The Texas Attorney General’s Office Gives a Back-to-School Message to Parents

“Pay your child support,” is the message coming from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office today as children in the state prepare to start the 2015-16 school year.

“Every year around this time, Texas children get ready to head back to the classroom. Their young minds are filled with anticipation and excitement of seeing old friends, making new ones and starting fresh,” stated a press release.

The release also noted that the start of a new school year is a special occasion for children, and they depend on their parents for their basic needs including food, shelter, health care, and back-to-school clothing. Therefore, it’s important for moms and dads to be there and to share the joy of providing support. Paying child support, however, isn’t just about money and necessities. Research shows children who receive child support from their parents regularly have fewer behavioral problems, make better grades and stay in school longer than those children who do not. Additionally, parents who pay child support are more likely to take an active role in their kids’ lives.

“Children with two involved, caring parents are more self-confident, more likely to exercise self-control and less likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to drug use and early pregnancy,” said AGO representatives.

The Child Support Division with the AGO, at the end of the 2014 fiscal year, collected more than $3.8 billion in child support, and the Office of the Attorney General will continue to do the same this fiscal year.

Overall, most parents in Texas do pay their court-ordered child support every month, but for those parents who need extra encouragement, staff at the AGO said it's their hope that the new school year will bring renewed commitment to do the right thing. They believe all Texas children deserve the security that comes with parents who show they care enough by making child support payments, and they deserve to lead healthy and productive lives.

For those parents in need of child support services, contact the Child Support Division at the Attorney General’s Office for assistance. The Division can help with the following:

• establish paternity;
• locate a noncustodial parent;
• establish and enforce child support and medical support orders;
• review and adjust child support payments; and
• collect and distribute child support payments.

The Attorney General’s Office accepts applications from mothers, fathers and other individuals in need of child support services. They can apply by calling the 24-hour voice response system at (800)252-8014, or by visiting Child Support Interactive on the main Attorney General website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov. Parents who receive financial assistance through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission automatically receive child support services.