Child Support Enforcement
In Texas, parents are required to support their children financially until the child reaches the age of 18 or stops attending high school. If the child is disabled, this obligation will extend into adulthood. Texas law provides a variety of solutions for when a parent refuses to comply with the court’s child support order. These options include:
Houston Child Support Enforcement Attorneys
If you have questions regarding the enforcement of your child support agreement in Houston or the surrounding areas of Harris, Montgomery, Waller, Fort Bend, Grimes, and Washington Counties, call one of our family law attorneys in Houston to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case. Our attorneys are always happy to answer your questions, and a consultation costs nothing.
Child Support Enforcement Information Center
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Your Options Regarding Child Support Enforcement
In Texas, parents are required to support their children financially until the child reaches the age of 18 or stops attending high school. If the child is disabled, this obligation will extend into adulthood. Texas law provides a variety of solutions for when a parent refuses to comply with the court’s child support order. These options include:
- Withholding of Earnings: The court may order that up to 50% of the parent’s take-home pay be withheld
- Contempt: If found to be in contempt, the noncompliant parent could face a $500 fine, up to 6 months in prison, or both. This option is usually not available if your support order is from a state other than Texas.
- Suspension of State Licenses: The court could order that the parent’s driver, professional, and hunting and fishing licenses be suspended
- Withholding State Contracts, Grants and Loans
- Monetary Damages
- Liens on Property
It is important to note that child support is completely separate from visitation rights. You cannot refuse to comply with a visitation schedule simply because your ex-spouse is late on their child support payments, and your ex-spouse may not refuse to pay child support simply because you have not complied with the visitation schedule. Taking matters into your hands can only complicate matters and make things more difficult, so always consult with an attorney before you take action regarding your divorce agreements.
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Modifying a Child Support Order
Sometimes a parent finds that he or she can no longer feasibly comply with the court’s child support order. This is usually because their circumstances have changed dramatically. Texas law provides a way to have the support order modified legally. Simply withholding child support is never an effective or legal option.
If you feel you can no longer afford your child support payments, or your payments are unreasonable, you should talk to our attorneys about filing a Motion to Modify with the court.
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Non-Compliance and an Out of State Ex
If the other parent is no longer living in Texas and is delinquent on their child support payments, you have options. You may be able to have their out-of-state employer withhold income for you, or you may be able to file your Texas Child Support Order with the other state. Filing your Order with the other state will help you get all of the remedies available to you in Texas.
You should discuss the specifics of your situation with your attorney, including whether the other parent is living out-of-state.
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Wilhite & Lea, P.C. | Texas Child Support Enforcement Lawyers
Working to enforce the conditions in a child support agreement isn't something you have to do alone. The attorneys at Wilhite & Lea, P.C. are dedicated to ensuring that the best insterests of you and your child are prioritized throughout the course of your case. If you are in Houston and Harris County, including: Spring, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Tomball, the FM 1960 area, North Houston; and Montgomery County, including: Conroe and The Woodlands; as well as the surrounding counties of Fort Bend, Grimes, Waller, and Washington, contact us today to speak directly with one of our attorneys about your case.