How to Pay Child Support in Texas

How to Pay Texas Child Support

Under Texas law, a non-custodial parent is typically required to provide financial assistance to the custodial parent by paying child support on a regular basis. This arrangement ensures that the burden of raising the child does not fall on the state.

In this article, we tell you how to pay child support in Texas and why you must be careful not to fall behind on your child support payments. If you need an Austin child support attorney near you, contact our office for a consultation.

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Where to Send Child Support Payments in Texas

The first thing you should know about paying child support in Texas is that the payments must be made to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Under Texas law, the Attorney General has the authority to collect and distribute child support payments and enforce child support orders as and when needed to ensure that the children are cared for.

Moreover, any payment made directly to the custodial parent can be considered a gift, which means it will not be counted as child support. So, make sure every single payment you make goes through the OAG.

Ways to Pay Child Support in Texas – 7 Options Available for You

If you are wondering how to pay child support in Texas, you will be happy to know that there are several options available for you. These include:

1. Debit or credit card payments
2. Checks
3. Money orders
4. Cash
5. Wage withholding
6. Automatic bank draft
7. Money Gram at Walmart

How to Pay Child Support in Texas Using Credit or Debit Card?

There are four ways in which you can pay child support using your credit card or debit card.

1. Pay online through Smart e-Pay
2. Pay by phone through Smart e-Pay
3. Pay online through Moneygram
4. Pay through a Touchpay Kiosk

If you choose to pay through Smart e-pay or Moneygram, you will have to pay a convenience fee.

Can I pay Child Support in Texas with a Check or Money Order?

Yes, you can pay child support in Texas with a money order.  You can send a check or money order by mail to the Texas State Disbursement Unit (SDU). The check or money order should be made to the Office of the Attorney General. Make sure you mention your name, your ex-spouse’s name, your cause number, and your 10-digit case number.

If you’re paying child support by mail, the address you mail it to is listed here.

How to Pay Child Support through Wage Withholding?

This is the most common method to pay child support in Texas. You can provide your employment information to the OAG and request them to deduct child support from your weekly or monthly paycheck. You can learn more about Texas child support laws here.

The OAG will send an ‘order to withhold income for child support’ to your employer. Upon receiving this, your employer will start deducting the amount from your paycheck on a regular basis. Your employer will send the deducted payment to the OAG, who will then send it to your ex-spouse. You may need to contact the nearest Texas child support office.

How to Pay Child Support in Texas through Automatic Bank Draft?

Using the Smart e-Pay tool, you can make sure that child support payments are automatically debited from your bank account on a weekly or monthly basis.

Pay Texas Child Support via MoneyGram at Walmart

You may not have been aware that Texas retailers such as Walmart and CVS accept child support payments. If your child support is due, you can send payment via MoneyGram & CheckFreePay Western Union and Walmart Bill Pay (WMBP) at Walmart.

Child support payments can be conveniently made using a credit or debit card via the secure MoneyGram website. To proceed, ensure you have the Child Support Division’s 10-digit case number and cause number at hand. Utilize Receive Code 14681 during the transaction. For online payments, simply visit MoneyGram’s website. Please note that when using a credit or debit card through MoneyGram, it may take up to three business days for the payment to reflect on your child support case. MoneyGram will also charge a convenience fee for using their platform.

Contact an Experienced Child Support Attorney Near You in Texas Today

Whether you are a non-custodial parent who wants your child support order reviewed or modified or a custodial parent who wants the child support order enforced, Eric M. Willie can help you.

An experienced family law attorney, Eric Willie can guide you through the process of paying or receiving child support and provide you with legal assistance as and when needed regarding the enforcement of the order.

If you have any questions regarding how to pay child support in Texas, call Eric M. Willie, Austin Divorce Lawyer today at 512-982-0714 or fill out this contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our divorce attorneys.

 

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