For the first time, Texas parents who fail to pay child support may be blocked from vehicle registration renewals beginning in December.
The Hays County Tax Collector, Luanne Caraway, says parents who are 180 days late or more on child support payments will be blocked from registering by the end of the year.
However, there is still time left to make up the payments. Starting Sept. 1, the Office of the Attorney General will send out letters to parents about their delinquent payments. Texas law gives the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles the power to deny registration renewal requests for parents who haven’t paid in a minimum of six months.
Parents will have to contact the Attorney General’s Office to pay the amount they owe for their children. The letter sent to parents will detail the necessary steps to take.
The total amount does not have to be paid upfront, the Attorney General’s Office is requesting parents at least set up a payment plan to cover the costs they missed. The office sends out daily electronic updates to the TxDMV to release the hold as soon as a payment is made.
To find out if you owe child support payments that will block you from registration call the Attorney General’s Office at 866-646-5611 or visit www.txdmv.gov and Child Support Division website.
Parents who continue to avoid payments, end up on the Child Support Evaders list, which names the top offenders police are looking to arrest and how much they owe.
The law only applies to those renewing their vehicle registration. Those who buy a new or used car will not be affected. Additionally, the law does not apply to those who co-own a car.
(Story from KXAN.com)
