Will I Have to Pay More Child Support if I Get a Raise? | TX

 Posted on September 09, 2024 in Child Support

One of the most commonly debated issues that comes up when parents divorce is child support. There are legal procedures to help them figure out which spouse will have to pay and how much the payments will be. Of course, like all aspects of the divorce settlement, this arrangement will be calculated based on the facts at the time of the divorce.

If either parent’s circumstances change later on, they might wonder whether this would also mean a change in their divorce decree. For example, if you are the paying parent and you lose your job, will you be able to stop making those payments? What if you get a promotion and a nice raise? Will your child support payment reflect this, with anything extra you earn going straight to your child’s other parent? If you have questions about how changes in your life might lead to modifications in your child support payments, speak with a qualified Denton, TX child support attorney to learn more.

When Can Child Support Agreements Be Modified?

If your ex discovers that you have gotten a raise, it does not mean they can automatically demand that you pay them more child support. There is a procedure to follow for child support modifications, with two important aspects:

• The non-paying parent needs to submit the request. There might be a clause in your divorce settlement requiring you to inform each other if either of you gets a raise. If not, you are not obligated by law to inform her about your new salary. However, if she finds out about it, she is entitled to begin a process to request higher payments. That still does not mean you will be required to pay what she asks for, which brings us to the next important aspect.

• All requests must be made through the court. Your ex cannot directly demand that you pay more. Instead, she needs to submit a formal request to the court, which will review the information and make a decision. Merely getting a raise is not necessarily enough for the court to make you pay higher amounts. For example, if this request is submitted after several years of your employer giving you an annual raise, you might be issued a new amount to pay that reflects how your income has increased since the divorce. If your raise was based on a cost of living adjustment, it would not mean a significant change in your lifestyle and might not result in a modified child support amount.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Denton, TX Child Support Lawyer

If you have been given a raise, your ex might demand you pay more in child support. An experienced Denton County, TX divorce attorney can help you navigate this process while keeping you informed of your rights, ensuring that any modification is made by the court rather than your child’s other parent. At The Law Office of Linda Risinger, we are passionate about helping families move forward and getting our clients the best outcomes. Call us at 972-294-6533 to schedule a free consultation.