Have you ever heard the term “deadbeat dad”? It refers to parents who avoid their legal and moral duty to support their children financially. In Texas, child support is not just a parental responsibility; it’s enforced by laws designed to ensure that children receive the care and financial stability they deserve.
At the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett, PLLC, we understand the challenges parents face in securing child support payments. As a dedicated family law attorney in Round Rock, TX, Katy M. Lovett is committed to helping you with these legal issues and bringing about the resolution your family needs.
If you’re struggling with child support enforcement, don’t wait. Call 512-956-5356 or reach out online to schedule a consultation today.
Deadbeat Dad Meaning
The phrase “deadbeat dad” is often used to describe a father who has the ability to pay child support but refuses to do so. A deadbeat dad is usually the non-custodial parent (the one without primary custody) who willfully avoids paying court-ordered child support.
This is not the same as a parent who is going through a hard time financially but is still making an effort to pay. There’s a difference between struggling to keep up and refusing to fulfill your parental and financial responsibilities.
While the term “deadbeat dad” is common, Texas law also recognizes that deadbeat moms exist too. Mothers and fathers can be considered deadbeat parents when they ignore their legal duty to support their children, and both can be held accountable for non-payment.
Deadbeat Dads and Child Support
Child support payments are meant to help cover a child’s basic needs—things like food, clothing, housing, school supplies, and medical care. When a father refuses to pay, it doesn’t just hurt the other parent—it usually directly affects the child’s quality of life. The custodial parent, often the mom, is left to cover all expenses alone, leading to stress, financial struggle, and feelings of resentment in the household.
Unpaid child support doesn’t go away—it builds up over time as arrears, and that money is still owed, no matter how long it’s been. Child support services exist to help parents collect what’s owed, but the process can feel overwhelming without guidance. A trusted Round Rock child support attorney can help you take legal steps to hold a deadbeat dad accountable so your child receives the support they need for a better life.
What Is the Deadbeat Dad Law in Texas?
In Texas, refusing to pay court-ordered child support is more than just a family issue—it’s a crime. Under Texas Penal Code Sec. 25.05, a parent who is legally required to support their children and intentionally avoids paying child support can be charged with criminal non-support, a state jail felony.
The law works alongside the Texas Family Code, which outlines how child support should be handled and what parents are expected to pay. Willful non-payment shows a lack of concern for the child’s needs, and the court doesn’t take that lightly. Whether it’s ignoring the payments or trying to avoid them altogether, the consequences can include fines, arrest, and jail time.
How to Get Child Support from a Deadbeat Dad in Texas
If a parent refuses to pay child support, the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) can step in to help collect what’s owed. The OAG has several ways to enforce payments, such as taking money from paychecks, suspending licenses, or blocking passport renewals.
While the Office of the Attorney General offers support, the process isn’t always quick or easy. That’s why reaching out to a Round Rock child support enforcement attorney can make a difference. Attorney Katy M. Lovett can handle conversations with the OAG, take the proper legal steps, and help you get the support your children deserve.
Consequences for Missing Child Support Payments in Texas
When a parent refuses to meet their court-ordered child support obligations, they can face serious consequences. The Office of the Attorney General may use wage garnishment to take money directly from a paycheck, intercept tax refunds, and file liens against property, bank accounts, retirement funds, life insurance, or other assets.
They also have the power to suspend important licenses—including driver’s licenses, professional or job-related licenses, and even hunting and fishing licenses. If the parent tries to obtain or renew a passport, that can be denied, too, limiting their ability to travel. In more serious cases, a deadbeat parent can be held in contempt of court, which may lead to fines or jail time.
These enforcement tools are meant to hold parents accountable and help families get the support their children are entitled to.
Can Deadbeat Dads Go to Jail for Not Paying Child Support?
Texas law doesn’t specify an exact number of missed payments that can occur before an arrest warrant is issued. However, once a parent falls behind, the state begins tracking the unpaid amount, and enforcement actions can begin.
The child support enforcement agency and the Office of the Attorney General monitor past-due payments closely. If a parent continues to ignore a court-ordered child support agreement, the court may issue a capias warrant, which gives law enforcement the authority to arrest the parent for non-payment.
Struggling to Get Child Support Payments from a Deadbeat Dad? Call the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett Today.
If you’re dealing with a deadbeat dad who refuses to pay child support, you don’t have to face it alone. Your children deserve the support they’re owed, and the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett in Round Rock, TX, is here to help.
Whether you need help enforcing child support payments, holding a deadbeat parent accountable, or dealing with court orders, our legal team will stand by you. As an experienced Round Rock court order enforcement attorney, Katy M. Lovett understands the struggles families face and will work to create real solutions for you and your children.
Call 512-956-5356 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a trusted Round Rock child support enforcement attorney today.
