Child Support Payments Texas — Methods, Deadlines, and Late Fees
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Table of Contents
Texas State Disbursement Unit (SDU)
Texas SDU centralized payment processing:
- Operated by Texas OAG. Centralized state system
- Receives all child support payments
- Distributes to custodial parents
- Tracks payment history
- Reports to enforcement systems
- Provides accounting to both parties
- Wage withholding standard. Employer deducts and sends to SDU
- Direct payments through SDU. Self-employed and others
Payment methods
- Wage withholding. Texas standard; employer deducts from paycheck
- Online payment. Texas.gov payment portal
- Phone payment. Pay by credit/debit card
- Money order. Mailed to SDU
- Cashier's check. Mailed to SDU
- Wire transfer. Sometimes for special situations
- Direct deposit. Through OAG online portal
- MoneyGram or similar. Walk-in payment
Personal checks generally not accepted for new payments.
Payment timing
- Due date set by court order. Often 1st or 15th of month
- Wage withholding follows payroll schedule. Sometimes irregular due to pay periods
- Grace period. Typically very short or none
- Late after one missed payment. Technically
- Reported late after 30 days. Credit reporting threshold
- Arrearages accumulate. Interest may apply
- Enforcement at various thresholds
Late fees and interest
Texas Family Code §157.265:
- Interest accrues on arrearages. 6% annually on unpaid principal
- Interest calculated from due date
- Compounds annually
- Substantial accumulation over time
- Cannot be waived without court approval
- Federal tax intercept includes interest
- Liens include interest
Substantial arrears at 6% annually compound substantially. Example: $10,000 arrears growing to $13,400+ over 5 years uncollected.
Direct payments warning
Critical: Payments outside the SDU system not always credited:
- Direct payments to ex. Sometimes credited; sometimes not
- Cash payments. No paper trail
- Personal checks to ex. Easier to lose track
- Goods or services in lieu of payment. Generally not credited
- Gifts to children. Not credited
- Court approval needed. For deviations from SDU system
Best practice: Pay through SDU system. Document any direct payments thoroughly with court approval when possible.
Enforcement when payments stop
- Notice from OAG. Initial contact
- Wage withholding adjustment. If employer needed
- Texas OAG enforcement action. Various tools
- Credit reporting at $1,000+ arrears
- License suspension threats. Driver's, professional, recreational
- Tax refund interception. Federal and state
- Property liens. Real estate, financial accounts
- Passport denial at $2,500+ arrears
- Civil contempt motion. Court action
- Criminal nonsupport (§25.05) at 6 months arrears
- Federal nonsupport (18 USC §228) at substantial arrears
Texas Penalty Group 1 Charges by Weight
Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.115 charges escalate by weight:
| Weight | Offense | Range | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 g | State jail felony | 180 days-2 years state jail | $10,000 |
| 1-4 g | 3rd degree felony | 2-10 years TDCJ | $10,000 |
| 4-200 g | 2nd degree felony | 2-20 years TDCJ | $10,000 |
| 200-400 g | 1st degree felony | 5-99 years/life TDCJ | $100,000 |
| 400 g+ | Enhanced 1st degree | 10-99 years/life TDCJ | $100,000 |
Have a Texas legal question?
Call L and L Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. We handle criminal defense across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Call (972) 370-5060In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Key Legal Terms
- Penalty Group
- Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.102-481.105 classification of controlled substances by abuse potential and accepted medical use. Determines weight tiers and punishment ranges.
- Article 38.23
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure exclusionary rule. Evidence obtained in violation of any federal or Texas constitutional or statutory provision is inadmissible against the accused.
- Aggregation
- Texas H&S § 481.002(5) rule that the total weight of any controlled substance, including adulterants and dilutants, counts toward the offense weight tier.
- 3g Offense
- CCP Article 42A.054 list of offenses ineligible for judicial probation and requiring 50% sentence served before parole eligibility (formerly Article 42.12 § 3g).
- Pretrial Diversion
- Pre-charge alternative under CCP Article 32.02 in which the prosecution agrees to dismiss charges upon successful completion of conditions (counseling, community service, restitution).
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Texas child support payments paid?
Through Texas State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Standard wage withholding most common. Other methods: online payment, phone payment, money order, cashier's check, direct deposit through OAG portal, MoneyGram. Personal checks generally not accepted.
Are there late fees on Texas child support?
Interest accrues on arrearages at 6% annually under Texas Family Code §157.265. Interest calculated from due date, compounds annually. Cannot be waived without court approval. Substantial accumulation over time.
What if I pay child support directly to my ex in Texas?
Direct payments outside SDU system not always credited. Strongly recommend paying through SDU. If direct payments made, document thoroughly; sometimes require court approval. Personal checks, cash, goods/services in lieu often not credited.
What happens if I stop paying Texas child support?
Enforcement progressively: OAG notice, wage withholding, credit reporting ($1,000+), license suspension, tax refund interception, property liens, passport denial ($2,500+), civil contempt, criminal nonsupport (§25.05 at 6 months), federal nonsupport (18 USC §228 at substantial arrears).
How do I get my Texas child support payments?
Through SDU disbursement. Direct deposit available through OAG portal. Texas Way2Go card alternative. Some receive paper checks. Set up preferences through OAG online system at texasattorneygeneral.gov.
