We share responsibility for enforcing child support orders with the court.

We can take certain enforcement actions without the court. The court can also take actions that we cannot.

Enforcement actions that we can take include:

• Issuing income-withholding orders
• Reporting to credit agencies. For example, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian
• Suspending licenses. For example, driver’s licenses, business licenses, or professional licenses
• Denying passports
• Claiming money from accounts in a bank or other financial institution
• Withholding part of some benefits. For example: unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and workers’ compensation
• Taking all or part of some lump sum payments. For example: state and federal tax refunds, lottery winnings, or legal settlements

Some enforcement actions start once a certain amount of time has passed without payment. Others start when child support debt on a case gets above a certain level.

Typically, court actions only start on one of our cases after our actions have not led to payments.

Enforcement actions that the court can take include:

• Ordering someone to answer questions in court
• Requiring a person who pays support to seek employment
• Prosecuting people who have the ability to pay but refuse to do so

Help with Enforcement Actions

Contact us with questions about enforcement actions we can take. We answer questions from both parents about these actions every day.

You can also contact your local Family Law Facilitator. They have experience helping parents understand both the actions we take and those taken by the court.