Legal remedies for unpaid child support in Texas

Child support is a legal obligation for parents to contribute to their child’s basic needs, including food, shelter and education. However, some parents may fail to fulfill this obligation. If that happens, the other parent and the child may face financial difficulties. Fortunately, Texas law ensures that every child gets the support they need even after their parents’ divorce.

Legal remedies available

There are various legal remedies available to enforce child support orders in Texas. The most common methods include:

1. Filing a motion for enforcement
2. Seeking assistance from the Office of the Attorney General

The motion for enforcement notifies the court that the parent is not complying with the child support order. It asks the court to enforce the order.

On the other hand, the Office of the Attorney General has the authority to enforce child support orders in Texas. The office can assist parents with legal action to enforce the order.

Enforcement of child support orders

Here’s what can happen when a parent takes legal action to enforce the child support order:

• Wage garnishment:The court can order the non-paying parent’s employer to withhold a portion of their wages to pay for child support. Doing so ensures that child support payments are made directly from the parent’s paycheck.
• Suspension of license and passport denial:If a parent falls behind on child support payments, their driver’s license, professional license or any other type of license may be suspended. They may also lose their passport privileges until they catch up on payments.
• Seizure of property:The court can order the seizure of property, such as a car or a house, to pay for child support. However, this is usually a last resort. It may only occur if other enforcement methods have failed.
• Contempt of court:If a parent repeatedly fails to pay child support, they may be held in contempt of court and face fines or even jail time. It is a serious legal consequence that can result in significant financial and personal repercussions.

Enforcing child support orders is crucial to ensuring children receive the financial support they need to thrive. Don’t forget that paying child support is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility to support your child’s well-being.