In Texas, most parents agree to have guideline child support deducted from an obligor parent’s paycheck. However, it is within a court’s power to order child support through any of the following methods:
A periodic payment is a one which takes place at a recurring interval. A parent may elect to pay their ex-spouse at an agreed interval. When possible, all payments should be made through the Office of The Attorney General’s State Disbursement Unit (SDU). Payment through the SDU ensures that the state has an accurate and current record of all support accounts.
In rare circumstances, parents will agree to a one-time payment that satisfies a child support obligation in its entirety. While financially infeasible for many individuals, lump-sum payments protect from the possibility of future disputes over periodic payments.
An annuity purchase allows an obligor parent to fully satisfy his support obligation through a lump-sum payment to a brokerage firm which will disburse periodic payments to a beneficiary.
Upon the entry of a final decree of divorce, a court may set aside a certain property (real or personal) for the sole benefit of a child.
Pursuant to federal law, when a trial court orders income withheld for child support, the trial court must order that these funds be “paid to the state disbursement unit of this state, or if appropriate, the state disbursement unit of another state.” Once a Texas court issues a child support order, an amount may be withheld from an obligor’s disposable earnings. Pursuant to the Texas Family Code Section 158.001: In a proceeding in which periodic payments of child support are ordered, modified, or enforced, the court or the Title IV-D agency (The State of Texas Attorney Generals office) shall order that income is withheld from the disposable earnings of the obligor as provided by this chapter.