At the Law Offices of Keith E. Holloway, we understand that child support payments may be a financial burden to many Texans. However, we also know that the consequences for non-payment of child support are serious. In most cases, you might face the loss of your driver’s license and professional licenses, and you could have your wages garnished. However, in some situations, you could go to jail for not paying child support.
As the Attorney General of Texas explains, you would be held in contempt of court for repeatedly and purposefully not following a court order – in this case, your court-ordered child support. This offense may be punishable by a jail sentence of up to six months, as well as a $500 fine for each violation. You might also be required to pay court costs and attorney fees associated with the child support order.
If you are also facing a felony conviction or criminal charges, non-payment of child support could result in a lengthier prison sentence. As you can see, not paying child support can be costly, with the results affecting you for many years. It is not recommended to simply not pay if your child support obligations are causing a hardship or if you disagree with your ex-spouse’s parenting methods or have other disputes with him or her. If you have issues with child support or other areas of family law during and after your divorce, it is best to bring up your concerns with the family law court, as our page explains. This may protect your legal interests and give you options for relieving a financial hardship.