Child Support ? - Houston,TX

It's going to depend on what the divorce or child support papers say. If you need any clarification I would suggest you talk to a family attorney.

The divorce decree will state when the support ends. Usually on the 18th Birthday.

Since she is pregnant, sh should go now and request child support for her baby by the babies father. Get that set up now.

I would call the attorney generals office. Also, alot of attorney's will talk to you for free on the first consultation but have your questions ready. In my divorce papers it states 18 or graduates, which ever is the latter. Has your stepdaughter stopped going to school? I would definately make some calls. Please don't get me wrong though, your husband is responsible to pay his support, however I do understand the games that some ex's will play for the almighty dollar.

Best of luck

L.,

For as long as it takes. I know this may sound harsh and may be a little hard for you, but put yourself in her mom's shoes. Let's say you end up in the same situation: divorced with children. You will expect your children's father to pay child support for as long as it takes. You married a man that fathered a child and he has obligation to a child that he may or may not like or love. Regardless of their relationship, he is still obligated to support this child until she graduates from High School or sometimes, even college. If she does not choose to graduate, this may warrant a trip back to his attorney to find out what his child support arrangement may be. Either way, she is and will always be his daughter and she is going to be the mother of his first grandchild. I would recommend a family counselor for all of you so that you may begin to mend this broken family and prosper in a relationship with his daughter and her upcoming gift from God. I wish you the best and I wish you love.

Hi L.
What a situation for your step daughter. I think I would look carefully at the wording in our husbands divorce decree- normally they state at age 18 or until graduation from high school...if she quits because of her situation that should relieve your obligations..
good luck and blessings

This is usually spelled out pretty clearly in the child support order. The standard in Texas is the age of 18 or graduation from high school, whichever occurs later. If they marry or get emancipated before 18, that also ends support. Unfortunately, unless she emancipates, he can be held liable for child support until she does. Her pregnancy could be considered a physical impairment. If doesn't graduate by the age of 19, you may have to go back to court to terminate the order.

I just have to say regardless of her mother's proclivities or how the child treats her father, it is his responsibility to pay the support as ordered. Don't get me wrong, it seems clear that you have been, but there seems to be some resentment because he "is the only one that pays".

My ex is always behind, I manage, but I also know how important the money can be to the custodial parent...even if it is a partial payment.

Is your step-daughter going to keep her baby or put it up for adoption? I would pay her whatever it would take to get her to put it up for adoption, for hers and the baby's sake. Call it a bribe - who cares. I'd also offer to pay for her college, trade school, life coach, counseling, whatever it would take to convince her. The hard thing is that she is on track to live her mother's life. I would talk to her about how she has the choice to live a different life and can make something of herself and give her baby the best gift anyone could possibly give it - a loving 2-parent home. You can stop this cycle and become a positive, loving influence in her life.

At the end of the day the parents whether they are together or not are both the ones who are held accountable for the upbringing and education of their children. Whether it's 18 or graduation,your husband is still her father and will always be and have that bond with her. By you mentioning that your stepdaughter's mom has had three other children with different fathers that don't pay their child support does not make a difference because your husband is still her father and is still going to be responsible for her. If he doesn't like the way she speaks to him, then he should let her know and they should talk about that amongst themselves. I can certainly understand that you may be frustrated because you have to deal with this because it's from baggage your husband brought with him into your marriage, but if you think about it the poor girl made some wrong choices but think if you would have been in her shoes would you be scared, confused, and worried about how to provide for the baby which has no fault at all. I hope you all work it out and for the sake of all your family. Remember you can pick your husband but you can't choose their family and you can't erase any decisions made in their past. Good luck.

You need to see what the divorce decree says.

Sometimes it is written that by the 18th birthday or whenever the child graduates from high school, whichever is last. This way the supporting parent continues to support the child while he/she is still in school because many children turn 18 while they are still in their senior year of high school. And then there are those who failed a year or two, and remain in school for a little longer.

I have a nephew who did not graduate high school until just about age 21, and my brother had to continue support of his son until then. The child does have to be enrolled in school and be in good standing - attending, making grades, etc.

Your stepdaughter is going to need more than financial support though. I hope she and her dad find a bond eventually. Many teens don't interact with parents very well, and hopefully your husband understands this is probably a phase she will outgrow. Resenting her won't help; he is the adult and should try to give her his unconditional love.

THere are several issues in this situation, obviously, but to answer your question, "How long do we have to pay child support?", it is stated in the divorce/court papers. If you do not have a copy, you can get one from the courthouse where it was done. Also, each state is different so that is a factor. Having a daughter who had to go to summer school to complete a credit, I had to pay until she had her diploma, present diplome to the courts and then get court orders sent to my employer to stop sending it to the courts. If support is not ordered to be paid through your employer, which it usually is, you still must go through courts. Shame on the fathers who do not support the others and why isn't anyone standing up for these children? It is usually about power play on adult parts. Stand up for the children or get them to address the courts against their dads.

Sorry this is so long!

You will want to check with a FAMILY LAW attorney. The attorney we used for child support issues was:
Ira L. "Shine" Morgan III
2515 Broadway, San Antonio, TX
###-###-####.
He ONLY practices FAMILY LAW. Let him know what the situation is, he'll let you know if he can help you in Houston from here. If he doesn't work long distance or if you can't travel here, ask if he could recommend a family law attorney in your area. I trust Mr. Morgan with just about anything having to do with this. He makes sure it is fair to everyone, my husband and his daughter.
***Nobody in my family has EVER been employeed by or associated with Mr. Morgan financially. We are just VERY HAPPY clients of his.***

You'll need to read the child support papers carefully. It depends on the wording: It could say "age 18 or graduation whichever comes second" or some thing else.

For my husband it read that it was until each child's 18th birthday UNLESS they were still in high school, well just the word "school" but in Texas it is not mandatory to pay for college unless specifically agreed and signed upon by the parent who agrees to pay. If either of his two children had dropped out before graduating high school then he would have had to pay only until they turned 18 and then it ALL stops. Explain to the young woman, which she now definitely is, that Dad's monetary support is only mandatory until she graduates IF SHE STAYS IN SCHOOL. If she drops out (un-enrolls from school) the money only lasts until she turns 18.

If there is a college tuition agreement that he signed he may still have to pay as long as she is ENROLLED in college or GRADUATES from college, depending on how the lawyers worded it. If it says "GRADUATES from college", then he needs a lawyer to get a CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION (child support change) because if she drops out she's not going to college any time soon and he'll still be paying support "until she graduates".

Bottom line: If she drops out BEFORE 18, he still pays child support. If she drops out AFTER 18 but BEFORE GRADUATION the child support NORMALLY stops.

His ex CAN fight for him to continue to pay child support after she DROPS OUT AFTER 18 but it may cost her more in attorney fees than she will collect in child support for however many months, after dropping out, are left until graduation IF the court sees it her way, which I doubt.

BTW, if she chooses to MARRY the father, then ALL CHILD SUPPORT STOPS because she is no longer a CHILD but is a LEGAL ADULT and has been EMANCIPATED (legally separated from her parents) and is now responsible for herself.

If she does NOT marry the father, MAKE SURE SHE GETS A CHILD SUPPORT AND VISITAION ORDER so that the Baby's father supports HIS child. It's not fair for her to support a child alone that she didn't make alone. EVERY FATHER SHOULD SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN! I know you know this already, but there are a lot of single mom's who need to be told or reminded that their children deserve support from BOTH parents.

Congratulations on your Grandchild, even though the timing of this blessing was sooner than you expected!

Hope this helps someone.

If it turns out that it stops when she turns 18 yrs of age, please take the time to discuss the issue with her and if possible, support her until she graduates. Maybe let her know that you will continue to help her if she continues her education (finish high school) and if she chooses to drop out, then the support stops.

Keep the Peace!

E.

Have a lawyer go over the court documents that specify the child support agreement. This will give you a legal answer to your question and make it easier to convey the reasons for no longer paying child support.

According to the AG website, 18 yrs old or until the child graduates high school, whichever the later. I'm sure if she drops out, then 18 would be the date. But, keep in mind, dad has to request the discontinuance of child support, much in the same way as the custodial parent requests a review for child support modification. It's not automatically dropped.

You have gotten a lot of good answers here. I cannot answer anything about child support, but I can give you a focus to think of as you all go thru this.

First, try to think of the baby and your step daughter's future as priority #1. Is it better that the step daughter take her time in graduating and finding a career / good job selection for her rather than rushing it and making a mistake? If she had more time, even if that meant more months of child support, it would be worth it in the long run so she could develop some independence and life skills!

Secondly, is it best for the baby to be raised by her or be given up for adoption? I am sorry that it sounds harsh, but the track record of good strong family ties is not evident. You said the oldest of 4 by 4 different fathers. Perhaps this is NOT the right time for a baby to stay in this family until people grow up and become very responsible. Again, I am sorry ---I do not mean it to sound harsh.

One of my friends in high school got pregnant at the beginning of our Senior year. She went away to an "aunt's house" until the baby was to be delivered. The plan was to give the baby up for adoption, and she could return to school to finish and get her GED.
She delivered the baby when she was 18 years old and 4 months. She changed her mind in the hospital and kept the baby. She could not return to high school, her father had a stroke a couple weeks after the baby was born and, in desperation, she started dating a new guy. Who beat her. She could not get a job and her parents could not support her b/c of the stroke disability. It was such a bad situation.

It took her 3 years---until she was 21-- to graduate high school, get a GOOD job, take care of her child and dump the abusive boyfriend. She told me when she was 25 that she should have gone thru with the adoption.....her child would have witnessed so much less pain and suffering that way.
I know this is not every teen mom's story, but my friend made me promise to tell others, whenever I could, about the blessing that adoption can bring to all involved.

"Paying till she is 18 is his duty but beyond that because you moving to different districts and losing credit because of your mom shouldn't be our problem."

It's the dad's problem bc he is the father!! And therefore your "problem" bc your married to him.

What didn't you understand when you married him? He has to pay child support. He has deal with an ex bc of the child. He also has to be a father to the child!!

Read the divorce decree. If it's till 18 or graducation then there you go. BUT, if it also says that should she become pregant she is considered and adult you could go to court now to stop it.

But seeing that pregnancy is more expensive than child support, I think you are focusing your attention in the wrong direction.

Strong loving fathers make strong loving daughters.

A. B.

I am not sure about the child support issue but wanted to comment on your words and what I am getting from them. First of all child support in the payment scense is an issue that I am not familiar with so excuse me for replying but real child support, never ends. Just because this kid has siblings by other dads has nothing to do with her. She can not help her mom's past relations which include your husband, so at some point he must have either loved her or used her just like the other three fathers. What your husband and you are missing is that; 1) Maybe if he made sure he spent enough time with his daughter, she wouldn't be pregnant. 2) Parents usually get back what they put into relationships with their kids. 3) It should not be a big issue as to when the child support stops. You as a mother should know that our children need so much more than money and kids generally need our help beyound 18 years of age. If your husband is sulking over the way his daughter treats him and does not try to be more active regardless of what her mother may have been filled her head with, he's taking an easy way out. Real parents love their kids and if it is a broken home that
they have to deal with, they do. I guess I want to say, his daughter needs his support more than ever. His cutting off support and interaction with his daughter at this point would just confirm to his kid that he was a donor and not a dad. So to answer your question the CHILD SUPPORT ENDS WHEN EITHER THE PARENT OR CHILD IS BURRIED AND DEAD.

i was under the impression that at 18 you no longer paid child support. this is truly a legal advice question and i wouldnt go on what momma source had to say...although they give great advice. i hope your husband can keep the line of communication open with her. he might think she just comes around when she needs something but to her it might be a i can always count on my dad, not in a spoiled child way. good luck.

From what I've read, she will continue to receive support if she is being supported by her custodial parent. If she becomes emancipated then support will likely end.

It seems like, as long as she hasn't graduated and is still in school (hasn't actually dropped out) and is being supported by the custodial parent, he still owes child support until she's 18 AND graduated high school (unless your papers say differently). If she drops out, then things change, I believe.

Have you looked at the papers to determine this?

Good luck!

I was in the same situation you are in. (except my step-daughter is not pregnant). In the state of Texas, child support payments end when the chld turns 18 or graduates from high school (which ever one comes last). My stepdaughter graduated in May but didn't turn 18 until July. The child support ended after she turned 18.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Check the divorce papers see what they say.Most say til 18,some say til finishing collage.
But I think that at 18 not in school not married oh well....
on her own.

It is when she turns 18 or graduates, whatever comes first.

L.,

As far as I know, child support stops when the child turns 18. Check with your attorney or the Family Law Code for your state. If she has nothing, she will probably be eligible for welfare, etc.

I think it is 18 or graduated. If she drops out of school before or after she is 18, then you only need to pay until she is 18. Dropping out at any time for any reason should void your CS agreement once she is 18.

I'm not at all sure about how this might apply to your situation, but if I'm not mistaken, a pregnant woman (no matter her age) can be considered an emancipated minor in the state of Texas. In the case I found out about that, it had to do with whether or not her parents could force her to get an abortion (they couldn't), but it might have bearing in a child support case too. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

Your husband needs to review his child support agreement that was appointed by the court. In the agreement it should state weather the child support ends at age 18, or continues through high school graduation, college etc.

If he has any questions about the agreement he should consult an attorney. There is no set age, it would all be based on the agreement he signed.

As far as I know, once the chile turns 18, graduated or not, child support stops. But that is a question for the lawyer.

I just wanted to respond even though it's not about the length of your husband's child support obligation. It sounds like you are pretty resentful of the situation (how you included the fact that the mom has 4 kids by 4 different dads, nobody else pays child support, how she doesn't call, how she doesn't really talk you your husband-none of which is it all relevant to the child support payments, as another responder noted).

My parents divorced when I was 4 and they hated each other from then on. It really affected me and was very traumatic-not the divorce, but how they treated each other. I also did not feel like I was a part of my Dad's family he had with my stepmother and their children.

Your stepdaughter is not your husband's ex-wife, and the fact that his ex-wife has all these children by different baby daddies is not your stepdaughter's fault. The girl is still a baby herself. If she knows that your husband and/or you dislikes her mother and resents having to help support her or feels like whether you do or not is dependent on how much time she contacts or sees you, she is going to want to see you less.

Check in divorce decree and see what it states as far as child support goes. There is usually a time set. It may be when the child turns 18, but there are a lot of children that turn 18 while still in high school. The child support probably stops when the child graduates or turns 19 which ever comes first.

Not sure what state you're in but if you're in the state of Texas, the general rule is that you pay child support until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes first. As long as there is no back child support owed, he should be done with all that very soon. One is generally considered an adult once they have become a mommie. You or your husband can contact the Child Support agency and ask this question, without going into the case specifically. Just tell them that you would like to ask a general question and present this to them, for a more precise answer. The toll free number is 800-252-8014.