
§ 203.004. POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a) A domestic relations 
office may:       
		(1)  collect and disburse child support payments that 
are ordered by a court to be paid through a domestic relations 
registry;
		(2)  maintain records of payments and disbursements 
made under Subdivision (1);
		(3)  file a suit, including a suit to:                                        
			(A)  establish paternity;                                                    
			(B)  enforce a court order for child support or 
for possession of and access to a child;  and
			(C)  modify or clarify an existing child support 
order;                    
		(4)  provide an informal forum in which:                                      
			(A)  mediation is used to resolve disputes in an 
action under Subdivision (3);  or
			(B)  an agreed repayment schedule for delinquent 
child support is negotiated as an alternative to filing a suit to 
enforce a court order for child support under Subdivision (3);
		(5)  prepare a court-ordered social study;                                    
		(6)  represent a child as an amicus attorney, an 
attorney ad litem, or a guardian ad litem in a suit in which:
			(A)  termination of the parent-child relationship 
is sought;  or           
			(B)  conservatorship of or access to a child is 
contested;                 
		(7)  serve as a friend of the court;                                          
		(8)  provide predivorce counseling ordered by a court;                        
		(9)  provide community supervision services under 
Chapter 157;              
		(10)  provide information to assist a party in 
understanding, complying with, or enforcing the party's duties and 
obligations under Subdivision (3);
		(11)  provide, directly or through a contract, 
visitation services, including supervision of court-ordered 
visitation, visitation exchange, or other similar services;  and
		(12)  issue an administrative writ of withholding under 
Subchapter F, Chapter 158.
	(b)  A court having jurisdiction in a proceeding under this 
title, Title 3, or Section 25.05, Penal Code, may order that child 
support payments be made through a domestic relations office.
	(c)  A domestic relations office may:                                          
		(1)  hire or contract for the services of attorneys to 
assist the office in providing services under this chapter;  and
		(2)  employ community supervision officers or court 
monitors.               

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  
Renumbered from V.T.C.A., Family Code § 203.005 and amended by 
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 475, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended 
by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 702, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 
1999, 76th Leg., ch. 859, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;  Acts 1999, 
76th Leg., ch. 1191, § 1, eff. June 18, 1999;  Acts 2001, 77th 
Leg., ch. 1023, § 50, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 
ch. 172, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 2005;  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 199, 
§ 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.

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Last modified: August 10, 2007