Back in September, we talked on this blog about a new program that the state of Texas was rolling out in order to collect back child support from those who owe it. Under the new plan, if you’re more than six months behind on child support payments, you won’t be able to renew your vehicle registration. The state can already take someone’s license away, but now so-called “deadbeat” parents will be refused service at the DMV.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office sent out 7,200 notices of delinquency, warning non-paying parents that their registration would be in jeopardy if they didn’t catch up. Well, since launching the program, the Lonestar State has received an extra $160,000 in owed child support. For the year, that makes almost $3.9 billion dollars the state has taken in for child support payments.
Of course, this only represents a percentage of the people who owe child support. There are still many parents who find a way to avoid their obligations, leaving mothers, fathers and most importantly, children without the funds they need to go to school, buy clothes and eat well.
If you’re a parent who is having trouble making your payments on time, you may want to speak with an attorney to see about getting a modification based on a new job or another change in circumstances.
By the same token, if you’re a parent who hasn’t received the child support you’re due, speaking with an attorney can be the first step to getting the money you need to raise your child.
Source: kxan.com, “Texas gets $160K in child support linked to car registration,” December 23, 2016