Collecting child support from self-employed parents can be tough. Unlike regular employees, self-employed people do not get steady paychecks that can be easily garnished.
Knowing the challenges involved can help parents and officials find ways to make sure kids get the support they need.
Irregular income and hidden earnings
One big challenge in collecting child support from self-employed parents is their irregular income. Unlike salaried workers, self-employed people often have income that changes from month to month, making it hard to figure out the right amount of child support.
Some self-employed parents may also try to hide their real income by underreporting earnings or claiming too many business expenses. This makes it harder to calculate the correct amount of support.
No traditional payroll
Self-employed parents do not have a traditional payroll, which makes it difficult for the Texas Child Support Division to garnish wages. For regular employees, child support can be automatically taken from their paychecks, but this is not possible for self-employed individuals. Instead, custodial parents may need to use bank levies or other ways to collect payments, which can be more complicated and take more time.
Proving income and enforcing orders
Proving a self-employed parent’s income can be a major challenge. Unlike regular employees, self-employed people may not have standard documents like pay stubs or W-2 forms. Courts may require self-employed parents to provide tax returns, bank statements, and other financial records to prove their income.
Even with these documents, it can still be hard to enforce payments if the parent is uncooperative or refuses to follow court orders. Custodial parents may need to work with a family law attorney to get through the process and explore all options for enforcement.
Finding solutions for child support collection
Collecting child support from self-employed parents requires patience and a clear understanding of the challenges involved. Staying informed and persistent can make a big difference in ensuring children receive the support they deserve.