What happens if you don't pay child support in Texas?

Texas can enforce unpaid child support through wage withholding, suspension of driver's and professional licenses, passport denial, tax refund interception, liens, credit reporting, and contempt of court, which can include fines and jail.

Child Support Enforcement in Texas

Written and kept current by Donald C. Nemec, a Texas family-law attorney (State Bar of Texas No. 24049967) with 18 years in Texas courts. Last reviewed against the Texas Family Code on May 16, 2026.

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When child support goes unpaid, Texas has strong tools to collect it. Enforcement is handled by the courts and by the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Child Support Division.

How Texas enforces child support

Income withholding. Most orders are paid automatically by an income withholding order sent to the paying parent's employer.
License suspension. Driver's licenses, professional licenses, and hunting/fishing licenses can be suspended for nonpayment.
Passport denial. A parent who owes substantial arrears can be denied a U.S. passport.
Tax refund interception. Federal tax refunds can be intercepted and applied to arrears.
Liens. Liens can be placed on bank accounts, real estate, and other property.
Credit reporting. Past-due support can be reported to credit bureaus.
Contempt of court. A parent who can pay but won't can be held in contempt — which can mean fines and jail time.

Interest and the size of arrears

Unpaid child support accrues interest in Texas, so arrears grow over time. Past-due support generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy and does not simply disappear.

If you've fallen behind

Falling behind is serious, but it is better to act than to ignore it:

If your income has dropped, file to modify the order right away — support only changes from the filing date, so waiting costs you.
If you are facing an enforcement action, you have the right to respond and to present your circumstances to the court.

If you are owed child support

The receiving parent can ask the court — or the OAG — to enforce the order. A motion for enforcement asks the court to collect the arrears and can request the remedies above.

Frequently asked questions

Can child support arrears be forgiven? The other parent can agree to compromise arrears that are owed to them, but arrears assigned to the State (from public assistance) are treated differently. Get any agreement into a court order.

Does enforcement stop when the child turns 18? The ongoing obligation ends, but arrears remain collectible until they are paid in full.

This is general information, not legal advice. Enforcement and nonpayment cases move quickly and the stakes are high. For help on either side, contact Nemec Law Office, serving Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties.