Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Non-Payment of Child Support

I am the custodial parent of a teenager. My ex is nearly $20,000 behind in child support. In 2005 we went to court (El Paso County, Texas) and the court found my ex failed to pay court-ordered child support and ordered him committed to the county jail, then suspended the commitment and placed him on community supervision for 10 years. He is once again not paying, even though he is employed, and I want to know what I can do. The Attorney General's office, who handles the case, refuses to take action since he is making an occasional payment (3 payments out of the last 15 due). I wanted to hire a private attorney but cannot afford the retainer. Is there anything I can do? That community supervision is still in effect, but I don't know what that means. Can he be arrested? What options do I have? Thanks for any help you can give.


Asked on 11/18/08, 10:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patricia F. Bushman BUSHMAN LAW OFFICES

Re: Non-Payment of Child Support

El Paso county has a lot of county specific rules so you really need to talk to a good family law attorney in El Paso. Surely there are family law attorney out there who will work with you on the up front money for an enforcement.

Otherwise, if he is working have the Wage Withholding Order served on his employer so they take the support out of his pay and try talking to the AG again. Three payments in 15 months is not compliance and they should be willing to go after him. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/19/08, 3:10 pm


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