Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

collecting childsupport after moving out of state

I was divorced in l987 in the state of Texas ( where my former husband still lives). I have moved to the state of Michigan ( in l990). In l992, I filed paperwork at the Friends of the Court to try to get my former husband to pay child support. It was eventually handled and my former husband was suppose to pay and extra $200 a month for a specified period of time to catch up on arreages. However, it has never been enforced. My former husband works for himself, so he cannot have is pay garnished. He continues to send support through the Bell County Court House ( in Texas ) but only when he feels like it. He only pays a small fraction of the amount he is suppose to and I would like to know what I can do to have him pay what he is suppose, and when he is suppose to. I have been told that because the jurisdiction is in Texas, that there is not much I can do here in Michigan. I cannot afford to hire the attorney that I used when I got the divorce, nor to go to Texas to go to court. Any suggestions?


Asked on 1/19/01, 10:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bob Leonard Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC

Re: collecting childsupport after moving out of state

There are several effective tools for collecting child support. Having an obligor jailed for contempt of the court order or placing a child support lien on the obligor's property are two of them.

If your problem is purely cost, then you can initiate action through the Texas Attorney General. They will handle the case, but it might take a long time. Also, you might see if there is a "pro bono" (free legal services) program in Bell County. Contact the local bar association there. Also, your prior attorney might be able to give you a reference to a local group that could help you.

Also, if the amount of arrearage is large, you might find an attorney to take the case for a percentage of the collections.

Good luck.

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Answered on 2/14/01, 10:31 am


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