Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

taniff reimbursment payments by imprisoned father

My brother was recently released from prison in the state of Texas. Since his release his wife has made it very difficult for him to get on his feet. His old employer gave him his job back and I am letting him live in our dads house who has passed away. His wife is constantly threatening him and telling him she is going to get him put back in prison if he doesnt give her more money. She is living with her ex husband and thier one child. He is giving her all the money he can and she continues to be voluntarily unemployeed. She recently said she was going to turn him into the welfare dept and he would have to repay anything she has been recieving since he was incarcerated. He is very scared and has even mentioned taking his own life. Should he be this concerned based on the fact that he his now paying well over half of the support of his daughter. Can she really do these things to him. Please help me so I can help him.

Thanks

C. Orr


Asked on 6/20/03, 1:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Watson John Watson, Attorney at Law

Re: taniff reimbursment payments by imprisoned father

This sounds like a child support question. Tell your friend to go to the child support office nearest to the place (or town) where he lives. If there is not child support order one will get made. If there is one then they can get him up to date on what he actually owes. I do not know Texas law but I do not belive anyone will put someone in prison for not paying the child support. Most of the child support offices will try to work with people, including ex-convicts, to get them ontrack to paying.

Unlike what you report she said the old system was to get people (dads) to repay what was paid to the mom. Under the system that started nationwide in or around 1998 paying the child support is the repayment. Your friend will not get stuck with 2 bills.

The child support office will be able to find out where his case is actually located (they are usually located in the county where mom lives); how much he owes; and they'll work with him to get him on a payment plan. In this case here - going to the local authority (the child support office) is his best defense to her (rather offensive) offense.

Hope this helps. Good luck to your friend.

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Answered on 6/20/03, 1:50 pm


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