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When it comes to child support in Austin, TX, the parent that is considered the primary caregiver or custodial parent receives a specific amount from the non-custodial parent to help cover the child's expenses. There is a formula used to determine how much the parent should pay, but what if the custodial parent needs more money to cover the expenses? What if the non-custodial parent can't afford the amount that he or she has been asked to pay? In that case, you can work with your attorney to request a hearing with the judge to adjust the amount. Here are some tips for preparing for the hearing: Be Communicative The lawyers involved in the case, along with the court, will send you letters and emails before the hearing takes place. Make sure that you check your email and mailbox on a regular basis. When you get the letters, open them immediately. If you don't understand something that was said in the letters, contact your lawyer and ask for an explanation so you know what is going on and what you should be prepared to deal with during the hearing. As you're reading the correspondence, find out if you're expected to respond. If you need to respond to something, do so right away. Don't put it off. If you need help determining what to say, contact your lawyer for assistance so you don't say or do anything that could decrease your chances of getting the results that you want at the hearing. Be Prompt On the day of the hearing, it's important to be there on time to make a good impression with the judge. You don't want to be stuck in a traffic jam or get lost trying to find the courthouse or room where you're meeting that day. Show up early, so you can use the extra time to meet with your lawyer and just relax before the hearing begins. More likely than not, your hearing won't start on time, but it's best not to take the chances. Show up early and use the time to mentally prepare yourself. Be On Topic During the hearing, you may be tempted to discuss custody issues. Maybe the arrangement isn't working out, and you would like to change it. This is not the time to bring up those issues. You need to stay on topic. You are meeting to discuss child support, so keep the discussion centered on money. Be Honest Bring accurate information about your earnings and your needs. If the other parent isn't providing accurate information, speak up and let the judge know. If you need to, call witnesses who can attest to the accurate information or back up what you're saying about your needs. Your attorney can help you determine the right course of action to take to prove the claims that you're making. Be Realistic Review the state's guidelines for how child support is calculated. Know what you should expect, and have realistic expectations. If the non-custodial parent isn't making a lot of money, you can't expect for him or her to pay more money. If the custodial parent is struggling to cover one child's medical bills or other financial needs, you may have to pay more to help out for a little while. Be realistic and reasonable with your expectations as you head into the hearing. When determining child support in Austin, TX it's important to think about the children involved. You want to help your children get the financial support that they need to live their lives as normally as possible. On the other hand, you need to protect your needs and make sure that both parents are doing their part financially.
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