Potter County Texas

Policies and Procedures
What to expect in Title IV-D Child Support Court in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale, Oldham, Potter and Randall Counties:

1. IV-D Court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Jeremy Fowler. Unless a party is specifically notified, Potter and Randall County cases are held at the Historic Potter County Courthouse, 500 S. Fillmore, Suite 601, Amarillo, Texas. The Court travels to individual counties for hearings held in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale, and Oldham.

2. Access into the Potter County Historic Courthouse is located on the south entry of the building only.

3. Parking is available in the Potter County District Courts parking lot,

4. Your appearance may be as short as 5 minutes or as long as four hours.It is unpredictable.There are several factors to consider: how many people appeared, does your case require a formal hearing, etc.Try not to have any important engagements that day.

5. Remember you are coming to Court.

   Please dress appropriately!  Do not wear shorts, tank tops, or other revealing clothing.  If you are not dressed properly, you will be asked to change prior to entering the courtroom. 

   DO NOT BRING CHILDREN TO COURT.  There are no activities or play areas for children.  You will be bored if you have to wait and so will they.  Brining a child will not get your case heard first and only the child suffers.  If your case is of a type that the child may be a witness or interviewed by the judge, the judge (and only the judge) will reset the case with specific instructions on when to bring the child to court.  All DNA testing is performed offsite.

6. Appearing by Phone

   Judge Fowler does not allow persons to appear by phone unless a party is active-duty military personnel or incarcerated persons who have requested in writing to participate in hearings.

7. Requesting a Continuance

   Parties can request a continuance by filing a written request with the respective District Clerk for which the case is filed.  A copy of the continuance needs to be served by mail, fax or email on the Office of the Attorney General at the address listed below: 

              

   Mail:    301 S. Polk St., Suite 201, Amarillo, Texas 79101

   Fax:      (806) 374-4813

   Email:  CSD-legal-103@texasattorneygeneral.gov

   Continuances should contain the cause number and OAG number for the case, reason for the request, and contact information so that the court can contact you.  DO NOT assume a continuance has been granted until you receive confirmation from the court regarding your request.  FAILURE TO APPEAR MAY RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF A DEFAULT ORDER OR A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST.

8. Do the parties need to be represented by lawyers?

   The parties may hire lawyers to represent them or may speak for themselves without a lawyer. If you need additional time to hire an attorney, please inform Judge Fowler or the Attorney General Staff.

9. The Attorney General does not represent any party. They only represent interest of the State.

    

10. Inclement Weather Closings:

    The IV-D Court in Potter and Randall Counties will close if the Amarillo ISD is closed due to inclement weather.  For hearings in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale and Oldham, contact the District Clerk’s Office in the respective County.

11. Contacting the Attorney General

    Address: 301 S. Polk, Suite 201, Amarillo, Texas 79101

    Phone: (806) 376-4471

    Fax: (806) 374-4813

    Email:CSD-legal-103@texasattorneygeneral.gov

    Most frequent reasons to contact Attorney General:

a.    File for Child Support, modify or enforce child support;

b.    Update contact information such as addresses and phone numbers;

c.    Advise of new employment;

d.    Father and mother have reconciled and would like to close their case;

e.    Obtaining new copies of paperwork;

f.    To inquire if the other parent has been served with their paperwork;

g.    Request your case be transferred to County of residence of child; and

h.    CIN number and OAG number.

i.    Child Support Payments should be made to the following:

            Child Support Disbursement Unit

            P.O. Box 659791

            San Antonio, Texas 78265-9791

**All Payments should include your 10 digit OAG number. **

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DIRECTLY CONTACT THE JUDGE BY MAIL, EMAIL, PHONE OR IN PERSON ABOUT ANY PENDING OR POTENTIAL LAWSUIT!  DOING SO MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Texas Council on Family Violence (www.getchildsupportsafely.org)

• Family Support Services (http://www.fss-ama.org/)

• Legal Aid of North West Texas (http://www.lanwt.org/)

• Texas Workforce Commission (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/)

• DARS – Disability and Rehabilitative Services (http://www.dars.state.tx.us)

• Texas Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Division(https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support)

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Policies and Procedures
What to expect in Title IV-D Child Support Court in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale, Oldham, Potter and Randall Counties:

1. IV-D Court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Jeremy Fowler. Unless a party is specifically notified, Potter and Randall County cases are held at the Historic Potter County Courthouse, 500 S. Fillmore, Suite 601, Amarillo, Texas. The Court travels to individual counties for hearings held in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale, and Oldham.

2. Access into the Potter County Historic Courthouse is located on the south entry of the building only.

3. Parking is available in the Potter County District Courts parking lot,

4. Your appearance may be as short as 5 minutes or as long as four hours.It is unpredictable.There are several factors to consider: how many people appeared, does your case require a formal hearing, etc.Try not to have any important engagements that day.

5. Remember you are coming to Court.

   Please dress appropriately!  Do not wear shorts, tank tops, or other revealing clothing.  If you are not dressed properly, you will be asked to change prior to entering the courtroom. 

   DO NOT BRING CHILDREN TO COURT.  There are no activities or play areas for children.  You will be bored if you have to wait and so will they.  Brining a child will not get your case heard first and only the child suffers.  If your case is of a type that the child may be a witness or interviewed by the judge, the judge (and only the judge) will reset the case with specific instructions on when to bring the child to court.  All DNA testing is performed offsite.

6. Appearing by Phone

   Judge Fowler does not allow persons to appear by phone unless a party is active-duty military personnel or incarcerated persons who have requested in writing to participate in hearings.

7. Requesting a Continuance

   Parties can request a continuance by filing a written request with the respective District Clerk for which the case is filed.  A copy of the continuance needs to be served by mail, fax or email on the Office of the Attorney General at the address listed below: 

              

   Mail:    301 S. Polk St., Suite 201, Amarillo, Texas 79101

   Fax:      (806) 374-4813

   Email:  CSD-legal-103@texasattorneygeneral.gov

   Continuances should contain the cause number and OAG number for the case, reason for the request, and contact information so that the court can contact you.  DO NOT assume a continuance has been granted until you receive confirmation from the court regarding your request.  FAILURE TO APPEAR MAY RESULT IN THE ISSUANCE OF A DEFAULT ORDER OR A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST.

8. Do the parties need to be represented by lawyers?

   The parties may hire lawyers to represent them or may speak for themselves without a lawyer. If you need additional time to hire an attorney, please inform Judge Fowler or the Attorney General Staff.

9. The Attorney General does not represent any party. They only represent interest of the State.

    

10. Inclement Weather Closings:

    The IV-D Court in Potter and Randall Counties will close if the Amarillo ISD is closed due to inclement weather.  For hearings in Armstrong, Briscoe, Deaf Smith, Hale and Oldham, contact the District Clerk’s Office in the respective County.

11. Contacting the Attorney General

    Address: 301 S. Polk, Suite 201, Amarillo, Texas 79101

    Phone: (806) 376-4471

    Fax: (806) 374-4813

    Email:CSD-legal-103@texasattorneygeneral.gov

    Most frequent reasons to contact Attorney General:

a.    File for Child Support, modify or enforce child support;

b.    Update contact information such as addresses and phone numbers;

c.    Advise of new employment;

d.    Father and mother have reconciled and would like to close their case;

e.    Obtaining new copies of paperwork;

f.    To inquire if the other parent has been served with their paperwork;

g.    Request your case be transferred to County of residence of child; and

h.    CIN number and OAG number.

i.    Child Support Payments should be made to the following:

            Child Support Disbursement Unit

            P.O. Box 659791

            San Antonio, Texas 78265-9791

**All Payments should include your 10 digit OAG number. **

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DIRECTLY CONTACT THE JUDGE BY MAIL, EMAIL, PHONE OR IN PERSON ABOUT ANY PENDING OR POTENTIAL LAWSUIT!  DOING SO MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

HELPFUL LINKS:

• Texas Council on Family Violence (www.getchildsupportsafely.org)

• Family Support Services (http://www.fss-ama.org/)

• Legal Aid of North West Texas (http://www.lanwt.org/)

• Texas Workforce Commission (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/)

• DARS – Disability and Rehabilitative Services (http://www.dars.state.tx.us)

• Texas Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Division(https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support)

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