. We have elminate debt here and there, doing what we can with what we have. And for those who are military know, we don't really make that well considering. Our two children here often go without, shopping good will only, budgeting tightly on groceries (macaroni type budget), sacrificing fun for our children where needed, and even going without ourselves. It is hard for us nonetheless, and not completely due to the child support payment, but most of it yes. It is set at almost $300 month, and to us, that would do so much for us here at home! We understand his other child is in need as well, but that much?

Answer 1

If he's just got one kid who doesn't live with y'all, he should be paying, at most, 20% of his net income.

Answer 2

$300 isn't that much if you consider that if he was living with his other child he would be financially doing even more for that child.  He could ask for an adjustment if his income is lower or the mothers income is higher but rarely do they make the adjustments.  I know it is hard, my ex was paying $400/month for one child when we had our first son and that money would have helped us but he had another child he needed to be providing for too.  He no longer pays support for that child but he does pay support to me for our two boys and it is $400/month for both boys.  His exgirlfriend kept complaining because she felt he was paying to much childsupport so it was affecting his life so he couldn't pay his bills.

Answer 3

It won't matter how the mother is doing finacially as the child is both their responsibilities. Also the court always goes by first born receiving the money first , then second and so forth. To the courts it is if you couldn't handle another child finacially then you shouldn't have had another.. it is harsh .. but at the same time .. your husband is getting off pretty good .. $300 a month for his child is cheap. I know fathers that don't make alot and pay $150 a week. My husband and I are part time military so I understand that you don't make tons of money .. but unfortunately until his child is 18 he needs to support his child. It isn't only up to the mother to care for the child finacially. As for visitation he can fight her for visitation rights. But for the support , I can almost guarantee they will not lower it and yes it very well could be put higher.