Child Support Lien - The lien that was filed has access to all of their assets.

[Heather B.]

Texas - My ex and I have four children and at the time of our separation, I had a child support order set up for our children($535/month). We have divorced since then and he has works for a company that allows you purchase a contract that classifies him as self employed at the beginning of last year. With that being said, the TWC does not show him as being employed or receiving wages from an employer. Unfortunately, my children and have not received a full months child support payment since then. He has two older children that are 22 and 21 years old - so I went into my local Attorney General's office and requested a modification and a non-compliance hearing at the end of last year. We were in court in May of this year and the outcome was very favorable for my children ($925/month - this includes both child/medical support arrears and 9% for medical support). Now the man did not pay $525 so you know how well he is doing now??? I spoke with a representative w/ the Attorney General's office and she informed that a lien was filed in October 08 to protect the balance of $10,062.00 in arrears. He has been married for a little over a year now and he and his wife are renting a very nice home($1300/month). They both have nice vehicles and she works out of her home. I am not sure if she is considered self-employed also though. I have done some research and have found out that the lien that was filed has access to all of their assets. I don't know if the have a joint checking account or not. I do know that they did receive a check from FEMA due to Hurricane Ike. He did inform me that he lost his contract with the company he does/not work for but his still has to pay them until someone else purchases the contract. He has a fellow co-worker who allows him to work his contract (so this guy pays him under the table). I did find also find out that I can file a Notice of Child Support Lien to "perfect" the lien that filed by the Attorney General's office. My ex is scheduled to go to court in February 2009 to have his DL suspended. I do realize that all of the information may be a bit overwhelming...but can you please explain what I should expect in the future?

His payment obligations are normally based on what he should be making, so his claims of less if that is what he is doing will not in the end help him.

He needs to pay and you should be persistent, even go to the district attorney for criminal charges if the amount remains large.

[tbyte]

The check from FEMA will not be calculated into support, though it may be intercepted if he owes arrears.