Hays County, TX · Free Consultation
San Marcos, TX Child Support Lawyer
A child support order is not permanent. When life changes — a new job, a lost job, a change in the children’s needs — SMB Law, PC helps San Marcos parents modify an existing order so it fits reality again. A San Marcos child support lawyer can show whether your change in circumstances meets the Texas standard for a modification before you file. Shane has been licensed since 2003 and personally handles support modifications for Central Texas parents.
San Marcos families, including many tied to Texas State and seasonal work, see income swing up and down, and an order set years ago can drift badly out of line with what a parent can actually pay or the children actually need.
Where a San Marcos child support modification is handled
San Marcos is the Hays County seat, so a modification is filed and heard at the Hays County Government Center on South Stagecoach Trail, right in town.
When a support order can be changed
Texas lets you modify child support in two situations: when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances — a significant income change, a new child to support, or a shift in the parenting arrangement — or when it has been at least three years since the order and the guideline amount would change by either 20% or $100. Until a court signs a new order, the old amount still controls, so a handshake agreement to pay less is dangerous. We move promptly to get a San Marcos order formally modified so the change is enforceable and arrears do not quietly pile up.
Working with us from San Marcos
Our office is about 30 miles north in downtown Austin. We handle most San Marcos modification matters by phone, video, and e-signature.
At SMB Law, PC you work directly with attorney Shane M. Boasberg, who has represented Texans for more than two decades. We explain things in plain English, give you a plan instead of more stress, and keep you informed from your first confidential consultation through final resolution.
Why clients choose SMB Law, PC
- Direct attorney access — you talk to Shane, licensed since 2003, not a call center.
- Honest advice — if a fight is not worth the cost, we say so.
- Transparent fees explained before you commit.
What working with us looks like
- Confidential consultation to understand your goals and the law that applies.
- Strategy and records tailored to your situation.
- Negotiation or court — we settle when we can and litigate when we must.
- Resolution implemented correctly so you can move on.
Child support in a college town
Texas guidelines set support as percentages of net income — 20% for one child, 25% for two — with medical support on top, enforced through the Hays County courts in San Marcos. The college-town wrinkle: when a parent is a student or underemployed, courts can base support on earning capacity rather than current income.
A San Marcos family-law issue often connects to others, so we also handle a child custody dispute, modifying an existing order, and spousal maintenance — how we handle child support cases explains our approach.
Frequently asked questions
Can child support be set if the other parent is a student?
Yes — courts can base support on earning capacity, not just current income.
When can I change my child support amount?
When there is a material and substantial change in circumstances, or when it has been three years since the order and the guideline amount would change by at least 20% or $100.
Can my ex and I just agree to pay less?
Not safely. Until a court signs a modified order, the existing amount controls and unpaid support becomes arrears. Any agreement should be made into a formal order.
Where is a San Marcos modification filed?
At the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos, since the city is the county seat.