Know Your Legal
Numbers

Most states use the Income Shares model, which starts with a combined income figure and applies a guideline schedule to determine a basic support obligation. That obligation is split proportionally based on each parent's income share. Adjustments are made for custody time, health insurance, and childcare. Texas uses a simpler Percentage of Income model: 20% of the paying parent's net income for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three.

A fair settlement covers all economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future medical costs) plus non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is typically calculated at 1.5x to 5x your economic damages depending on severity. Settlements are also affected by your percentage of fault, insurance policy limits, and jurisdiction.

A common guideline is one year of alimony for every three to four years of marriage. A 12-year marriage might result in 3–4 years of support. Marriages under 5 years rarely result in alimony. Marriages over 20 years may result in permanent or long-term support. Most rehabilitative alimony ends when the recipient remarries or reaches financial independence.

Personal injury attorneys work on contingency — they take a percentage of your settlement rather than charging upfront. The standard rate is 33% for pre-trial settlements, 40% if the case goes to trial, and sometimes 45% on appeal. Some states cap contingency fees by statute. Case expenses are additional and may be deducted before or after the attorney's percentage depending on your agreement.

Missing the statute of limitations is almost always fatal to your claim. The defendant will file a motion to dismiss and the court will grant it regardless of the merits. Exceptions are narrow — the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment. If you are close to a deadline, consult an attorney immediately. Government entities often have even shorter notice requirements, sometimes as short as 60–180 days.

Yes. Child support orders can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — typically a significant income change of 15–20% or more, a change in custody, or changes in the child's needs. You must petition the court; you cannot unilaterally change the amount. Unpaid child support accrues as a judgment and can result in wage garnishment, license suspension, and jail.