HOUSTON FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE ATTORNEYS
TEXAS 2007 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
The Texas legislature made some significant changes in 2007 with respect to Texas family law. Effective as of September 1, 2007, all cases filed on or after this shall adhere to these changes. Please contact our Houston Divorce Lawyers at the LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN TUAN PHAM. for a detail consultation regarding these issues. Among the number changes, some of the most significant modifications are as follow:
Child Support Modifications
Although the percentage of child-support remains the same, the ceiling for such limit raised from $6,000 to $7,500 of the net resource (income) of the obligor, the non-primary custodial parent. In addition, the number will change every 6 years to reflect the rate of inflation. Further, if the obligor is paying for health insurance for the minor child (children) in a joint policy, then a pro-rata of the expenses shall be calculated to determine the amount of child support. Finally, child support enforcement for arrearages is increased from 6 months to 2 years after the child turned 18.
Suit Affecting The Parent-Child Relationships
From September 1, 2007 moving forward, grandparents and relatives within the third degree have “standing” in filing a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR). IN addition, that standing continues for 90 days after the termination of parental right. Further, the standing rights include the rights to request the court to terminate the parent-child relationship and for adoption, including foster parents and adopted parents of the siblings.
Conservatorship, Possession, and Access to the Child
The 2007 legislative changes provide that if the court finds the agreed parenting plan is not in the child's best interest, the court may request the parties to submit a revised parenting plan. If the parties do not submit a revised parenting plan satisfactory to the court, the court may, after notice and hearing, order a parenting plan that the court finds to be in the best interest of the child. The notice and hearing requirements restrict the court’s ability to make changes to the agreed parenting plan. With respect to possession and access to the child, the non-custodial parent now has access to the child immediately after school hours during school and after 6:30pm on the Friday through Sunday of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekends of the month. Further, grandparents have the right to possession of the child while the non-custodial parent is away in the military.
There are other legislative changes other than those stated above. You are encouraged to contact the Houston Child Support Attorneys and the Houston Child Custody Lawyers at the LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN TUAN PHAM. for further information. Our Houston Child Support Lawyers and our Southwest Houston Child Custody Attorneys will assist you in determining the amount of child support, as well as negotiate a fair and equitable parenting plan that is in the best interest of your child (children). The Houston Child Support Lawyers and the Harris County Divorce Attorneys can be reached at 713-517-6645.
DISCLAIMER
Please DO NOT rely on the information above to replace a personal consultation with our Houston Family Lawyers and our Houston Divorce Attorneys. There may be other legal issues, depending on the fact and circumstances, in which we have not had the opportunity to discuss in this article. Every case is unique and requires our Houston Child Custody Attorneys and our Spring Family Law Lawyers to review and to provide a personal consultation. Please contact our Montgomery and Harris County Divorce Lawyers at 713-517-6645 or complete our Online Contact Form.
Serving Clients in Houston, West Houston, Southwest Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Copperfield, Memorial, Spring, Northwest Houston, Northchase, Spring Cypress, Champion Forest, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Humble, Lake Houston, Midtown, Memorial, West Oaks, Royal Oaks, Clear Lake, League City, Westchase Business District, Harris County, and Galveston County.