The child support process can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Knowing what comes next can help you feel prepared and empowered to participate in the process.
The Child Support Process
Because each family is unique, each family's child support case is unique. Here is a list of topics that may apply to you.
1. Establish Paternity
One of the most important parts of a child support case is establishing paternity—i.e., legal fatherhood. Paternity establishment can help dads build an emotional bond and a legal relationship with their child(ren).
2. Establish a Court Order
A child support order establishes the amount of child, medical and dental support a noncustodial parent must pay each month. In Texas, child support orders also address conservatorship (custody) and possession and access time (visitation).
Learn more about Establishing an Order
3. Collect Child Support
The Child Support Division is responsible for collecting and disbursing support payments. There are a variety of ways for parents to pay or receive child support.
Learn more about Paying & Receiving Child Support
4. Enforce Child Support
When a parent fails to pay their support obligation, we will use the tools we have available, including asking the court to enforce its court order.
Learn more about Child Support Enforcement
5. Support Texas Families
Our mission is to help children get the support they deserve. That's why we are constantly developing new, innovative ways to serve Texas families.