Child Support works to collect payments in full and on time.
Many parents pay child support willingly and fully each month. For these parents, enforcement is not necessary.
Enforcement action will be taken when payments are not consistent, timely and in full. Some actions happen automatically when the past-due amount reaches a certain amount and some actions are taken after a Child Support worker reviews a case and takes an action. Enforcement is available on cases receiving Full Services.
|
Enforcement Action |
How does it work? |
When is action taken? |
|
Intercept Federal Tax Refund and Federal Administrative Payment |
Information about the parent who owes past-due support is submitted to the IRS and other federal agencies. Any payment the parent is entitled to may be sent to Child Support instead of the parent who owes past-due support. |
$500 owed to the parent who receives support $150 owed to the state |
|
Information about the parent who owes past-due support is submitted to the State Tax Department. Any payment the parent is entitled to may be sent to Child Support instead of the parent who owes past-due support. |
$25 past-due |
|
|
The past-due amount is reported to credit reporting agencies which can affect the credit score of the parent who owes the amount. |
One month past-due |
|
|
Deny Passport |
The parent who owes past-due support is not allowed to get or renew his or her passport. |
$2,500 past-due |
|
Suspend Licenses |
Driver’s license Occupational license Recreational license (such as hunting and fishing license) |
2 months or $2,000 past-due, whichever is less or breach of a payment plan |
|
Suspend Vehicle Registration |
Disallow the renewal of vehicle tabs and prevent the transfer of a vehicle title. |
2 months or $2,000 past-due, whichever is less or breach of a payment plan |
|
Interest Charges on Past-due Amounts |
Interest charges will accrue on support not paid in the month in which it is due. |
All past-due support |
|
Named on Lien Registry |
The Lien Registry is a public website listing parents who owe past-due support which creates a lien/claim against that parent’s real and titled personal property. Being on the Lien Registry may affect the parent’s ability to sell certain property or get a loan. |
$25 past-due |
|
Intercept Gaming and Lottery Winnings |
Gaming operators and the Lottery Division check with Child Support before paying out winnings in an amount that requires reporting to the IRS. If the winner owes past-due support the funds are sent to Child Support. |
Required to report the payout amount to the IRS. |
|
Freeze and Seize Assets |
This includes things like freezing and seizing bank accounts, certain garnishments, and deduction orders. |
Past-due amount |
|
Order to Show Cause Hearing |
Court hearing where a judge or referee gets information about the child support case and determines if the parent who owes past-due support is willfully not paying. It is very important for the parent who owes past-due support to attend the hearing or a warrant for arrest may be issued. The parent who receives support may attend the hearing, but attendance is not required. |
Past-due amount |
|
Found in Contempt of Court |
A judge or referee determines the parent who owes past-due support is willfully not paying. The parent who is found in contempt of court may be sentenced to jail time, fines, license suspension, and will be listed on the child support website. |
Past-due amount and willfully not paying support |
|
Criminal Prosecution |
A parent who willfully fails to pay child support can be prosecuted for criminal nonpayment of child support. If found guilty it can be up to a Class C felony. |
Past-due amount and willfully not paying support |