Getting Child Support Payments in Austin: How an Austin Family Law Attorney Can Help You Enforce Your Divorce Decree
When a divorce or child custody case in Austin results in a court-ordered child support obligation, both parents are legally required to follow the terms of the divorce decree. Child support payments are meant to help cover a child’s everyday needs, including housing, food, education, and medical care. Unfortunately, however, some Austin parents fail to make payments on time, or stop paying altogether, leaving the other parent unsure of what to do next. If you are not receiving court-ordered child support, an Austin family law attorney can help you understand your enforcement options under Texas law. Here we explain the ins-and-outs of enforcing a child support order in Austin, and where to get legal help with your Austin child support case.
Child Support Orders Are Legally Enforceable in Austin
In Austin, under Texas laws, a child support order is not a suggestion, but rather it is a binding court order. As such, when an Austin parent falls behind on payments, the unpaid amounts typically become arrears, which do not simply disappear over time. Interest may also accrue on overdue child support, increasing the total amount owed.
Many child support orders include wage withholding, which means payments are automatically deducted from the paying parent’s paycheck. If wage withholding is not in place, or if the paying parent is self-employed or changes jobs, enforcement may become more complicated. An Austin family law attorney can review your decree and help determine the best way to pursue enforcement.
Common Ways to Enforce Child Support in Austin
One common enforcement option is filing a motion to enforce child support. This asks the court to take action against a parent who has failed to follow the divorce decree. If the court finds that the parent violated the order, it may require payment of past-due support, attorney’s fees, and court costs.
In more serious cases, Texas courts have the authority to impose additional penalties. These may include suspending a driver’s license or professional license, intercepting tax refunds, placing liens on property, or even ordering jail time for continued noncompliance. While jail is typically a last resort, it reflects how seriously courts treat child support obligations.
Why You Should Avoid Handling Enforcement on Your Own
There is no question that for many Austin parents, it can be tempting to handle child support issues informally or to withhold visitation when payments stop. However, Texas law treats child support and visitation as separate issues. Taking matters into your own hands can create legal problems and may harm your position in court.
An Austin family law attorney can help ensure enforcement actions are handled properly and in compliance with the law, while also protecting your rights and your child’s best interests.
How an Austin Family Law Attorney Can Help
An Austin family law attorney can assist with reviewing your divorce decree, calculating arrears, gathering documentation, and filing the necessary court motions. An experienced Austin family law attorney can also represent you at enforcement hearings and communicate with the other parent or their counsel on your behalf.
If you are struggling to collect court-ordered payments, it is important to know that you do not have to face the situation alone. An Austin family law attorney can help you enforce your divorce decree and work toward securing the financial support your child is entitled to receive under Texas law.
If you are in the Austin area and you need legal help with your child support case, contact the experienced Austin family lawyer attorneys at The Law Office of Oprea & Weber. Contact The Law Office of Oprea & Weber today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.