Child Support Enforcement in Austin: Get the Money Your Kids Deserve

Your ex stopped paying child support. The bills keep coming. Your kids need shoes, school supplies, medical care. You’re tired of carrying the full financial burden alone.

You’re not helpless. Texas gives you powerful tools to collect unpaid child support. But knowing what to do and when makes the difference between success and endless frustration.

Here’s what you need to know about enforcing child support in Austin and surrounding counties.

When Child Support Goes Unpaid

Missing child support payments creates real hardship. You might be:

• Covering all child expenses on one income
• Going without so your kids can have what they need
• Falling behind on rent, utilities, or car payments
• Unable to afford medical care or school activities
• Watching the unpaid amount grow larger each month

Every month your ex doesn’t pay, they owe more money. That debt doesn’t disappear. Texas calls this “arrearages” - and it keeps growing until paid in full.

Your Enforcement Options in Travis County

The Travis County Child Support Division handles basic collection efforts. But when those don’t work, you need stronger measures:

Income Withholding Orders

Texas can automatically deduct child support from your ex’s paycheck, unemployment benefits, disability payments, or worker’s compensation. This happens without going to court if support is more than 30 days past due.

What you need: Current employer information for your ex.

Asset Seizure

The state can take:

• Bank accounts
• Tax refunds (state and federal)
• Lottery winnings
• Personal injury settlements
• Property and vehicles

License Suspension

Texas can suspend:

• Driver’s license
• Professional licenses
• Recreational licenses (hunting, fishing)
• Passport (for federal cases)

Contempt of Court

When other methods fail, you can ask the court to hold your ex in contempt. This is serious - they could face jail time until they pay.

Filing for Contempt: Your Strongest Tool

Contempt proceedings put real pressure on non-paying parents. Here’s what happens:

Step 1: Motion for Contempt We file papers showing your ex violated the court order by not paying support.

Step 2: Court Hearing Your ex must appear and explain why they haven’t paid. “I don’t want to” isn’t a valid excuse.

Step 3: Consequences If found in contempt, they face:

• Jail time until they pay (up to 6 months)
• Additional fines
• Payment of your attorney fees
• Wage garnishment orders

Step 4: Collection Often, facing jail time motivates quick payment of back support.

What if Your Ex Lives Out of State?

Interstate cases require special procedures, but Texas can still collect. We work with other states through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) to:

• Establish income withholding in their state
• Seize assets across state lines
• Enforce contempt orders

Special Situations in Williamson and Hays Counties

Each county has different procedures:

Williamson County: Often requires mediation before contempt hearings. We can request emergency hearings when appropriate.

Hays County: Typically schedules enforcement hearings within 30-45 days. Good for urgent situations.

Travis County: Has a dedicated child support court with experienced staff. Complex cases often move faster here.

What Courts Can’t Do

Be realistic about limitations:

• Unemployed parents: Hard to collect from someone with no income or assets
• Hidden income: Some people work under the table or hide money offshore
• Disabled parents: Courts rarely jail parents who genuinely can’t work due to disability

But even unemployed parents can face consequences. The debt remains, and collection starts as soon as they earn money.

When to Hire an Attorney

You might handle simple wage garnishment through the state. But consider hiring a lawyer when:

• Your ex owes significant back support ($5,000+)
• They’re self-employed or hiding income
• Previous collection efforts failed
• You need emergency support for basic needs
• Your ex lives in another state
• Your case involves complex assets

Private attorneys can move faster than state agencies and use enforcement tools the state doesn’t pursue.

Getting Started with Enforcement

Gather these documents:

• Your current child support order
• Payment records showing missed payments
• Your ex’s current address and employer
• Bank account information if available

Calculate what’s owed:

• Monthly support amount
• Number of missed payments
• Interest on unpaid support (6% annually in Texas)
• Any additional expenses you’ve covered

File quickly: Don’t wait hoping your ex will start paying. The sooner you act, the sooner you collect.

FAQ About Child Support Enforcement

Q: How long does enforcement take? Income withholding can start within 2-3 weeks. Contempt proceedings take 1-2 months. Asset seizure varies by situation.

Q: What if my ex quits their job to avoid payment? That’s contempt of court. Judges don’t look kindly on parents who quit jobs to avoid supporting their children.

Q: Can I collect back support if my child is now 18? Yes. Child support debt doesn’t disappear when your child reaches adulthood. You can collect arrearages for decades.

Q: What about support for older children in college? Texas doesn’t require support for college-age children unless specifically ordered. But unpaid support from when they were minors is still collectible.

Q: Will enforcement hurt my ex’s credit? Yes. Unpaid child support appears on credit reports and lowers credit scores.

Q: Can my ex go to jail for not paying? Yes, but only through contempt proceedings. This requires proving they had the ability to pay and chose not to.

Your Next Step

Don’t let unpaid child support continue. Your children deserve the financial support ordered by the court, and you deserve help collecting it.

Every month you wait:

• The debt grows larger
• Collection becomes more difficult
• Your financial stress increases
• Your children go without needed support

Schedule a consultation to discuss your enforcement options. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you decide the best path forward.

Your kids are counting on that support. Let’s make sure they get it.