Family Law Attorney In Round Rock Handling Post-Divorce Modifications
Life changes, and court orders for custody or support may need updates. At Winnie A. Bates, Attorney at Law, our modifications attorney helps parents adjust orders to support their kids. Seeking a change is ordinary and necessary.
With over 25 years in Texas family law, our Round Rock modifications attorney guides you through post-divorce modifications with care.
What Is A Substantial Change?
Texas law requires a material and substantial change in circumstances to change a custody, support or visitation order. Examples include:
- A parent’s income changes, such as a job loss
- A parent relocates, affecting the parenting schedule
- A child’s medical or school needs change
- A child (over the age of 12) shares their living preference
- A parent remarries or lives with someone new
- Proof of neglect or unsafe conditions
A modification attorney checks if your case meets filing requirements and files a petition for modification. If approved, the court updates the order for the child’s best interests.
Changes And Timeline
Custody in Texas covers conservatorship (legal decisions) and possession and access (visitation). A custody modification might change:
- Who decides the child’s primary home
- The visitation schedule for weekends or holidays
- Rules for supervised visitation
Courts focus on the child’s best interests, considering the child’s wishes, the stability of each parent’s home and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. The modification timeline varies – agreed-upon cases may resolve quickly, while disputed cases often take several months. Temporary modification orders may address urgent situations.
Can I Change Child Support?
A significant income change, like a job loss, may justify a child support modification. Texas bases support on income per the Texas Family Code. Reasons include:
- A child support increase or a child support reduction
- Changes in health insurance
- Supporting more or fewer children
- Support differs by 20% or $100 from the guidelines
You must file a petition and attend a modification hearing. Changes start upon court approval. We also help with modification enforcement if the other parent does not comply.
Call Us For Modification Support
Don’t let outdated orders limit parenting. Contact a modifications attorney for a free consultation. Call us at 512-877-6255 or visit our contact page.