Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Re: Deadbeat Laws In Texas

The most frequently mentioned is contempt of court for which a judge can jail the parent (it's not just dads) for six months or until he or she pays. Also, remember that interest is automatically added on. If the case is old enough, the entire payment can go just for interest and the back child support is never reduced. I just had a case like that; I met the dad for the first time in the jailhouse. A parent that truly cannot pay cannot be jailed.

There are other penalties. One not used too much yet is the ability to suspend certain licenses, including occupational licenses, hunting licenses, and drivers licenses. Rumor has it that loss of a hunting license is the most effective.

It is important to remember that the parent with possession will have to have continual contact with the paying parent until the child is eighteen, so the method of resolving the situation can be important. It is sometimes best (and least expensive) to start with a less agressive approach and escalate as necessary.

As to the best method to collect child support, if the paying parent is working, would be to obtain a wage withholding order. That makes it easy and if the employer does not withhold the money, then the employer is liable for it. Of course, this would not work if the parent is not working or changes jobs frequently. I have had several cases where contempt is the only effective tool. Rare is the parent that is willing to stay in jail. Many threaten to, but don't carry out the threat.

Another method would be to obtain a child support lien on the parent's property so that bank accounts are frozen and the parent cannot sell the property until the back child support is paid.

Your best course of action would be to contact an attorney experienced in family law. Some of these remedies are tricky.

Re: Deadbeat Laws In Texas

One option depending on how much the deadbeat dad owes is to place his name on the Attorney General's list of deadbeat dad's. They even have a place on their website where they put deadbeat dad's photos, kind of like a mugshot. To get more information you can call the Attorney General's child support payment office, they can help mother's who want to take the deadbeat dad's to court.

Re: Deadbeat Laws In Texas

Some of the penalties include contempt,wage garnishment, suspension of driver's license, and a whole list of others. Consult an attorney for further assistance.