Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
retroactive support
after 18 months of marriage, mother abandons the marriage and conceals the child for 16 years. 3 months before the child's 18th birthday, contacts father for info needed for collage applications. 2 weeks later the father is served papers, being sued for child support. the parents have not divorced. never has a court issued any type of support order. the father now knows the mother is in texas. has not seen or spoken to the child. what are the father's rights and how does he protect himself from the suit filed by the atty. fen. office?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: retroactive support
The one major thing I would advise is to get the father to a family law attorney in his area who is familiar with interstate issues or at least has professional contacts in Texas. This is too complicated a situation for father to try to handle it alone.
Re: retroactive support
If the Texas Attorney General has served you, I highly recommend that you retain an attorney immediately.
Please be advised that the Texas A G will add their attorney fees to your case but they waive their fees if you hire your own attorney.
Therefore, it is prudent to get your own attorney.
If you live in the Houston area, please feel free to give me a call at 713-847-6000.
Last comment - you'd be surprised how often I hear a story similar to yours!
Best of luck.