Child Support Enforcement in Texas
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed May 10, 2018
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.
If you're a single parent, then you understand how difficult it can be to make ends meet even when your child's other parent is contributing funds each month. But even when you have a child support order in place, the obligor (the individual paying child support, typically the noncustodial parent) doesn't always cooperate. It can be even more difficult securing child support payments when you don't have a court order or when the presumptive father denies paternity. That's why the enforcement of child support by state officials is so important for families.
The Office of the Attorney General is the official child support enforcement agency in Texas. In addition to enforcing payment, the AG's Child Support Division helps locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, collect and distribute payments, and review and adjust child support orders.
Texas Child Support Enforcement: The Basics
Time is of the essence when you're a single parent and need help covering the rent and putting food on the table. You don't have time to read legalese; you need answers. The following table highlights the basics of how Texas courts enforce child support orders.
Statutes |
Texas Family Code Section 231.001, et seq. |
Information Needed for Locating a Noncustodial Parent |
If you're having trouble locating your child's noncustodial parent, you may not have access to all of the following information. But the more you can provide, the better the odds of locating the parent:
|
Options for Collecting Overdue (Delinquent) Support |
If a noncustodial parent subject to a child support order falls behind in payments or fails to pay, the state has a number of options to compel payment. Procedures vary by case and a judge may sentence a nonpaying parent to jail. Enforcement options include the following:
|
Child Support Enforcement Forms |
|
Contact Information |
Contact the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Texas for further assistance at:
|
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Texas Child Support Enforcement: Related Resources
- Texas Child Support Calculations
- Texas Child Support and Custody Modifications
- Texas Enforcement of Family Court Orders
Get Professional Legal Help Enforcing a Child Support Order
Child support is an essential legal requirement for noncustodial parents, intended to help cover the expenses involved in raising a child. But not all parents take their responsibilities seriously, or may not even know they have a child in need of support. If you're having difficulty collecting child support, consider getting help from an experienced Texas child support attorney near you.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.
Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.