By Fuentez Law Firm | November 5, 2025
Losing your job is one of life’s most stressful events—bills pile up, uncertainty looms, and the last thing you need is the added pressure of child support or spousal support payments you can no longer afford. In Texas, falling behind on these obligations can lead to severe consequences: wage garnishment, license suspension, damaged credit, or even jail time for contempt of court.
But here’s the good news: Texas law allows for modifications when there’s a material and substantial change in circumstances—like unemployment. You don’t have to face this alone. At Fuentez Law, we’ve helped hundreds of clients in Houston and across Texas navigate job loss while protecting their rights and avoiding penalties.
Yes—absolutely.
Under the Texas Family Code, you can request a modification if your income has decreased by at least 20% or $100 (whichever is less) and the change is expected to last. Unemployment—whether due to layoff, company closure, or industry downturn—qualifies as a “material and substantial change.”
But timing is critical. The court won’t automatically pause your payments just because you’re unemployed. You must file for relief before falling behind.
Warning: Waiting too long can create arrearages (past-due amounts) that accrue 6% annual interest. Even one missed payment can snowball into thousands in debt.
Don’t wait for an enforcement letter from the Texas Attorney General. File a:
Include proof of job loss:
Ask the court for temporary relief while your case is pending. This can:
Courts want proof your situation has changed significantly and you’re acting in good faith. Bring:
Texas courts prioritize the child’s best interest, but they also recognize real financial hardship. An experienced attorney can:
If you’re already behind, we can:
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “The court will automatically stop payments if I’m unemployed.” | ❌ You must file for modification. |
| “I can just pay what I can afford.” | ❌ Partial payments still count as non-compliance. |
| “Unemployment benefits don’t count as income.” | ✅ They do—but usually at a lower rate. |
| “I’ll go to jail for missing one payment.” | ⚠️ Possible after repeated non-payment and contempt findings. |
The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is aggressive about child support collection. They can:
But you have rights. With the right legal strategy, you can:
We’ve successfully modified support orders for:
No case is too complex. We offer:
If you’ve lost your job and can’t make support payments, one call can change everything.
📞 Call Fuentez Law now: (713) 397-2278 💻 Schedule online: fuentezlaw.com/consult 📍 Serving The Woodlands, Magnolia, and Spring Texas
Don’t let financial hardship become a legal nightmare. There is hope—and help—available.
Tags: #ChildSupport #SpousalSupport #JobLoss #TexasFamilyLaw #SupportModification #HoustonLawyer #FuentezLaw
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