What Happens If You Miss a Child Support Payment
Family Law Guidance for San Antonio, TX and Nearby Areas
Missing a child support payment in Texas is a serious matter, and it can lead to legal, financial, and even criminal consequences. If you’re living in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne, or other nearby communities, understanding the potential outcomes and how to respond is crucial.
Immediate Consequences of Missing a Child Support Payment
The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) takes missed child support payments seriously. If you miss a payment, the custodial parent or OAG may take enforcement actions, which can include:
- Wage garnishment
- Suspension of your driver’s license or professional license
- Intercepting your tax refunds
- Negative credit reporting
- Contempt of court charges, which can lead to fines or jail time
How Many Payments Can You Miss Before Legal Action?
Even one missed payment can trigger enforcement. However, falling behind by more than one month increases the risk of aggressive collection measures. The state uses various tools to collect past-due support (arrears), and interest may accrue over time.
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay?
If your financial circumstances have changed due to job loss, illness, or other factors, you must act quickly:
- File a motion to modify your child support order. The court may reduce your payments, but only after you file.
- Communicate with the other parent and attempt to work out temporary solutions, though only a court order can officially change your obligation.
- Keep making partial payments if you can. Showing effort matters in court.
What You Should Never Do
- Ignore court orders
- Stop paying altogether without a court-approved modification
- Rely on verbal agreements not filed with the court
How an Attorney Can Help
A family law attorney can help you:
- File a petition to modify child support in Bexar County or surrounding counties
- Defend against enforcement actions or contempt of court
- Protect your rights while prioritizing your child’s best interests
Local Support in San Antonio and Beyond
At Denis Law Group, we help build families. We do this by assisting clients in San Antonio, TX, as well as New Braunfels, Boerne, Schertz, and surrounding areas, with child support enforcement and modification matters. Whether you’re behind on payments or trying to enforce a support order, we offer compassionate, results-driven representation.
Need Help with a Child Support Case?
Contact Denis Law Group today to schedule a consultation. Serving clients across San Antonio and the surrounding South Texas communities, we’re here to help you take the next step forward.
📞 (210) 941-6938