Divorce is the largest part of family law, but it is more than that. Family law also includes annulment, paternity, spousal support, family violence injunctions and relief, adoption, modification of divorce decrees, and enforcement of support orders. For information on divorce, click here. Post-divorce modification and enforcement are part of this page, along with paternity, adoption, and other considerations. The legislature and the courts have gotten quite serious about enforcement of child support obligations.
Many courts require that a wage withholding order be prepared at the time of divorce.
Some courts require that all child support payments be made through a guardian ad litem program which automatically seeks jail time for persons failing to pay child support. Managing conservators seeking help in collecting past due support which was not paid through a guardian ad litem program can look to the Texas Attorney General's office. Under most circumstances, a managing conservator may hire an attorney to seek to collect past due child support. This is usually done through asking the Court to find the nonpaying person in contempt of court. Contempt is punishable by fines and jail time.