Texas Attorney General promotes the involvement of both parents in their children’s lives by working in collaboration with other agencies. For example, community groups, schools and hospitals and Aids forums.
This post seeks to explain, the Attorney General Role in Child Support Enforces Court Orders When Parents Fail to Meet… In the performance of their duties on behalf of Texas children, child support staff focus on quality, efficiency, effectiveness and customer service.
Custodial parents can call the 24-hour hotline at (800) 252-8014 to receive automatic information. With their customer identification numbers (CIN), they can receive information on payments and case status without having to wait for a caseworker or the attorney in charge of their case. The following are a few of the FAQ’s on General Child Support in Texas:
Who can apply for child support services and
what is the fee in Texas Attorney General’s Office?
The Attorney General’s Office accepts applications from mothers, fathers and other individuals who request services. Our attorneys represent the State of Texas in providing child support services and do not represent either parent in the case.
Customers do not have the right to select what enforcement actions are applied in their cases. It is the sole duty of The Office of the Attorney General to provide all appropriate services for the benefit and growth of the children.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and certain Medicaid recipients automatically receive child support services after they are certified for public assistance.
However, people who do not receive TANF or Medicaid must apply for child support services. There is no additional charge to apply for child support services. Many services are free and at no extra cost. Furthermore, from October 1, 2011, custodial parents with full-service cases who have never received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will pay a $25 fee each year that they receive at least $500 in child support collections.
Fees will be deducted from child support payments. Parents who have more than one child support case will pay a fee on each case that meets the criteria.
Where do people apply for child support services
with the Office of the Attorney General?
The Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General operates field offices throughout the state where people can apply for services. The telephone
numbers and addresses for these offices can be found at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov. A parent also can request an application for services by calling our toll-free telephone number at (800) 252-8014
or by visiting our website. An applicant who is deaf or hard of hearing can call TTY (800)572-2686 or (512) 460- 6124 (voice).
In Texas Attorney General Office, How long Does it Take For Payments to Begin?
Obtaining child support involves a wide variety of factors. Thereby, making it difficult to predict the time to secure payments on individual cases. For example, one case may require the full range of services locating the absent parent, establishing paternity and a support order and enforcing the order. Another case may have a divorce decree with an established order, a Social Security number, and an employer for the noncustodial parent, allowing enforcement of payment through an administrative income withholding order.
What information does the Office of the Attorney
General need to locate a noncustodial parent?
The most important information an applicant can provide, aside from the noncustodial parent’s current address, is the name and address of the noncustodial parent’s current employer. If the current employer is not known, the name and address of the last known employer must be made available.
Additionally, the following information about the noncustodial parent should be provided if available:
- Social Security number and date of birth;
- names and addresses of relatives and friends;
- names of banks or creditors such as utility companies;
- names of organizations, unions or clubs to which the
noncustodial parent belongs; and - places where the noncustodial parent spends free time.
What documents are needed by the Office of the
Attorney General?
If available, child support applicants should submit
copies of the following: - the divorce decree, separation agreement or court
order for child support; - the acknowledgment of paternity, if one has been signed;
- the birth certificate(s) of the child(ren) involved;
- all documents reflecting both parents’ incomes and
assets (paycheck stubs, tax returns, bank statements,
etc.); and - evidence of child support payment history
What if the noncustodial parent is still in school and
has no money?
Remember, a noncustodial parent is responsible for supporting his or her child even if that parent is still a minor. The judge will look at the parent’s income while he or she is still in school and decide how much support he/she can afford. The noncustodial parent’s income can be reviewed again after he or she has finished school and begins working. However, it is the judge that will decide what changes need to be made in the child support payment.
How Long Does Child Support Last ?
The duration of child support varies depending on the laws and regulations of a specific jurisdiction, as well as the circumstances of the support case. Generally, child support lasts until a child reaches the age of majority, which is usually 18 years old.
Furthermore, it can also be suspended if the child gets married or joins the military. Parents can also through special arrangements, agree to modify the child support arrangement, specifying a different date or extending support beyond the age of eighteen.
According to The Attorney General, What expenses does child support cover?
Child support is necessary to cover the basic needs of a child. These include, food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare. It may also contribute to other expenses, including extracurricular activities, child care, and medical insurance premiums, vacations, etc.
Major Duties of An Attorney General in Child Support
The Attorney General, and the office of the Attorney General, is solely responsible for a many duties as it affects child support enforcement. While the specific duties may slightly differ depending on the jurisdiction, below, are some major responsibilities of the Attorney General’s office regarding child support and its enforcement:
- Establishment of Child Support Orders: This office assists custodial parents in establishing child support orders by initiating legal proceedings, gathering relevant information, and advocating for the best interests of the child or children as the case maybe.
- Enforcement of Child Support Orders: The office of the AG is responsible for enforcing court orders and child support payments. This includes monitoring payments, taking legal action against non-compliant parents, and employing various enforcement measures to collect overdue support.
- Locating Noncustodial Parents: The AG, uses various tools and resources to locate noncustodial parents who are difficult to find. This involves accessing databases, conducting investigations, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to locate parents and ensure their compliance with child support orders.
- Modification of Child Support Orders: The Attorney General’s office assists custodial and noncustodial parents in seeking adjustments to child support , such as a significant change in income or a change in custody arrangements.
- Paternity Establishment: In cases where paternity is in question, the Attorney General’s office helps determine biological parentage through genetic testing. This is crucial for establishing child support obligations.
- Outreach and Education: The Attorney General’s office conducts outreach programs and educational initiatives to promote awareness of child support laws, rights, and responsibilities. This includes providing information, resources, and assistance to parents to ensure they understand their obligations and rights regarding child support.
Conclusion
However, their duties do not stop at the above only. It also includes Interstate Child Support Enforcement, this is applicable to enable the non-custodial parent do their duty even if they live faraway. Furthermore, in collaboration with Other Agencies the office of the AG can bring justice and fairness to a custodial parent accordingly.
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