Child support is one way that a parent continues to provide for their child’s needs after their relationship ends with their child’s co-parent. In Texas, both of a child’s parents are expected to provide financial resources for the child’s care and comfort, and how much each parent is required to provide may depend on a number of factors. A parent’s income, whether they have custodial rights over the child, and other guidelines outline the amount of obligation a parent may be ordered to pay.
When a parent does not or cannot pay their mandated child support amount, they may become delinquent. Child support delinquencies may be subject to enforcement efforts, and those efforts can take on several different forms. Parents who have questions about initiating or dealing with child support enforcement options are encouraged to talk to their family law attorneys as this post does not offer any legal advice.
The failure of a parent to pay child support may result in a garnishment of their wages. When a person’s wages are garnished, their employer withholds money that then used to satisfy the parent’s child support obligation. A court can order wage garnishments as an enforcement effort.
Similarly, a delinquent parent may have liens filed against their property. If a property is subject to a lien, that means that proceeds from its sale will be used to satisfy a delinquency, such as to one’s child support obligation. In some cases, courts may order a delinquent parent to lose the opportunity to secure a driver’s license, or other licensures for rendering professional services.
Child support is an important way that a parent cares for their child when that parent is no longer in a relationship with their co-parent. An attorney can help a parent on either side of a child support enforcement case with clear and case-specific guidance.