Everyone Deserves A Fresh Start

What is CSRP?

On Behalf of | Feb 5, 2016 | Paternity |

Government loves acronyms. You’ve got your POTUS (President of the United States), your SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States), FBI and CIA. In Texas we have the DSHS (Department of State Health Services) and TxDOT stands for the Department of Transportation. One that is regularly used at the OAG (Office of the Attorney General) is CSRP; which stands for Child Support Review Process.

That last one also happens to be one that attorneys in Dallas experienced in helping clients address family law issues are quite familiar with. What CSRP does is provide parents, whether they are married or unmarried, a means by which to resolve legal concerns related to child support without having to go to court.

Proponents of the process hold to the theory that by removing such matters from the courtroom environment it becomes less costly and helps foster more positive family relationships. Whether that is always the case depends on a lot of different factors, and of course, because issues of parental rights are at stake, it’s always a good idea to consult with an attorney to be sure you know what your rights are.

Those familiar with CSRP generally agree that it tends to lead to the most positive outcomes when both parents participate voluntarily and openly. It involves contacting your local child support office to set things up. Both parents usually meet with a support officer. If being present in person isn’t possible, the conference can be handled by phone.

The objective of CSRP is to achieve a negotiated agreement on the various possible family law orders that might be required under Texas law. These might include:

  • Establishing paternity
  • Determining support requirements and visitation plans
  • Arranging for payment of back child support or support in arrears
  • Modifying support levels due to changes in circumstance
  • Child support enforcement

Whether CSRP might be right for you is something that depends on your circumstances — a review of which is best done under the guidance of a trusted attorney.

Source: Txaccess.org, “CSRP/ Know Before You Go,” accessed Feb. 4, 2016

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