Questions About Support in Texas

My husband & I have been married for 13 years w/ two children. Last week his employer received an employment verification form from the attorney general. We of course were floored. He called in & was given a womans name & childs name. He did not recognize either one. He was told the child would be 17 this month. This would have made him 18 when she was conceived. It is possible that it was a fling, as when he was young he was pretty wild. He told the rep. that he wanted a blood test. My question is after 17 years of not hearing from this woman or child can he be held reliable? Will he be forced to pay back child support as well? At this point I don't know what to do. We have two young children of our own. I don't understand why someone would wait so long to try to collect. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

The child is still a minor. He can be required to pay child support. He should request a DNA test.

Thanks Aaron. Will he have to pay back child support also? Does the support only extend until the child turns 18? If so, I am just baffled @ why she waited 17 years to try to contact him!

Most likely, he will not have to pay back child support.
He shouldn't pay ANYTHING in child support until he gets a DNA test.
You may be able to nip this in the bud, by finding out where the child was born, and ask for a copy of the birth certificate.
If his name isn't on it, then that's a step in the right direction.
If his name is on it, it's definitely time for a DNA test ( which the mom should pay for)

If the court orders a DNA test and it establishes paternity, depending on state practice it is possible that the cost will be assigned to the father.

In Texas they can order up to 4 years of back support after paternity is established, but that may be less likely if the mother never attempted to notify the father of the pregnancy or the child. Also, as far as the birth certificate is concerned, if no father is listed at all, I don't think that helps your case. On the other hand, if another man is listed on the birth certificate, then that opens up other possible defenses for your husband.

Once the AG finishes gathering information, they may file a suit to establish parent-child relationship. Your husband will have 20 days to respond after he is served by the constable. Your response can/should be a request for a hearing and a request for a DNA test. The AG's office will pay for the DNA test UNLESS your husband is found to be the biological father, in which case the court may order your husband to pay the cost of test as well as all other court fees.