How to Get Medical Support in Texas From a Deadbeat Dad
When single mothers have children with medical needs, every dollar counts. Unfortunately, not every parent supports his children and single mothers have to take extensive legal and enforcement actions to get the financial help they need for their children's health. The State of Texas offers considerable resources to help mothers and children get the financial and medical support they need.
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Instructions
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Review your family court rulings on custody and child support to see what you have the right to expect. If the order includes money specifically for medical insurance or medical costs, then you can proceed with enforcement options. If your ruling doesn't include medical support but your child's situation now requires it, you will need to file for a change in support status.
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File for changes to your child support entitlement through your county's family court or the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Services office if your child has developed a serious medical problem since a judge last reviewed your case. Usually, courts award child support designed to cover all necessary costs of raising a child including medical care. Medical support is typically for specific medical needs. You can't get help with enforcement unless you have a written order for medical support. You may need an attorney if you go through the family court system, and a judge may require a hearing and evidence of the child's medical condition.
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Apply to Child Support Services (CSS) to locate your child's father if you don't know his whereabouts. The state can help you obtain contact information for free. Before you can get court order enforcement, you or your attorney need to try to communicate with him and give him the opportunity to fulfill his obligations. Enforcement officers and family court judges will need evidence of your efforts, so keep track of phone calls, emails and letters. Also keep track of newspaper advertisements and any other communications you receive or attempt.
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File for enforcement of your court ordered medical support with Child Support Services. The attorney general makes information and forms available online, although you can also call and speak to a CSS agent who can assist you over the phone. CSS will need a copy of your court order, information on any payments you received from your child's father and evidence of your attempts to collect medical support yourself as well as the details of any communications.
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Wait for CSS to do its job. If child support enforcement agents contact you with questions, respond to their queries quickly and honestly. This helps them in their work and expedites results. CSS may need to use private investigators and work with employers and courts to garnish your child's father's wages. The process can take time and some people can be elusive. When CSS succeeds, an agent will inform you and ensure you receive your medical support money as quickly as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
If your child has a medical problem and you cannot afford treatment, or medical costs are creating a financial burden, talk to the Texas Medicaid office and county department of health. Getting support from a deadbeat dad can take time and government programs may be able to provide you quicker relief. Government help does not relieve fathers of their support obligations.
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