Consequences of Not Paying Child Support in Texas (2026 Guide)

• Wage withholding straight from your employer — the default in every order
• License suspension: driver's, hunting/fishing, and professional licenses (§232)
• Intercepts: federal tax refunds, lottery winnings, some insurance settlements
• Liens on bank accounts, vehicles, and real property; credit reporting
• Passport denial at $2,500+ in arrears
• Contempt: up to 6 months jail and $500 fine per missed payment proven (Ch. 157)
• Judgment + 6% interest — arrears survive bankruptcy and the child turning 18

First, file a modification now if your income dropped — reductions only apply from the filing date, never retroactively (§156.401). Second, pay something every month, even partial; judges treat "paid what I could and documented it" very differently from zero. Third, never miss the hearing — courts issue capias arrest warrants for no-shows. Inability to pay (involuntary job loss, injury) is a real defense under §157.008, but it must be proven with detail.

We defend enforcement actions and negotiate payment plans in Ector and Midland counties — and we also prosecute them for parents who aren't being paid. Consultation: (432) 366-6000.