Where to report non-payment in Texas
Report non-payment of child support to the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division, which handles enforcement statewide. You can file a report online through the AG's website, by phone at 1-800-252-8014, or by mail to the Child Support Division office in your region. The AG's office will investigate and take action on your behalf at no cost to you.
If you have an existing child support case, you can also contact your local child support office directly—the same office that originally set up your case. Your case worker can file an enforcement action without you having to start a new report. Look up your local office on the Texas Attorney General website by county.
You do not need a lawyer to report non-payment. The state handles enforcement as part of its duty to collect support, regardless of whether you hire an attorney. However, if you want legal representation, you can hire a family law attorney to file a motion for enforcement in district court on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- Report non-payment to the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division by phone (1-800-252-8014), online, or mail—the state investigates and enforces at no cost to you.
- Your local child support office can file an enforcement action if you already have an open case, often faster than starting a new report with the AG.
- The state can intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses, place liens on property, and report arrears to credit bureaus without you filing a separate lawsuit.
- Enforcement takes weeks to months depending on the method used and whether the obligor contests the claim.
- You can request a modification of the support order if the obligor's circumstances have changed, which may lower arrears or prevent future non-payment.
What happens after you report non-payment
Once you report, the state's enforcement team reviews your case and determines which enforcement tools to use. The most common first step is a payment demand letter sent to the obligor (the person who owes support). This letter gives them a deadline—usually 10 to 20 days—to pay the arrears or face further action.
If the obligor does not respond or pay, the state can move to more aggressive enforcement. The timeline varies: a demand letter may take 2 to 4 weeks to send, and if ignored, the next step (such as wage garnishment or license suspension) can take another 4 to 8 weeks to process. Complex cases or those involving out-of-state obligors take longer.
You will receive notices as the case progresses. The state will tell you when enforcement actions are filed, when payments are received, and when the case is closed. Keep copies of all notices for your records.
Enforcement tools the state can use without court
Wage garnishment is the fastest and most common enforcement method. The state sends an order directly to the obligor's employer, requiring them to withhold child support from each paycheck. This happens automatically once the employer receives the order and does not require a court hearing. The obligor can contest it, but the burden is on them to prove the order is wrong.
Tax refund intercept allows the state to seize federal and state income tax refunds owed to the obligor and apply them to arrears. This happens automatically if the case is referred to the federal offset program. The obligor receives notice and can request a hearing to dispute the intercept, but it typically takes 60 to 90 days from the time the refund is seized.
The state can also suspend the obligor's driver's license, professional license, or recreational license (hunting, fishing). This requires notice and an opportunity for the obligor to request a hearing, but suspension can occur within weeks if they do not respond. A suspended license often motivates payment quickly.
Property liens can be placed against real estate or other assets owned by the obligor. This prevents them from selling or refinancing property without paying the arrears first. Liens take longer to process—usually 4 to 8 weeks—but they remain in place until the debt is satisfied.
The state can also report arrears to credit bureaus, which damages the obligor's credit score and makes it harder for them to borrow money. This is automatic for cases referred to the state's enforcement program and requires no additional action from you.
When to ask for a court hearing or modification
If the obligor contests an enforcement action—such as wage garnishment or license suspension—they can request a hearing. You may be asked to testify about the arrears or provide proof of non-payment. The state's attorney will represent the enforcement action, but you should be prepared to answer questions about the support order and any payments received.
If the obligor's financial situation has changed significantly (job loss, illness, incarceration), they may request a modification of the support order itself, which could lower the monthly amount owed going forward. A modification does not erase arrears, but it can prevent future non-payment if the original order was set too high. You can also request a modification if your circumstances have changed and you need more support.
To request a modification, contact your local child support office or file a motion in district court. The court will review both parties' current income and expenses and may adjust the order. This process takes 2 to 4 months on average.
What documents to have ready when you report
Gather your child support order (the court document that sets the monthly amount) and any payment history you have—bank statements, cancelled checks, or receipts showing what the obligor has paid. If you receive support through the state's payment processing system, you can request a payment history from your local child support office.
Have the obligor's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number if you know it. If you know their employer's name and address, include that too—it speeds up wage garnishment. If the obligor has moved out of state, note their last known address.
Write down the amount of arrears (how much is owed) and the date the non-payment began. If payments stopped suddenly, note that. If payments have been sporadic or partial, describe the pattern. The more detail you provide, the faster the state can act.
Reporting non-payment if the obligor lives out of state
Texas can enforce child support orders against obligors in other states through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). When you report non-payment, tell the state that the obligor lives out of state and provide their address. The Texas Attorney General's office will contact the other state's child support agency and request enforcement.
Out-of-state enforcement takes longer—typically 8 to 12 weeks or more—because the case must be transferred between state agencies. However, the process is free and does not require you to hire an out-of-state attorney. Wage garnishment and tax intercept still work across state lines once the other state's agency takes action.
If the obligor moves frequently or their location is unknown, tell the state. They can use Social Security records, employment databases, and other tools to locate them before enforcement can begin.
What to do if enforcement stalls or fails
If the state's enforcement efforts are not working—for example, the obligor keeps changing jobs or has no income—ask your local child support office about other options. Some offices can file a motion for contempt of court, which can result in jail time for willful non-payment. Contempt is a last resort but is available if the obligor has the ability to pay but refuses.
You can also hire a private attorney to file a motion for enforcement in district court. A lawyer can pursue additional remedies, such as seizing bank accounts or forcing the sale of assets. This costs money but may be worth it if the arrears are large or the obligor has hidden assets.
If you believe the obligor is hiding income or assets, you can request a discovery process through the court, which compels them to disclose financial information. Your attorney or the state's attorney can file this request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report non-payment if I do not have a formal child support order?
No. You need a court order to report non-payment to the state. If you have an informal agreement with the other parent, you must first file for child support in district court. Contact your local child support office or a family law attorney to start that process. Once an order exists, you can report non-payment.
How much does it cost to report non-payment?
Reporting to the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division is free. The state investigates and enforces at no cost to you. If you hire a private attorney to file a motion in court, you will pay attorney fees, which vary by lawyer and case complexity.
What if the obligor says they paid but I never received the money?
Request a payment history from your local child support office. If payments were made through the state's system, they will show up in the official record. If the obligor paid directly to you and you have no proof, the state may not count it as official payment. Always ask the obligor to pay through the state's system or provide a written receipt so there is no dispute later.
Can the obligor go to jail for non-payment?
Yes, but only if a judge finds they willfully refused to pay despite having the ability to do so. Jail is not automatic—the obligor must be given a chance to pay or show they cannot. If they are jailed, it is usually for a short period (days to weeks) to motivate payment, not as permanent punishment.
How long does it take to collect arrears once I report?
It depends on the enforcement method. Wage garnishment can begin within 4 to 6 weeks. Tax refund intercept takes 60 to 90 days. License suspension can occur within weeks. Property liens take 4 to 8 weeks. Full collection of large arrears can take months or years if the obligor has limited income or assets.