Texas takes steps to recover delinquent child support payments

A new program enables Texas officials to deny parents who are behind on child support payments a renewed vehicle registration.

In 2007, the Texas government made it possible for the state to deny a vehicle registration renewal to parents who had fallen behind on making child support payments. According to a report in the San Antonio Express-News, the measure had not been fully enacted due to a lack of technology. However, on Sept. 1 of this year, the Office of the Attorney General formally launched the program.

Parents who are trying to collect payments and those who are delinquent should know what the law says in terms of enforcement. Below are the details of the license renewal block and other ways support may be collected.

License block renewal

In Texas, both parents are presumed to be responsible for the wellbeing of their child. This includes sharing the financial responsibilities associated with providing for a child, regardless of who has custody.

According to this new measure, parents who may be denied a vehicle registration renewal are those who are at least six months behind in payments. Before they can obtain a renewed vehicle registration, they must make arrangements to make the payments.

The payments do not need to be paid in full, but there must be a plan in place to satisfy the debt that is owed. These parents will be notified 90 days prior to when the vehicle registration renewal is due.

The Office of the Attorney General stated that in just the first month of launching the program, it has already collected more than $77,000 on behalf of parents owed child support. Last fiscal year, the department reported that it distributed more than $4 billion to families across the state.

Other enforcement tools

The vehicle registration renewal block is just one of the many ways Texas agencies can enforce child support orders. It is also possible that a parent who has not made child support payments will be denied a driver’s, recreational or professional license.

Additionally, the following could occur:

• Lottery winnings and federal tax refunds may be intercepted.
• A lien may be filed against the person’s assets.
• Employers may be required to deduct money from paychecks.

Additionally, parents seeking enforcement of child support orders can file a lawsuit in court. From there, it is possible that the judge would enter a judgment for the money that is owed and even put the person in jail.

It is incredibly frustrating for parents to try to track down child support payments while at the same time tending to the infinite number of needs that a child has. Anyone who is struggling with this issue or wishes to have more information should connect with a family law attorney in Texas.