Child support ensures children get financial help from both parents. But, getting these payments is not always easy, especially if the noncustodial parent is uncooperative. In Texas, the Office of the Attorney General enforces child support orders. In this blog, we address some of the measures you can take.
The role of the attorney general’s office
The Office of the Attorney General is key in enforcing child support in Texas. They do more than enforce payments. They help by finding noncustodial parents, establishing paternity, and adjusting support orders when needed. Consider consulting an experienced attorney to explore your legal options on this matter.
Finding noncustodial parents
Finding the noncustodial parent is often the first step. Certain information can help this process. Useful details include the parent’s name, address, employer’s name, Social Security number, and date of birth. Knowing the names and addresses of their friends or relatives also helps. The more information you have, the easier it is to find the noncustodial parent and secure support.
Collecting overdue child support
If a noncustodial parent does not pay, Texas has several ways to collect:
- Wage withholding: employers can take child support directly from the parent’s paycheck.
- Intercepting funds: the state can take federal tax refunds, lottery winnings, or other state or federal money.
- Liens on property: the state can place liens on the parent’s property or assets.
- License suspension: authorities can suspend driver’s, professional, and hunting or fishing licenses if the parent owes more than three months of support.
- Legal action: the state can sue the noncustodial parent, and a judge might even send them to jail.
Child support enforcement is crucial for children’s well-being in Texas. By knowing the various enforcement options available, custodial parents can secure the financial support their children need.