Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

I recently receive a notice from the Attorney General's Office relating to past due child support and am uncertain how to proceed. I have three children who are now 26, 24 and 22 years. They lived with their mother for many years and I paid support during that time. My oldest came to live with me his 8th grade year. To avoid issues with our living arrangement I continued to pay support. My ex-wife decided to relocate out of state and my middle child also came to live with me. Again, to avoid issues, I contined to pay support. My ex-wife contacted me stating she was returning to Texas and wanted to send our younest ahead of her and did. In 1998, approximately a year later she moved back to Texas. During this time I contined to pay support for all three children. On her return my youngest moved back in with her mother while the two oldest continued to live with me. On one of their weekend visits to their moms she decided the two oldest couldn't return to my home. I sought out an attorney and filed a petition. We ultimately settled out of court agreeing that child support could be stopped and the two oldest could reside with me as long as she retained full costody. This petition was given to my employer and supports payments were stopped. Since receiving this recent notice from the Attorney General I've discovered the petition was filed but never signed by a judge. The document I received states 11,000 is owed in past due support and a total of 33,000 including penalties and interest. Again, I do not know what, if any, recourse I have. Thank you


Asked on 8/30/10, 5:05 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

You need to contact the attorney that settled out of court with you. My guess is that the court order was signed but a certified copy was not provided to the attorney general's office.

If a judgment was not signed, the attorney needs to take care of this for you.

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Answered on 9/04/10, 6:39 pm
Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

I'd be in an attorney's office next week.

Additionally, don't leave a lot of money in any bank account associated with your social security number. The TX A G's computer will "grab" the money and you will have checks "bouncing" all over town!

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Answered on 9/04/10, 8:07 pm


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