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Parents all across Texas are in the position to either pay or receive child support, whether they are divorced or were never married to the other parent. Child support is a critical resource that is intended to benefit the child by providing financial support to the custodial parent.
While it may be fairly simple for people to understand when they will be required to pay child support and how payments are calculated, there are many questions that come up during the process of creating a child support obligation
The frequency with which child support should be paid depends on the specific details of an individual situation. While there are some exceptions, most parents will pay support by either periodic or lump-sum payments. The money will generally be taken out of a person’s paycheck directly, though there are exceptions.
If a parent fails to make a payment, there are several consequences that may follow as means of enforcing the support order once a judgment for child support arrears has been ordered. One way to enforce is by garnishing anadditional amount of money from a paycheck that would be applied to child support arrears, or by garnishing a tax return or even lottery winnings and personal injury settlements. A delinquent parent could also have a driver’s license and/or professional license suspended or revoked.
The most serious penalty is jail time. Delinquency is a violation of court orders, so it is possible that a parent could be held in contempt of court for non-compliance and face incarceration.
Unlike some other family law matters, child support orders are not one-time settlements; they can be in place for several years. During this time, many things can change in a parent’s or child’s life. If a parent experiences a significant change in financial means or custody or if the needs of the child dramatically increase or decrease, there may be reason to pursue a modification of support.
However, it is crucial to understand that child support payments should be made in full and on time until a modification for support is approved by the courts.
Generally speaking, parents in Texas will be required to pay child support until a child no longer qualifies for support. In accordance with Texas child support laws, support may be terminated when:
Unless and until one of these events occurs, parents will typically be responsible for making child support payments.
Any parent who is unsure about their financial obligation or has concerns about missing child support payments would be wise to seek legal counsel sooner rather than later. Non-payment can quickly spiral out of control and negatively impact a child’s well-being. Resolving these matters as quickly as possible with the help of an attorney can be essential.
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