Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Family Code § 158.215: WITHHOLDING FROM LUMP-SUM PAYMENTS.

(a) In this section, "lump-sum payment" means income in the form of a bonus or an amount paid in lieu of vacation or other leave time. The term does not include an employee's usual earnings or an amount paid as severance pay on termination of employment.
(b) This section applies only to an employer who receives an administrative writ of withholding in a Title IV-D case.
(c) An employer to whom this section applies may not make a lump-sum payment to the obligor in the amount of $500 or more without first notifying the Title IV-D agency to determine whether all or a portion of the payment should be applied to child support arrearages owed by the obligor.
(d) After notifying the Title IV-D agency in compliance with Subsection (c), the employer may not make the lump-sum payment before the earlier of:
(1) the 10th day after the date on which the employer notified the Title IV-D agency; or
(2) the date on which the employer receives authorization from the Title IV-D agency to make the payment.
(e) If the employer receives a timely authorization from the Title IV-D agency under Subsection (d)(2), the employer may make the payment only in accordance with the terms of that authorization.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 228), Sec. 34, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 767 (S.B. 865), Sec. 20, eff. June 19, 2009.

Where this section sits in the code

FAMILY CODE
TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
SUBTITLE B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
CHAPTER 158. WITHHOLDING FROM EARNINGS FOR CHILD SUPPORT
SUBCHAPTER C. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF EMPLOYER

(b) This section applies only to an employer who receives an administrative writ of withholding in a Title IV-D case.

(c) An employer to whom this section applies may not make a lump-sum payment to the obligor in the amount of $500 or more without first notifying the Title IV-D agency to determine whether all or a portion of the payment should be applied to child support arrearages owed by the obligor.

(d) After notifying the Title IV-D agency in compliance with Subsection (c), the employer may not make the lump-sum payment before the earlier of:

(1) the 10th day after the date on which the employer notified the Title IV-D agency; or

(2) the date on which the employer receives authorization from the Title IV-D agency to make the payment.

(e) If the employer receives a timely authorization from the Title IV-D agency under Subsection (d)(2), the employer may make the payment only in accordance with the terms of that authorization.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 228), Sec. 34, eff. September 1, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 767 (S.B. 865), Sec. 20, eff. June 19, 2009.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:10Z. Source file · JSON

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