An experienced family law lawyer in Houston will have a few cases where they have had to fight a “Deadbeat Dad.” This term is used when a father has the money but chooses not to pay child support. If the father has lost his job or there has been another unforeseen circumstance they typically do not fit under this description. There are laws to help mothers receive the money they need to raise their children from the deadbeat dad. A lawyer knows the steps to take to receive payments in a lawful manner.
First, it needs to be said that even if a father or mother stops paying child support it does not mean the other parent has the right to refuse visitation. In Texas, child support and visitation are separate issues and one is not dependent of the other. Keep in mind, if the case goes in front of the judge it is best to show that you are a reasonable person who has followed the law so nothing negative can be mentioned about your actions.
Luckily, a Houston lawyer can follow steps when a parent has fallen behind on child support payments. First, they can ask to garnish his or her wages, intercept unemployment payments, or offset federal income tax returns. They can also ask the judge to stop the parent from being able to obtain a legal passport. If nothing has worked and there is a significant amount of money owed, a judge can rule to place the deadbeat parent in jail.
Dealing with a deadbeat parent is stressful and extremely annoying. In the best case scenario, the parent will start making payments. In order to pay for back payments, they are often ordered to add a percentage of what is owed on top of their regular monthly payments to catch up. Adjusting the amount of child support that is owed each month is a possibility for a parent that has changed or lost a job. If you have having problems with a parent who refuses to pay for child support, hiring an experienced Houston attorney can help answer questions on what documentation is needed to show the lack of payments and what steps can be taken in court to get the money you deserve to raise your child.
A Houston family attorney at Waldrop Law Firm can help mothers who are seeking child support from their ex-husband. In addition to child support cases, they practice divorce law and collaborative law in Houston.
