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.
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 – 6 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:
- Debit or credit card payments
- Checks
- Money orders
- Cash
- Wage withholding
- Automatic bank draft
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.
- Pay online through Smart e-Pay
- Pay by phone through Smart e-Pay
- Pay online through Moneygram
- 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.
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.
Looking for a Child Support Attorney in Texas? Eric M. Willie Can Help You!
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 the Law Office of Willie & Dasher 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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