Texas Unpaid Child Support Lawyers
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Get The Child Support You’re Owed
When a child’s parents are not married, it is common for one parent to be ordered to pay child support to the custodial parent, i.e., the one who has primary physical custody. This financial support helps cover the child’s costs and ensures that both parents share the responsibility. In Texas, this law reflects the belief that every child is entitled to financial and emotional support from both parents, regardless of their relationship status.
What To Do When Child Support Goes Unpaid
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for noncustodial parents to fall behind or avoid paying court-ordered child support. When payments are missed, the custodial parent is left with fewer financial resources, which can limit a child’s access to education, extracurricular activities, or even basic necessities like safe housing and nutritious meals.
To help address this, Texas law allows custodial parents to take legal action to recover unpaid child support. If you haven’t received the support your child is entitled to, you’re not alone. By the end of 2013, unpaid child support in Texas had reached over $13 billion. Experienced attorneys, like those at Eaton Family Law, help parents in similar situations pursue the financial support their children deserve.
You should never feel guilty about seeking unpaid child support. This money isn’t just about your rights; it belongs to your child. Even if the non-custodial parent has been absent from your child’s life, they are still legally and morally obligated to contribute to their well-being.
If your former partner is genuinely struggling financially, child support payments may be modified through the courts, but they cannot simply stop paying on their own. Any changes must be legally approved.
You may also be entitled to interest when payments have been neglected for an extended period. Texas allows a 6% annual interest rate on unpaid support. That can add up quickly, potentially creating a significant financial resource for your child’s future, from college expenses to easing the transition into adulthood.
Let Our Child Support Lawyers Lend A Hand
Child support becomes legally enforceable the moment a court issues a signed order. During this process, an attorney helps determine a fair and reasonable amount based on the financial situations of both parents. Because it’s a legal obligation, child support payments can be automatically withheld from the paying parent’s paycheck. In those cases, the employer sends the funds to the state, which then disburses them to the custodial parent, eliminating the risk of skipped or misused payments. If the paying parent changes jobs, you may need to resubmit the appropriate paperwork to ensure continued withholding.
When a parent becomes seriously delinquent, the state of Texas may take further action through the Child Support Evader Program. This program targets parents who owe more than $5,000 and have not made consistent payments in six months or more. If they are not currently in bankruptcy or under an active arrest warrant, the Office of the Attorney General can step in to help recover what is owed.
Don’t wait! If you’re owed back child support, it’s important to act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it may become to recover the full amount your child is entitled to. As unpaid support accumulates, the financial burden often becomes more difficult for the noncustodial parent to overcome. In fact, the average child support debt in Texas exceeds $30,000, and a significant portion of that is never repaid.
Whether payments stopped recently or have been missing for years, a family law attorney can help you take steps to recover the support your child deserves. At Eaton Family Law Group, we understand how stressful and frustrating this process can be for single parents. We’re here to help you navigate the legal system and fight for your child’s financial future.
Call us today in Houston, Tomball, Katy, or Sugar Land to take the first step toward recovering your unpaid child support.
