Failing to pay child support in Texas is an extremely serious offense. Take, for example, the recent case of a Texas man who was sent to jail for six months for not paying his child support. While that may not seem like anything noteworthy — after all, people are put in jail all the time for not paying child support — in this case, the oversight is being blamed on a clerical error. You see, the father apparently hadn’t paid because he hadn’t realized what was going on. When he became aware of his lateness, he paid everything and, in fact, overpaid.
In 2007, Texas passed a statute that allowed for some leniency in situations like these where the father caught up immediately. Unfortunately for this man, in 2013, the state repealed these protections, so he was caught in the middle and will have to serve time. His case, though, is likely a rare one.
The attorney in the case recounted another instance where the father’s actions were less than noble. Rather than give his child the support he or she needs, he decided to stop working so he wouldn’t have to pay. When talk of jail reached his ears, he suddenly came up with the thousands he owed.
Child support is generally based on the payer’s income and is meant to be in the best interests of the child. If you’re a father or mother who feels unfairly treated, an attorney may be able to help you get a modification that’s more manageable. If, on the other hand, you’re the spouse who’s owed and your ex isn’t paying up, a Texas attorney may be able to enforce the agreement.
Source: theroot.com, “A Matter of Law: What Everyone Is Missing About the Texas Child Support Case,” Breanna Edwards, June 27, 2014