Child Support - Houston,TX

Once the child support is awarded it does unfortunately take some time to get it in motion. You have to register with the child support division and then once that is done they set up his payments schedule and it can take a few months. They are slow as molasses there. However if you have an attorney why hasn't he/she requested temporary support until the child support hearing? If your soon to be ex hasn't paid you anything to help can't your attorney point this out to the judge so the judge can make him give you some money until the child support kicks in. I am sure they can do this. Please be careful here though. I guess I am a worry wort however if you had to file a protective order against your husband, you did it for a reason. I assume he can get upset easily. With the way things are going today and people exploding over issues especially family issues, do push him over the edge if you feel he will do something. Just sit back and wait for the child support to kick in, however if you don't think he will do anything then by all means get the court to help you. Protective orders really do nothing unless you can call for help if he comes around and they can remove him. Good Luck to you. Things will get better for you and your children. I know it is a struggle but I had been there before and I looked back a year or so lately and wondered why I hadn't left him eariler than I did. Good Luck.

Once you go to court and they stipulate an order, they will start deducting it from his paycheck the next month, (Make sure you ask for wage garnishment!! Be specific!! I would guess that you will have your first payment within 8-10 weeks of the court date. If he has been at his job a long time and stays then you are in luck and should be able to count on it every two weeks like clock work if he has a good employer, otherwise well its not good. There are several assistances programs out there. Best of luck to you! Direct deposit is the way to go btw. Also if you were married for more then 10 years spousal support is an option too. Also part of his pension, whatever was put in while you were together you would be entitled to half. Along with half of the assets aquired while together. Apply for assistance with school lunches, they have a lower electric rate for those who qualify. Call your creditors and explain your situation a lot of them have special programs to help people who are struggling. Dont be afraid to ask! The worst they can say is no.

There is an office at the courthouse that the child support is filed after the court order. It can be a check/money order sent to the State, then they cut a check to you. Or it can be deducted from each paycheck. When the State receives money from him, they send it to you. It can even be sent as a direct deposit which is in your hands much quicker. Call the child support office at your courthouse. Have your cause # ready.
Also, get in touch with your companies about the bills. See if can help lower rates or know where you can some assistance. Don't be shy about asking & pursueing. If you are renting from apartments, ask if they know where you can get help. I doubt highly you are the first to ask as they deal with many people.
Hang in there honey!

First NEVER rely on child support EVER! Most parents are uncaring and pay a little here and a little there--for whatever their reason. To answer your question the Judge normally orders it from that month on. You need to make sure you get it in the orders that his employeer is ordered to take it out--most counties now require this anyway. Just make sure you cover yourself. Then share your order with the AG immediately and start an inforcement order with them. Then as long as he works with a ligit company you will get child support with the AG's assistance. If he works under the table -- good luck ever seeing it. Never say he would not do that to his kids--only 10% of parents pay their child support as ordered!

Where do you live? In spring branch there is the MAM (memorial assistance ministries) and I believe there are branches all over town. This ministry helps people with rent, food, medical and social work . Maybe you could speak with a pastor and if you don't have a church I would definitely get involved in one. People are willing to help those in need if they have a way to do it. God's blessings to you and your family

This could take any where from 2 weeks to a month. After the court date. Depends on the system. But girl learn not to depend on any man, you can do this on your own, I have for 10 years now and it has taught me alot. Good Luck and
Hang in there!!!!

Just wanted to add that Sheila S. hit the nail on the head. It all depends on your ex, where he works and how he gets paid. Mine went on for two years without making a payment. Yes I live in TX and yes it really happened. He pays every now and then these days, but just often enough to keep the AG off his back. If he is self employed or works on commission it can be much harder for the AG to enforce payment as there may not be standard pay checks to garnish. If he is slimy, he may do as my ex did and change jobs often to avoid his responsibilities. My daughter is almost 11 and this started when she was 18 months. I have learned to treat child support as a treat when it comes and to definitely not expect it or rely on it as it is not dependable. As unfair as it sounds, we as mothers are the only ones that can/will make sure all of our child's needs are met. Make yourself the shelter in the storm for your child/ren. Someone they know they can count on and will make sure they are taken care of. You need a good support system. Friends and family are essential. Good luck, you can do it!! God Bless...

It could take months. It is better to learn to live on your own than to wait for CS. Most CS offices are so overworked and they do not have the time nor do they care. They get more $$ from the Feds based on how deliquent parents are.

Typically, once a CS order is entered, the employer has to get a copy and then they have up to 6 weeks to start the garnishment. If he leaves or changes his job, then you will start over.

Good luck.

A., I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation because it is definately not fun. I havn't read your responses so please forgive me if I'm repeating. First of all don't count on child support. It's a mistake & will get you into trouble. I fought for my divorce & finally got the divorce in April of this year. Even though we had not been together for 2 years, he was only made to pay back until August of 2008 along with Health Insurance, however he gets to pay that out $25 extra per month. Needless to say he will be paying forever to get that taken care of. In Texas they will garnish his wages, however if he is like a subcontractor, where he doesn't have taxes taken out he is on his own to send in the money. The Attorney General office is about useless in getting help to recover the funds so good luck with them. Oh and regardless if he pays or not, he still gets to have all of his visitation. It's not a just system. Talk to your attorney & stress the importance, however don't count on it. You probably won't see a dime until January or possibly February depending on how quickly the courts move. Best of luck & hope this gets better for you.

Hello A.,

If you have an attorney, he should be paying some sort of support..NOW. If you are going through the courts without an attorney, your court date will determine the amount you are to receive. (The state of Texas has a rate of 20% of his income for one child) You should receive your child support within two weeks of your court date. One thing I will ask that you DO NOT DO is to negotiate on the percentage of child support that you are to receive...unless it is for more money. I hear often about women that feel guilty for taking THAT much money from their ex. It is not about being nice or mean, it is about taking care of your kids. I wish you and your children the best. You have done the right thing in keeping you and your kids safe. Be strong and go forward with great faith.
Take care,
Danabeth S.
www.organizeddivorce.com
DivorceTalkRadioLive.com (Radio show on Blogtalk coming soon)

A.--

I must agree with all of the responses below. You will have to make ends meet on your own and only look at any money you get from him as a bonus. AG's office is of no help for the most part and neither is the Court system. Even if they are right out in the open, if they play the system right, you will hardly ever see a dime, but your attorney will.

I've been fighting my ex for over two years because he flat out refuses to pay unless I take him to court, and then when I get him there, then he pays large sums of money, "borrowed", to make it look good in court. But then also still wants full visitation rights. So basically he wants to play, but not help pay for his responsibility.

It's reality as one person said. The system is sad.

I raised 3 kids without child support. While we were married (15 years)we had a successful business but when my ex left he worked under the table for cash. The last time I received CS was the last time we both appeared in court. The AG's office was NO HELP. They put the burden of locating him on me and when I did find an address, they waited until he moved to try to serve him with "papers." He left in 1990 and we were finally divored in 1992. Eventhough he owes at least $50,000 in CS plus half of uninsured medical bills and insurance he was suppose to pay the AG's office closed our case because my kids are now 23, 25 and 29. Unfortunately you can not count on CS. Pray alot, be there for your children, love them and yourself. Do not count on CS becasue it is a lie!!!!

Your lawyer should have already requested from the courts a temporary assistance from your husband. Talk to your lawyer.

I agree with Lorene. Not all men are the same but the child support has to be plan B. If your soon-to-be-ex has a steady job, the office of attorney general will start garnishing his wages but it takes a while to do. Once child support is established, don't rely on the OAG to hold his feet to the fire. It takes about 3-6 weeks to get money coming in. They're so overwhelmed with all the dead beats YOU have to be the one to drive the process.

Good luck but the best advice I can give to you is base your bills only on hat you make because any child support you are said to get is not garaunteed.... I have been fighting my daughters father for five years for child support and he is more than $20000 behind and if I depended upon his support to make the bills I would be sleeping on the streets with my daughter.
I dont mean to make it sound harsh but its reality. the system has a hard time tracking him down and if he doesnt want to be found - or if he wants to claim he doesnt have a job - as long as he gets paid under the table - I can not prove other wise.

If htey know how to play the system - there is always a way around it. -

I am not saying ALL men are like this - just be prepared that there are some - and that the system is slow and not a given. Base your bills on what your income is and anything you get from him is a bonus and spending money.

Good luck and if you need anything or someone to talk to - let us know.....