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  In Texas, both parents are equally responsible for the care of their children, with the non-custodial parent (usually the father) being held accountable by law to make regular court-ordered child support payments. Child support enforcement in Texas is the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney General so mothers or custodial fathers needing help getting child support from the non-custodial parent can turn to the AG's office for assistance and advice.
  
  

Child Support Calculation

• Texas law bases child support on a simple calculation of 20 percent of the father's (or non-custodial parent's) net income for one child, 25 percent for two children, 30 percent for three children, 35 percent for four children and 40 percent for five or more children. If the father has a change in income, he can petition the court for a recalculation, but only if the mother agrees.
  
  

Garnishing Wages

• All child support payments in Texas must be garnished from the father's (or non-custodial parent's) wages. This ensures that all child support payments are made. If the father loses his job or changes jobs and fails to set up the garnishment, the Texas legal system has the legal obligation to track him down for non-payment and force payment or imprison the father for up to six months on charges of contempt of court.
  
  

Health Care Coverage

• Every child is entitled to health insurance coverage and in Texas, the father or non-custodial parent is required to supply that coverage. The mother (or custodial parent) can provide the insurance coverage if it's not available through the father's employer, but the father will need to reimburse the mother for all health care expenses. This health insurance coverage is separate from child support, so it is not included in the state-calculated child support obligations.
  
  The father (or non-custodial parent) also must pay for health care costs outside of regular insurance premiums and routine doctor or dental co-pays. This includes dental work, X-rays, emergency room visits, eye glasses or contacts and prescriptions.
  
  

Failure to Pay Child Support

• In addition to imprisonment, the state of Texas has a few other avenues for collecting child support money from the non-paying father. When a non-custodial parent fails to pay child support, the state of Texas has the right to confiscate money from the father, such as lottery winnings and tax refunds before the parent can access it. The father (or non-custodial parent) could also lose his drivers license as well as any professional or recreational licenses (such as hunting or fishing) he holds.
  
  

The Attorney General's Office

• The father or non-custodial parent will need to keep the Texas Attorney General's Office apprised of changes in address, employer and employment status so that garnishment arrangements are kept up to date. Keeping the AG's office informed will help prevent lapses in the mother repayment of child support.
  
  The AG office's website provides the father or non-custodial parent options for making child support payments online if needed to catch up or while waiting for garnishment to take effect.