Texas House Bill HB358

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the grounds for modification of a child support order.

Impact

The implications of this bill are significant for family law and child support proceedings in Texas. By allowing modifications based on smaller differences in support amounts and a shorter waiting period, HB358 enables parents to adapt to changing financial situations more readily. This is particularly important in cases of job loss, change in income, or significant changes in the child's needs. The law seeks to align child support orders more closely with current financial realities, providing parents with greater flexibility and responsiveness in fulfilling their obligations.

Summary

House Bill 358 focuses on the modification of child support orders in Texas. The bill modifies Sections 156.401 and 233.013 of the Family Code, specifically outlining new criteria under which a court can modify existing child support orders. The key changes include reducing the timeline required for modifications from three years to two years and adjusting the threshold for modifications based on changes in support amounts from 20% to 10% or from $100 to $50. These changes aim to make it easier for parents to seek adjustments to their child support obligations as circumstances change.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB358 appears to be positive among advocates for child welfare and family law reform. Supporters argue that the bill represents progressive steps toward adapting family law to reflect the realities of modern life. However, there may be some contention from parties who believe the adjustments could lead to increased disputes over child support modifications or concerns about the lower thresholds leading to more frequent modifications. The bill's proponents emphasize that the overall goal is to benefit children's welfare and ensure support is more adaptive to their needs.

Contention

While there are benefits to the streamlined modification process outlined in HB358, critics might raise concerns about its potential to encourage frivolous modification requests or create an incentive for non-custodial parents to seek reductions in support obligations. Additionally, there could be worries about how these changes might affect custodial parents' financial stability, especially if the modifications become too frequent and disruptive. Balancing the need for fair child support obligations with the need for stable financial support for children remains a critical challenge in the discussion around this bill.