Austin Family Law Attorney

Decisions made in fairness, not anger

Family law is one of the most emotionally stressful areas of the law. Dueling family members often make decisions in anger, affecting the future of husband, wife, and children.

Do not let that happen to you.

Consult with John L. Mendez, Attorney at Law, a compassionate family law attorney who will fight for what is fair for you and your loved ones.

Practice areas

John L. Mendez answers your questions about child support and child custody

How is child support calculated?

The state of Texas has specific guidelines for calculating child support. Click here to access them. A set of formulas determine the amount, taking the non-custodial parent’s income and the number of children into account.

I am the non-custodial parent. How do I make a child support payment?

You can make your payment through the state registry. Your payment automatically forwards to the custodial parent. The system also provides a record of your payment.

I am not receiving child support payments. What should I do?

Both parents have an obligation to support their children with food, clothing, shelter, education, and other necessary things to live. Texas law dictates this. That means you may need to file or modify an existing agreement through a Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship to ensure child support payments.

What factors does the court consider in awarding child custody in Texas?

Above all else, the court considers the best interests of the child. It also looks at:

• Joint custody between the child’s parents
• Visitation arrangements for the non-custodial parent
• The child’s primary residence
• Educational, religious, and medical decisions for the child
• Any history of violence between the parents or between parent and child

What is joint custody?

Joint custody is when both parents share parental rights, duties, and powers. The court designates one parent as the custodial parent, who is responsible for establishing the location of the child’s primary residence.

Contact John L. Mendez, Attorney at Law, dedicated to compassionate treatment

For your child support and child custody matters, contact John L. Mendez, Attorney at Law, an empathetic lawyer who insists on your fair treatment. Simply contact us online or call 512-478-3363. We offer flexible hours, parking, and are conveniently located near mass transit. Se habla español.