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Retroactive Child Support or Child Support Arrearage?

Bob Leonard Law Group, PLLC

Feb 23, 2015

Retroactive Child Support or Child Support Arrearage?

Child Support Arrearage? Retroactive Child Support? Know Your Rights

Retroactive Child Support or Arrearage? Know Your Rights!

Retroactive Child Support and a Child Support Arrearage are two different things. 

These are two terms that non-lawyers (and the occasional lawyer) frequently confuse: retroactive child support and child support arrearages.

A child support arrearage occurs when there is unpaid child support that is already owed.  The unpaid support is called an arrearage.  Basically, what has happened is that for whatever reason, the parent who has been ordered to pay support has gotten behind.

 

There may be a good reason for getting behind, such as a long illness, or a period when the person paying support has been out of work.  However, the support is still owed, and the arrearage must be paid.  Very often the Attorney General is involved in an arrearage matter.  It is possible to go to the Attorney General and work with their office to make arrangements to pay the arrearage over a period of time.  Hire an experienced attorney to represent you with the attorney general.  Remember the AG works for the state, not for you.

 

Choosing to ignore the arrearage is a terrible.  You may find your wages garnished, your income tax or other lump sum payment seized.  Texas take child suppport obligations seriously and has powerful tools it can use to collect the money!

 

Retroactive child support occurs when there has been no previous child support order and the judge orders that child support should be paid from a previous time.  A good example of this is, if the child is a year old before the court case is filed, the judge can order child support from the birth of the child.

 

There is a general presumption that it is reasonable for go back as far as four years, but the judge can go back ever further if he or she decides that it is in the best interest of the child.

About the Author: Bob Leonard Jr  is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a claim that less than one-percent of Texas lawyers can make.  Bob has been serving citizens since the 1980’s when he was an elected State Representative for western Tarrant County. Accepts child support arrearage and collection cases in Tarrant County and Parker County, Texas.   

Expert Retroactive Child Support Assistance

817-336-8500  

info@bobleonardlawgroup.com

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