Two Agencies Reporting The Same Debt

[Bob A.]

I am currently paying off a child support arrearage.

I live in California, my daughter (who is emancipated), and my ex-wife live in Texas. Texas has jurisdiction in this matter. I send the payments through San Diego County Child Support Services, and they in turn send the payments to Texas.

Both the Texas Attorney General's Office and San Diego County Child Support Services have reported to the credit agencies. It looks like I have two different cases when in fact they are both the same account.

Can both Texas and California report this? If the answer is no, then which report should I dispute?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Is the problem that you didn't keep up on payments once California began its enforcement action, such that you ended up with a prior delinquency in Texas, the California viewing you as separately delinquent on whatever repayment schedule they imposed through their courts?

[Bob A.]

Mr. Knowitall,

Thank you for your reply.

"Is the problem that you didn't keep up on payments once California began its enforcement action, such that you ended up with a prior delinquency in Texas"
No that is not the case. I haven't missed any payments. In fact, in an effort to get this mess cleared up ASAP, I have paid more than the amount the court ordered me to pay. I've sent $2414.00 more than what the court ordered.

"California viewing you as separately delinquent on whatever repayment schedule they imposed through their courts?"
The order that went through the Texas courts is the exact same order that went through the California courts. Texas forwarded the court order to California.

Also, I just spoke with a credit counselor over the phone. She said reporting the same debt twice is definately not according to Hoyle. She said to contact all three credit agencies and one of those two reports has to go.

Thank you again.

[garrula lingua]

The agency doing the enforcing should do the reporting - California is collecting, through their interstate division, on behalf of Texas.

Texas, more or less, assigned collection rights to CA when they requested registration of the support order in California (the only way CA can enforce).

The cs order was registered in CA & is enforced in CA; ramifications for non-pmt would come from CA (driving privilege suspension, tax intercept, prosecution for non-pmt).

Texas should not be reporting the debt. I would contact both agencies: the Attorney General's office in Texas (they have a website), and the county in California which is collecting support. One should help you clear this up.

Calif will pobably be most responsive, and may intercede, on your behalf, with Texas. Be sure you ask to speak with the Interstate Division of child support in CA.

[Bob A.]

Thank you for your reply garrula lingua.

"The agency doing the enforcing should do the reporting - California is collecting, through their interstate division, on behalf of Texas.
Texas, more or less, assigned collection rights to CA when they requested registration of the support order in California (the only way CA can enforce)."
I agree, Texas should remove their report. I have filed a formal complaint with the Texas AG's office. I have also disputed Texas' report with Equifax and I will also dispute the Texas report with the other two credit reporting agencies. I will publish the final outcome or the blow by blow in this forum.

Thanx again.

[garrula lingua]

Bob, try explaining to CA also - the intestate division. Depending on the County, they may call Tx and request correction.

Good luck.

[Bob A.]

The following is an e-mail I sent to the Federal Office of Child Support in Washington:
08/17/2006 03:51 AM
I live In California, my ex wife and daughter live in Texas. My divorce was in
Texas, Texas has jurisdiction in my child support case.
California garnishes my wages and sends child support to Texas. Texas initiated
and registered the order in California.
If I have arrearages, which state reports to the credit agencies, Texas or
California?

The response I received:
Check with your state for specific information - generally the initiating state
would be the one to report the arrearages to national credit companies. States request that a responding state use the enforcement remedies that are only available through the obligor's own state.


Texas is the initiating state, California is the respondent. I will contact California(San Diego County Child Support Messes) and ask that thwey remove their report. I'll publish the results.