Child support is a legal obligation that parents in Texas are required to pay in order to provide for the financial needs of their children. When one parent is unemployed or has a low income, the court will still expect them to contribute to their child’s support. However, the process for determining child support in these situations can be more complex.
In Texas, child support is determined using a guideline formula that takes into account the income of both parents, as well as the number of children and the cost of raising them. The formula also considers factors such as the child’s age, health, and special needs. The court will typically use this formula to calculate the non-custodial parent’s child support obligation.
When a parent is unemployed or has a low income, the court may use their earning potential as the basis for determining child support. Earning potential is based on a parent’s work history, education, and skills, and is used to estimate the amount of money that the parent could earn if they were employed. The court will also consider whether the parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
In some cases, a parent may be unable to pay child support due to a disability or other extenuating circumstances. In these cases, the court may consider the parent’s disability or other factors in determining child support. However, the court will also expect the parent to make every effort to become self-sufficient and to provide support for their child.
It’s important to note that the court will also expect both the parents to be financially responsible for their child. Even if the non-custodial parent is unemployed or has a low income, the custodial parent will also be expected to contribute to the child’s support.
It is also important to note that if the non-custodial parent is unable to pay the child support, they can file a petition to modify the child support order with the court, if they can prove that there has been a material change in circumstances since the last order was issued.
In Texas, the court may also order the non-custodial parent to participate in job training, education or job search programs, as well as require them to provide information about their employment status and earning potential to the court. The court may also take steps to enforce child support orders, such as withholding the non-custodial parent’s wages, intercepting their tax refunds, or revoking their driver’s license.
In conclusion, child support is a legal obligation that parents in Texas are required to pay in order to provide for the financial needs of their children. Even if a parent is unemployed or has a low income, the court will still expect them to contribute to their child’s support. The court may use earning potential as the basis for determining child support and may also consider extenuating circumstances such as disability. If the non-custodial parent is unable to pay the child support, they can file a petition to modify the child support order with the court.