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:
If you have questions regarding the enforcement of your child support agreement in Tarrant County including Fort Worth, Benbrook, Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain, Saginaw, Blue Mound, Weatherford, Azle, Granbury, Aledo, and Surrounding Areas, call one of our family law attorneys in Fort Worth 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Working to enforce the conditions in a child support agreement isn't something you have to do alone. The attorneys at Pat White are dedicated to ensuring that the best interests of you and your child are prioritized throughout the course of your case. If you are in Tarrant County including Fort Worth, Benbrook, Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain, Saginaw, Blue Mound, Weatherford, Azle, Granbury, Aledo, and Surrounding Areas, contact us today to speak directly with one of our attorneys about your case.
