Some counties actually require it, but for the most part the Judge that is trying the case will decide whether parents of minor children have to attend parenting classes.

Keep in mind that there are several different kinds of parenting classes with differing styles and focuses. For example, while some classes focus primarily on the children, others are more geared toward the parents. The price range for these courses can range from $30 to $75 and they typically last anywhere between 4 hours and 15 hours.

A child doesn’t get to decide which parent they visit or when. That’s determined and ordered by the court, and you are bound by the court ordered visitation schedule. If you don’t turn your child over to the non-custodial parent for their scheduled visitation, the court may hold you in contempt and you could face fines or jail time. However, you do have the right to go back to court and request that the visitation be reviewed or amended if you feel it’s not appropriate.

In most divorce cases involving children, Texas courts consider both parents to have a relatively equal say in raising and caring for the children. This is known as joint managing conservatorship, or JMC, for short. Typically, however, the child or children will reside with just one of the parents for the purposes of school, and the other parent will get visitation with the child and usually pays child support. If the parties involved cannot come to a mutual agreement of where the child will live, the Judge will decide for them.

To be granted a modification in your custody agreement, you must be able to prove that a substantial change has taken place which significantly affects the child’s stability. This would be things like a geographical move, substance abuse or neglect. Either parent may file for a custody modification, but they must be able to prove to a court that it is in the child’s best interest. However, it’s not necessary to prove substantial change in circumstance in requests for temporary modifications.

Probably not. Texas law recognizes that a child has a right to know both of his or her parents. Also, Texas courts want to make sure that children are supported and cared for. This is why they always try to do what’s in the “best interest of the child.”

Unless there is another person that wants to adopt your child, it’s unlikely that a judge would grant a termination of parental rights.

The monthly net income is the monthly gross income minus federal income taxes, state income taxes, social security taxes, and union dues.

If the monthly net income is greater than $7,500 after this calculation, then you can reduce it to $7,500. ($7,500 is the maximum monthly net income for the purposes of Texas child support calculations.)

If the person paying child support only has children by this marriage, Texas child support will be calculated as follows:

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

The percentages will differ from those stated above if the parent who will be paying child support has children from other marriages or relationships.

Let’s work through an example.

We’ll assume your gross salary is $4,000 a month, your federal withholding is $275 per pay period and your social security withholding is $250 per pay period. For the example, we’ll say you have 2 children and no other children from other relationships.

Your monthly net income would be $3,475 ($4,000 – $275 – $250). Since you have 2 children, your monthly child support obligation would be 25% of your net income.

In this example, your child support payment would be $868.75 per month.

You can start a divorce when you’re pregnant, but you won’t be able to finalize the divorce until the baby is born or the pregnancy otherwise ends. Texas Judges won’t finalize your divorce as long as you’re still pregnant because they want to establish child support obligations. They’re going to act on what’s in the best interest of the child.

You can always file for divorce and be ready to finalize it soon after the baby is born. Keep in mind that you’ll still have to wait 60 days.