Use the Texas Statutes to answer these questions.
Jennifer and Ted are getting divorced. They both live in Texas. Jennifer has hired your firm to represent her in the divorce proceedings. Jennifer and Ted have two children, Max (9) and Susan (14). Ted works for a local distribution company. Ted has been out of work occasionally and did not work for 6 months in 2006. He has held two jobs in 2007. He has worked for this company for 4 months. He makes $12.35 per hour. He is eligible to purchase insurance for the children at a rate of $150.00 per month. He does not belong to a union. Jennifer is a paralegal for a local law firm. She has worked for the firm for 5 years and currently earns $55,000 per year. Jennifer and Ted have agreed that Jennifer will get physical custody of the kids and Ted will get standard visitation. Answer the following questions about the child support that will likely be ordered by the court.
1. What is Ted’s gross annual salary?
2. What are Ted’s gross monthly wages?
3. What is Ted’s net monthly income?
4. Can Ted’s net monthly income be reduced further for child support calculation purposes? By what amount?
5. Calculate the monthly child support Ted will be required to pay. Show and explain your work.
6. If Ted remarries, can the income of his spouse be considered when calculating child support?
7. How does Jennifer’s income affect the child support calculation?
8. Can the child support order contain a provision for a reduction in child support after a certain event? What event?
9. When will Ted’s child support obligation end?
10. Can Jennifer refuse to let Ted see the kids if he does not pay?