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If you are not receiving child support, you are not alone. Many parents in Fort Worth and Southlake face missed or delayed payments. Child support is not optional. It is a legal duty ordered by the court. When payments stop, Texas law offers clear ways to take action.
If you are asking, “What can I do if I am not receiving child support?” understand that you have options. Some are handled through the state. Others require private legal action and the help of a child support attorney. The right path depends on your situation.
Understanding Child Support Obligations
Child support orders are created and enforced under Texas Family Code Chapter 157. Under Texas law, the court orders the noncustodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent. The law requires the noncustodial parent to provide financial support based on their monthly net resources, using statutory guidelines that set a percentage of income to be paid for the child’s support. You can use our child support calculator to determine an estimate of your child support amount under Texas guidelines.
When a parent fails to pay, the court can step in. The law lists specific enforcement actions for nonpayment.
What If You Haven’t Received a Payment Yet?
If you have not yet received a payment, consider how your support is paid, which can affect its timing. Some child support payments are made privately, directly from one parent to the other. Other payments are required to go through the State Disbursement Unit.
Payments are more likely to be routed through the state when income is paid through an employer, when wage withholding is ordered, when the Office of the Attorney General has been involved, or when the court wants a formal payment record. This may be the case when compensation includes salary, bonuses, commissions, or multiple income sources, and the court wants clear documentation of what was paid and when.
When payments are processed through the state, delays can sometimes occur. Review your account information and contact the Texas State Disbursement Unit if a payment is late. If payments stop entirely, court enforcement may be necessary. A child support payment not received should never be ignored.
Common Reasons Parents Don’t Receive Payments
There are many reasons a parent may not get child support payments.
- The paying parent may have lost a job or changed income.
- Payments may be delayed when support is processed through the Texas State Disbursement Unit.
- Errors in addresses, bank details, or employer information can stop payments.
- Some parents deliberately stop making payments.
If you have not received a child support payment, it is important to take action quickly. Waiting too long can allow unpaid amounts to grow so large that it becomes difficult to recoup what you are owed.
Legal Remedies for Collecting Child Support in Texas
Texas law provides several enforcement tools when a parent has not paid child support. Some require court action. Others are carried out by state agencies once legal authority exists. These remedies include:
- Income withholding orders, which are issued by the court and then administered through employers and the State Disbursement Unit.
- Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses, which is typically initiated by the Office of the Attorney General after notice requirements are met
- Interception of tax refunds or lottery winnings, which is handled through state and federal agencies once arrears meet statutory thresholds.
- Property liens or seizure of certain assets, which usually require court involvement and are often pursued with the help of a private attorney
- Contempt of court, a judicial action that may include fines or jail time
These remedies are designed to protect children and ensure compliance.
How to Get Help Collecting Unpaid Child Support
If you need help with child support payments, there are steps you can take through the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division.
You can open or update a case with the Attorney General’s office and report missed or partial payments. The state can review official payment records, confirm arrears, and notify the paying parent of the delinquency. In some cases, the Attorney General may initiate wage withholding, intercept tax refunds, or pursue license suspension once statutory requirements are met. To use these options, you must cooperate with the state process, provide updated information, and respond to notices as required.
You may also take additional steps to collect unpaid child support with the help of a child support attorney. A private attorney can file a Motion for Enforcement, request a court determination of arrears, seek contempt findings for willful nonpayment, and pursue asset-based remedies such as liens. These legal actions are often necessary when state enforcement is slow or when the paying parent has complex income or assets.
Deciding When to Work with a Private Child Support Attorney
Many parents ask how to collect unpaid child support when the other parent refuses to cooperate. Court enforcement through private counsel is often the most direct solution.
The state does not prepare these filings or advocate for you in court. Court-based enforcement actions must be handled by an attorney. These actions involve filing motions with the court, presenting evidence of nonpayment, and appearing before a judge to request specific relief.
Working with an experienced child support attorney also helps when dealing with state enforcement via the Office of the Attorney General. An attorney can communicate with the OAG, obtain payment records, and coordinate both court and state actions, so you do not have to manage these processes yourself.
Having private representation often makes child support collection efforts more effective because an attorney can build a focused strategy, gather financial evidence, and advocate directly for the outcome you are seeking.
How MBH Helps Enforce Child Support
At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, we help parents who are not getting child support payments protect their rights. Our attorneys prepare and file enforcement actions. We represent clients at hearings. We track arrears and push for compliance.
Our firm is known for collaboration. Your case is not handled by one attorney alone. Our team works together and shares insight. This approach is especially important in high-stakes cases involving business owners or complex finances.
Get Help Collecting Child Support with MBH Family Law
If you are asking, “Why haven’t I gotten my child support payment?” it may be time to act. We help parents in Fort Worth and Southlake enforce court orders and move forward with confidence.
Schedule a confidential consultation to speak with a legal team prepared to protect your child’s financial future.