Parents in Texas often make difficult and major decisions concerning their family. When married couples decide that getting a divorce is their best option for their future, they often have to consider the future of their children as well. This often means deciding issues such as child custody and child support. Monthly payments are often very essential for the primary or custodial parent, and when those payments are late or delinquent, this could cause significant hardships for the other parent and the children.
When parents need the assistance of the state to help them collect delinquent payments, the Attorney General’s office is usually the one to step up and help collect past due child support. After 11 years in office, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s will pass the responsibility to Charles Smith who was recently appointed deputy of the Child Support Division.
According to the agency’s website, Abbott’s office collected more than $27 billion in child support, and of that, $3.6 billion was collected in the last fiscal year. Their efforts have significantly helped children and families within the state. When a parent fails to pay child support, the state could step in and help. In addition, the parent could face serious penalties for failing to pay child support. This could mean fines and even jail time.
Those that are unable to make child support payments should seek out ways to better this situation. This could mean modifying the child support arrangement. If there is a substantial change in circumstance, such as relocation, job change, unemployment or remarriage, child support payments could be modified.
Whether parents seek to enforce or modify child support, it is important that parents understand their rights and options. It is also crucial that they take it serious and focus on the nest interest of the children.
