Sec. 152.1844. CHILD SUPPORT SERVICE FEE IN NUECES COUNTY. (a) The Commissioners Court of Nueces County by order may provide for the collection of a monthly child support service fee in an amount set by the commissioners court not to exceed $5.

(b) The fee is payable annually and in advance. The first fee payment is due on the date that the payor is ordered to begin the child support payments. Subsequent annual payments are due on the anniversary of the date of the original fee payment.

(c) The court ordering the child support payment may assess the fee in a case in which a person is ordered to pay child support through the wife and child support division of the Nueces County district clerk's office. The court may assess the fee against the payor or payee or may waive the fee as to a particular person. If the order does not waive the fee or assess the fee against a particular person, the payor shall pay the fee.

(d) A person who refuses or fails to pay the fee on the date due or in the amount ordered is subject to an action for contempt. The action may be brought by the court on its own motion or as provided by law.

(e) The commissioners court by order may provide for the collection of a fee in an amount set by the commissioners court not to exceed $10 to be assessed as costs against a person who is ordered to pay child support and defaults and is cited for contempt of court.

(f) The district clerk shall collect the fees under this section and shall transfer the money to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall deposit the fees to the credit of the county general fund.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 352, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 272, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.