How Can I Recover Unpaid Child Support? 

 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Blog

Child support is critical for ensuring children have the money to buy the things they need to thrive. The stereotypical deadbeat dad tends to be a parent who disappears, is unemployed, or is simply uninterested in his children’s wellbeing. Often, however, parents who do not pay child support are able to do so but choose not to for selfish or vindictive reasons.

If your child’s other parent has the ability to pay child support but refuses to do so, it can cause significant financial strain and emotional stress for the entire family. Fortunately, there are legal options to help you recover unpaid child support. An experienced Texas child support recovery attorney can guide you through the process, ensuring you take the right steps to protect your rights and those of your child.

Recognizing Common Child-Support Avoidance Tactics

Some parents, especially financially savvy parents, intentionally avoid child support payments using various tricks and tactics. This can make it very difficult to recover the money you need. Understanding these strategies is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Common child-support avoidance tactics include:

• Working Cash-Only Jobs: Taking under-the-table employment to hide income from official records.

• Underreporting Earnings: Providing false or incomplete income information to reduce calculated payment amounts.

• Moving Frequently: Relocating or changing jobs often to avoid detection by enforcement agencies.

• Hiding Assets: Transferring property or funds to others to avoid using them for child support payments.

These tactics are frustrating, but they can be countered with legal action. Courts and child support agencies have tools such as subpoenaing financial records, enforcing wage garnishments, or hiring investigators to uncover hidden income or assets.

How the State Helps Recover Unpaid Child Support

State child support enforcement agencies provide several tools to assist with collecting overdue payments. These include intercepting federal and state tax refunds, suspending driver’s or professional licenses, and reporting unpaid child support to credit bureaus. Parents who owe substantial amounts in back payments may also be denied passport applications or renewals.

Although these actions are effective, the state enforcement system can be time-consuming and bureaucratic. Each step requires proper documentation, persistence, and often a detailed understanding of how to use these tools effectively.

Penalties for Unpaid Child Support

Failing to pay child support is a serious legal issue. Unpaid child support is one of the few reasons Texas law allows someone’s wages to be garnished. Additionally, courts can impose fines, jail time, or liens on the non-paying parent’s property. Delinquent parents may also face professional consequences, such as losing licenses or damaged credit.

The bottom line is this: You have options for recovering child support. You may understandably feel hesitant to get an attorney or the state involved because you worry it will cause conflict or stress, but your child has a right to financial support from her parents and you have the right and the responsibility to ensure your child has what she needs. And you do not have to do it yourself – an attorney can help.

The Role of an Attorney in Recovering Child Support

An attorney can make the child support recovery process faster and more efficient. For example, a lawyer can file motions in court to hold the delinquent parent in contempt for failing to comply with child support orders. This step can lead to court-mandated repayment plans, fines, or even jail time for non-compliance.

An attorney can also work to ensure that all legal requirements are met, from filing paperwork correctly to presenting a strong case in court. Their expertise can save you significant time and reduce the stress associated with trying to recover the money on your own. If the situation involves complex financial records or attempts to conceal income, a lawyer’s ability to access and analyze these documents can be invaluable.

Contact Our Bexar County, TX Child Support Attorneys Now 

Raising a child is resource-intensive, both emotionally and financially. Giving your child what she needs when you do not have the money you need can feel impossible. If you need help recovering the child support you are owed, contact the San Antonio, TX child support recovery lawyers at Brandon Wong & Associates now. Schedule an initial attorney meeting today by calling 210-201-3832.