Fort Bend County Child Support

Child Support Attorney in Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County’s Child Support Team: Focused, Strategic, & Ready to Act

Since 2013, Kersh Law Firm, P.C. has served families across Fort Bend County and the Greater Houston Area with focused family law representation. Our Sugar Land office gives Fort Bend County parents direct access to a team that handles child support from initial order through modification and enforcement. Whether your case arises during a divorce, a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR), or through the Texas Office of the Attorney General, we bring both mediation and litigation capability to every matter we handle.

We concentrate our practice on family law, which lets us operate at a higher strategic level in support cases rather than dividing attention across unrelated areas of law. When child support matters intersect with protective orders or criminal allegations, our criminal law background provides an added perspective. We prioritize clear, consistent communication so clients understand what’s happening at every step, and we offer competitive pricing with flexible payment options to make quality representation accessible.

If you need a child support attorney in Fort Bend County, contact Kersh Law Firm, P.C. today at (936) 297-5016 to schedule a consultation.

How Texas Calculates Child Support

Texas child support is based on the noncustodial parent’s net monthly resources, not gross income. The distinction matters. Net resources start with all income sources, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and retirement benefits, then subtract federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, union dues, and the cost of the child’s health insurance premiums. Because Texas has no state income tax, no state tax deduction applies.

Guideline Percentages & the Net Resources Cap

The guideline percentages under the Texas Family Code are straightforward:

Guideline percentages by number of children:

1 child: 20% of net monthly resources
2 children: 25%
3 children: 30%
4 children: 35%
5 or more children: 40%

Effective September 1, 2025, Texas raised the net resources cap from $9,200 to $11,700 per month. For orders established or reviewed on or after that date, the guideline percentages apply to net resources up to $11,700. Income above that cap isn’t automatically included in the base calculation. If the paying parent has children in other households, the applicable percentage may be reduced under a separate statutory formula.

Deviations & the Best Interest Standard

Courts can deviate from guideline amounts when circumstances justify it. Factors that may support a deviation include the child’s age and particular needs, extraordinary medical expenses, and costs for educational or extracurricular activities. The controlling standard is the best interest of the child. One important point: child support and visitation are legally separate. Under Texas Family Code Section 154.011, a parent can’t make child support payments conditional on access to the child, and withholding visitation doesn’t excuse nonpayment.

What a Texas Child Support Order Covers

The monthly payment is only one part of a complete child support order. Texas courts also address health coverage and medical cost-sharing. When employer-sponsored insurance is available to the paying parent, the court typically requires it to be used for the child. Both parents are generally ordered to share unreimbursed medical expenses beyond what insurance covers.

Payment mechanics matter just as much. Child support in Texas is processed through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (TXCSDU) rather than paid directly between parents. Wage withholding is the default method: the paying parent’s employer deducts the ordered amount from each paycheck and remits it to the TXCSDU, which then disburses to the receiving parent. A court can order a different payment method, but it requires a specific finding. Child support obligations generally continue until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Any unpaid arrears continue until fully satisfied.

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The People Behind the Practice

A team committed to clear communication.

Our Fort Bend County Child Support Attorneys

The attorneys at Kersh Law Firm, P.C. bring decades of combined family law experience to every child support matter we handle. Shane Kersh, Christian Landry, and Amy Abbott lead the firm’s family law team, each contributing a distinct perspective that allows us to collaborate internally on strategy rather than relying on any single viewpoint.

Amy Abbott brings nearly a decade of dedicated family law experience to her cases. She’s known for pairing genuine compassion for clients navigating difficult circumstances with assertive advocacy when the situation calls for it.

Shane Kersh represents Fort Bend County clients throughout the region. His approach reflects the firm’s broader commitment: focused representation, clear strategy, and honest communication from start to finish.

Together, our team fosters a family-friendly, non-judgmental environment. Personal financial details and parenting disputes are deeply sensitive, and we treat them that way. Clients leave our consultations with a clearer picture of their situation and a concrete sense of what to do next.

Modifying & Enforcing Child Support Orders in Fort Bend County

Circumstances change. A job loss, a significant pay increase, a shift in custody, or a change in the child’s needs can all create grounds to revisit an existing order. Texas law allows a modification when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the last order, or when at least three years have passed and the current amount differs from guideline calculations by at least 20% or $100. We handle modification proceedings for Fort Bend County clients on both sides of that question.

Enforcement Tools Under Texas Law

When a paying parent stops meeting their obligations, Texas law provides several tools: wage garnishment, contempt of court, suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses, and passport denial. An enforcement motion must generally be filed in the court of continuing jurisdiction, the court that last issued an order in the case. Fort Bend County’s IV-D Child Support Court handles many of these proceedings within the county.

Our approach to both modification and enforcement is assertive. We don’t wait for the other side to act or for the situation to worsen. We move quickly and deliberately on behalf of our clients.

Start Your Child Support Case with a Consultation

Whether you need to establish a new order, seek a modification, or pursue enforcement, our team can help. We serve Fort Bend County families from our Sugar Land office and offer competitive pricing with flexible payment options to keep quality representation within reach.

Don’t navigate this process alone. Call Kersh Law Firm, P.C. at (936) 297-5016 to schedule your consultation with a Fort Bend County child support attorney.

Fort Bend County Child Support Courts and Local Process

Fort Bend County has a dedicated Title IV-D Child Support Court, Court No. 9, presided over by the Honorable Daniel D. Stavinoha. Located at the Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond, Texas, the court works closely with the Texas Office of the Attorney General to establish, modify, and enforce child support orders. Understanding how it operates and how it differs from the general family district courts matters before you file anything.

Family law matters in Fort Bend County are also heard in the 328th, 387th, and 505th District Courts, all in Richmond. The right venue depends on how your case originated and which court holds continuing jurisdiction over your child support order.

Procedural Details Fort Bend County Parents Should Know

Financial Information Sheets: All parties must file and exchange Financial Information Sheets before any contested hearing where child support amounts are at issue. Failing to complete this step correctly can delay your hearing date.

Scheduling and Hearings: Hearings are scheduled through the court coordinator, and most require prior communication with the coordinator before a motion is filed. Knowing local expectations and courthouse procedures can affect how smoothly your case moves forward.

Payment Processing: Child support payments in Fort Bend County are processed through the Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit (TXCSDU), not paid directly between parties. The Fort Bend County Child Support Administration manages local case records for cases not handled by the Texas OAG.

Familiarity with these courts and procedures is part of what our team brings to Fort Bend County child support cases. Local knowledge shapes strategy at every stage, from the initial filing through contested hearings.

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Support Through Life's Transitions

Practical Legal Guidance When It Matters

Thoughtful Legal Strategy
We help clients evaluate practical paths forward, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Our goal is to provide steady guidance during emotionally complex situations.
Supportive Environment
We aim to create a calm and organized process for clients navigating family law matters. From consultation through resolution, our team focuses on clarity, preparation, and responsiveness.

Clear Communication
Clients receive straightforward explanations and regular updates throughout their case. We prioritize helping individuals understand their options so they can make informed decisions.
Multiple Office Locations
With offices in Pearland, Sugar Land, and Angleton, we make family law representation accessible to clients across the region. Clients can meet with our team at a location that fits their needs.

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Client Stories and Perspectives

See how clients describe their experience navigating family law & criminal law matters with our firm.

"Excellent Communication from Start to Finish"
I had an excellent experience with Kersh Law Firm. From start to finish, their communication was outstanding. They kept me informed every step of the way and were very detailed in explaining everything that was happening throughout my case.
Everyone I worked with was professional, easy to talk to, and always available to answer my questions. At no point did I ever feel like I was being brushed off. They took the time to listen, made me feel heard and understood, and genuinely cared about my concerns.
I highly recommend Kersh Law Firm to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate legal team. They made a stressful process much easier, and I'm truly grateful for their support.
________________________________________________________
Sugar Land, TX.

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Thank you the Kersh team, I appreciate the professionalism and all the help you all provided.

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I truly appreciate each and everyone in their law firm as they went above and beyond every time. Thank you!

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I HIGHLY RECOMMEND and can't thank you guys enough. You all have been a complete blessing to me and Daddy.

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They gave me the best advice and kept me updated through the whole process of my divorce.

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They always treated us as family & were a pleasure to work with.

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Kersh Law Firm provided magnificent services. They executed the plan spoken of during my consultation.

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My experience with the staff at Kersh Law Firm was so far above anything I could have ever hoped for.

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