It’s no secret that the cost of living continues to rise in Texas and across the United States. In today’s society, families often need two incomes just to make ends meet. But what about the parents who are newly divorced or separated? How can single parents financially provide for their children? Fortunately, this is exactly why the state of Texas established the system of child support.
What is child support?
Child support refers to a recurring payment made by one parent to the other parent intended to meet the economic needs of the child. Child support is usually paid from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. Also, child support is not contingent on the parents having been married. Regardless of the circumstances, the primary objective of child support is so that parents can split the financial responsibility of raising their kids.
What should child support money be used for?
In general, child support payments are designed so that the children’s standard of living can be maintained and all their basic economic needs are supplied. Child support money is not to be used for the custodial parent’s own expenses. Money from child support payments should be used for things such as shelter, food, clothing, school, and extracurricular activities like sports or summer camps.
Child support laws can be complicated, confusing and vary depending on the state. Sometimes, child support issues may arise that are not easy to handle. Parents in Texas who have questions or need guidance with child support or child custody matters may want to consider contacting a legal professional. A knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney can clarify the legalities surrounding child support and offer advice specific to the client’s situation.