Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

[A] Try Alternative Service

(1) Have your process server submit to your attorney an affidavit of attempted service. The process server will know what this is and how to do it.

(2) Ask your attorney to file a TRCP Rule 106(b) Motion for Alternative Service stating that service on the grand parents will accomplish service on the deadbeat. Get a 106(b) order from the court and serve the grandparents.

[B] Private Investigator

Hire a private investigator to follow the grandparents to wherever they take the child. Note that some process servers are also PIs, so they can follow the grandparents and then serve the deadbeat.

[C] Join the Grandparents

Join the grandparents into the suit as co-respondents/co-conspirators. Once they have been brought into the suit, depose them and ask them directly where their son lives or where he can be found. Let the grandparents know that you are seeking civil penalties against them for conspiring with their son to avoid child support.

[D] Non-Contempt Proceedings

Consider non-suiting the enforcement matter for now. File a motion to modify the parent child relationship so that you don't have to turn your child over to anybody if you don't know where the father is living. You have a right to know where your child is going. A court cannot find him in contempt in a modification action, therefore you can serve him by TRCP Rule 109 or 109a. (You can't effectively use rules 109 or 109a in a contempt proceeding.) If he fails to respond after service, default him and cut off his time with the child until he reveals his whereabouts.

You have to stay after this guy. He is really likely to go to jail if you can get his story of avoiding service and payment in front of the judge. Not that jail solves your problems, but if he's bawling and squalling from jail, his mom and dad might pay the arrearage to get him out. And that would help you a lot.

Anyway, these are some ideas for ending this cat-and-mouse game with him.

Good luck!!

You have an attorney, and this question needs to be addressed to your attorney. It is not appropriate for another attorney to comment when a person is represented. There are options available, and may require additional expense and effort. Good luck.