Resource Library
Texas Child Support Resources
Plain-English guides to collecting and enforcing child support in Texas, written by the attorneys who handle these cases every day.
Enforcement
- Bank Levies & Property Liens
- Tax Refund Interception
- Contempt of Court: When Nonpayment Is Willful
- License Suspensions: Driver, Professional & Recreational
- Credit Reporting for Child Support Arrears
- Passport Denials for Owed Support
- Seizing Lottery Winnings & Settlements
- Foreclosure on Real Property for Large Arrears
- Criminal Nonsupport: Elements & Defenses
- Civil vs. Criminal Enforcement
- Enforcement Against Military Members
- Enforcing Medical & Childcare Reimbursements
- Tracking Down Employers & Job Changes
Arrears & Interest
- Interest on Arrears: How It Accrues
- Statutes of Limitation on Arrears
- QDROs & Retirement Accounts for Arrears
- Building a Payment Plan the Court Will Approve
- How to Avoid Arrears: Set Up Withholding Early
- Getting Credit for Direct Payments (and Why It's Risky)
- What to Do If You Can't Pay in Full This Month
- Getting a Refund When Possible
Income & Withholding
Guidelines & Calculation
Hearings & Procedure
- Preparing for a Contempt Hearing
- Preparing for a Contested Enforcement Hearing
- Your First Hearing: What to Bring & Expect
- How a Support Case Moves From Intake to Order
- Serving the Other Parent: Methods & Proof
- Discovery: Subpoenas, Depositions & Requests
- Evidence Rules in Support Cases
- Mediation vs. Hearing vs. Trial
- Using Experts: Vocational & Financial
- Remote Hearings & Virtual Court Etiquette
- Appeals: Standards & Deadlines
- Default Orders & Motions to Vacate
- Avoiding Perjury & Sanctions
- Probation, Community Service & Purge Conditions
Modifications
Interstate & International
- International Enforcement Under the Hague Convention
- International Cases Under the Hague Child Support Convention
- Travel Restrictions & Passports in International Cases
- Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Parents
- Avoiding Conflicting Orders Across Borders
- Enforcing an Order in Non-Hague Countries
- Currency Conversion & Payment Tracking
- Translation, Apostille & Service Abroad
- Working With Foreign Central Authorities
- When to Hire International Counsel
- International Paternity & DNA Logistics
- Interstate Wage Withholding Mechanics
- Out-of-State Enforcement
- Moving Out of State: What Changes and What Doesn't
- If the Other Parent Moves Out of State
- Multi-State Parenting Schedules
Special Situations
- Medical Catastrophes & Extraordinary Expenses
- Military Families & Frequent Moves
- LGBTQ Parents & Gender Considerations
- Children With Special Needs: Lifelong Support
- Domestic Violence & Safe Payment Arrangements
- Substance Abuse & Supervised Parenting Time
- High-Conflict Co-Parenting
- Handling Support While You're Incarcerated
- IVF, Donor Agreements & Financial Duties
- Religious Schooling or Homeschooling Costs
- Nonparent Caregivers: Grandparents & Guardians
- Emancipation by Marriage or Military Service
- Ending Support at Emancipation: Process & Pitfalls
- Ending Support at Emancipation: Closing the Case
- Social-Media Conduct Clauses
- Faith-Based Mediation & Arbitration Clauses
Records & Practical
- Keeping Good Records for Taxes & FAFSA
- Privacy, Data Security & Payment Portals
- State Disbursement Units (SDUs): How Payments Flow
- Working With the Caseworker or Probation Officer
- Opening a Case With Your State Agency
- Payment Plans Through the Agency or Court
- Coordinating Child Support With Public Benefits
- Protecting Orders During Bankruptcy, Probate or Guardianship
- Protecting Your Credit & Licenses
- Communicating Without Escalation
- Avoiding Scams & Unlicensed 'Debt-Relief' Companies
- Using Self-Help & Legal Aid
- When to Consider Private Counsel
- Confidentiality & Sealed Records
- Small-Claims Considerations