Is there a Statute of Limitations Concerning Money Judgment for Child Support?

Yes.
The court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction retains jurisdiction to confirm the total amount of child support arrearages and enter judgment for past-due child support. The statute of limitations concerning a money judgment is ten years. The suit must be filed within ten years from the date the child becomes an adult, or the child support obligation terminates. (157.005(b)).

Top 7 Questions To Ask When Taking Care of Kids During a Divorce

If you are divorcing or are recently divorced, it is vital that you keep your children's best interest in mind.  It is often easy to loose your bearings as you are caught in a whirlwind of legal activity and emotional distress which all divorces bring.  This turmoil can make it hard to determine if you are doing all you can do to for your child.  So here are the top seven questions you should ask yourself to make sure you are still being the best parent you can be during a divorce.

1.  Are you being there for your child?  You will be drained and you will want to withdraw into yourself during a divorce, but your children need to know that you are still there for them and you will continue to provide emotional support during this time.  Divorce is stressful on everyone and your child needs to know that you are there to answer their questions and help them process their painful feelings.  You do not need to be instantly available 24/7, and everyone needs some mental downtime, but you must make it a point to generally be there when your children need some answers, or just some hugs.

2.  Are you giving your kids needed encouragement and approval?  Kids of all ages seek out the encouragement and approval of their parents.  It is vital to their self esteem to know that you think of them often and are proud of them.  Particularly at a time when they are submerged in self doubt over the divorce, you have to show them in both expressed and subtle ways that you think they are great.  Be generous with your praise.  Carry their pictures in your wallet and their drawings on your desk.  Constantly stoke their self-esteem by praising them.  Now more than ever, they need to be assured that they are worthy of being loved.

3.  Are you treating your kids like people?  Your kids are unique individuals with their own personalities, and perspectives.  You need to be sensitive to their experience of the divorce and how they can be different from yours.  

4.  Are you trying to have a positive relationship with the other parent?  Even though you feel you would be better off having less contact with your ex, or soon to be ex, spouse, this may not be what is best for your kids.  Research has shown that children make the best recovery from divorce when both parents are actively involved in the children's life and the interaction is conflict free.

5.   Are you modeling to your kids how to handle stress?   Divorce is an extremely stressful time.  If you demonstrate your ability to handle the stress of divorce without resorting to becoming violent, verbally abuse, or using drugs or alcohol, you kids will know that it is ok if you occasionally express anger and frustration.  Kids need to see you handle stress without losing control.  They then won't be fearful when you get angry.   

6.  Are you maintaining family and community ties?  Chances are you kids are experiencing the loss of a full-time parent.  They should be allowed to find the comfort of familiar surroundings and support such as scout leaders, church leaders, friends and neighbors.  You may feel like you want to get away and start a new life from your old, but your children need the familiar ties of their community especially at this time.

7.  Are you making every effort to peacefully resolve issues with your ex, or soon to be ex, spouse?  Your kids will be less fearful and stressed if they see you and the other parent working cooperatively.  If they observe examples of flexibility, consideration and cooperation, in resolving parenting issues, they will be less fearful that the aftermath of the divorce will be a never-ending battle of wills- with them in the middle.

Divorce is one of the most painfully stressful times in anyone's lives - and even the most well meaning of parents can fall into a spiral of emotion where they forget to keep their children's best interest at the front of their attention.  When you find yourself in an emotional tailspin from divorce, ask yourself these seven questions to keep your perspective - and your focus on being the best parent you can to your children.   

10 Tips for Newly Single Fathers

After you have won a custody suit, there is often a period of adjustment.  You and your children may be in a much better situation now that you have won your suit, but your family will be facing a whole set of new challenges in the days, weeks and months ahead.   Here is some practical advice on making that transition easier.

Tip #1:  Don't try to be be a Super-Father.

As much as you want to be, you can't be all things to everyone. Being a single parent means that you are trying to maintain a household with less resources of time and energy.  Something has to give. Usually that will have to be work.  Whether it was part of your life plan or not, you have accepted the role as a single father.  Usually this means that your career path will not be the same.  Don't fall into the same frustrating trap that many feminists fell into in thinking you can be a great father and still keep up with men who can devote all their time to work.  Something has got to give.

Tip #2: Consider talking to your boss.

You may want explain to your boss your new living situation.  In some cases, this may make things easier for you. Consider your situation before you do so though.  There are a few places where the boss will think a single parent makes a bad employee.  But you will find this less often than ever before.  Convince your boss of your commitment to the job and you may find they will be more flexible if they know you are a single parent.

Tip #3:  Don't make any major work changes.

If you can avoid it, don't make any dramatic changes to your career or work schedule.  You should give yourself some time to adjust to your new lifestyle and if your work situation is in transitional chaos, you will feel overwhelmed.

Tip #4: Inform your children.

If they are old enough, explain to your children about the demands of your work.  Assure them that you are there for them and you want to be with them, but you also have to work to bring money in.  Explain it to them in a way that will not make them feel guilty for asking for your time.  They should understand that you are under pressure, but they should not feel they are the cause of that pressure.

Tip #5:  Define when you can contact your children.

If non-emergency calls are allowed at your work, then you are lucky, and your children can call you when they want.  But in any case, you should make your children understand when it is appropriate to call.  Explain the what is a real emergency and what is not. If you can call your children at a certain time, such as a lunch break, let your children know you will be calling them to check in.  Keep it consistent.

Tip #6:  Don't reinvent the wheel if you don't have to.

Chances are that you are not the only person at your work who is in a similar situation.  Talk with your co-workers.  Find out how they are handling their child care issues.  By asking a few questions, you may be able to tap into a whole network of resources you didn't know existed.

Tip #7:  Pick your day care -carefully.

No matter what your occupation or situation, you will eventually need day care for your child.  Your selection of day care is critical.  There are many options out there and you have to pick a center that make sense for you.  At a minimum, make sure the facility is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services:  http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Child_Care_Standards_and_Regulations/default.asp
Call the TDFPS to see if there are any complaints about the facility.  Ask to speak to other parents who use the center.  If possible, take your child there and see what his/her reaction is (although that should not be the determinant factor in choosing).

Tip #8: Keep your kids in the loop.

If old enough, let your kids know your work schedule and where you will be.  Try to avoid last minute meetings or sudden over-time.  It will reassure your children to know where you are and when you will be back.

Tip #9:  Teach your kids how to handle strangers.

Your children should know how to deal with callers or visitors when you are not home.  For example, they should not tell a stranger that you are not home, simply that you can't come to the phone right now.  No one should come to the house when you are not there, and they should not open the door at any time.  These rules should be in place even if you have a caretaker in your home.

Tip #10:  Be Firm, But Be Flexible

Be consistent with your rules, but be willing to renegotiate your rules as your children get older.