When you’re going through a divorce or dealing with another type of domestic legal concern, you can’t rely on what you hear from friends or read online. Only an experienced family law attorney has the knowledge and insight you need to make well-informed decisions. Even if you faced a similar issue a few years ago, it’s important to consult with a qualified lawyer, because legal standards can change significantly over time.
In Texas, several important adjustments to family law provisions went into effect over the past year. Some of the changes include the following:
- Extension of the child support scale — Under state law, child support orders are typically based on a scale that considers the combined income of both parents. Previously, the scale was capped at a combined monthly income of $9,200 (approximately $110,000/year). Now, the scale goes up to $11,700 a month (approximately $140,000/year). This means that the total baseline financial obligation for parents whose combined income meets or exceeds the cap will increase by $500 per month.
- Limits on reunification therapy — Some contentious custody matters trigger allegations that one parent is trying to turn their child against their former partner. One response to this is reunification therapy, which sometimes involves preventing a son or daughter from contacting the parent they prefer in an effort to rebuild their bond with the purported victim of parental alienation. While reunification therapy is still legal in some cases, it is now heavily restricted, and practices such as no-contact orders and mandatory counseling with an allegedly abusive parent are prohibited.
- School-choice authority in custody orders — Prior to the passage of House Bill 2495, Texas parents with a sole managing conservatorship had the general authority to make decisions about where their son or daughter attends school. Now, the law explicitly states that these parents have the right to choose a particular school for their child, and to enroll them there.
Whether you’re just about to start the legal divorce process or are subject to a child support order that has been in place for years, the attorneys at Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP, are ready to assist you. We can advise you of the latest developments in Texas family law and discuss how they affect your case. Call us at 940-230-2386 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at one of our offices, located in Denton, Flower Mound and Gainesville.
