Enforcement is the process of obtaining payment of child support using a variety of mandated legal and administrative procedures if the non-custodial parent does not pay as ordered. The obligation of support continues until a child turns 18 years of age; or if the child turns 18 and is still in high school, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19 years of age, whichever comes first.
When the non-custodial person does not pay, enforcement action may be necessary.

Unless the court has approved an alternate method of payment, child support payments must be withheld from a parent’s wages. Within 15 days of the date an employer is located, the Notice to Withhold is sent to the employer. The Notice to Withhold requires the employer to withhold a certain amount of money from the employee’s wages and send it into the Department of Child Support Services within 10 days. The Notice to Withhold remains in effect for as long as the parent is employed.

If the non-custodial parent is self-employed, arrangements must be made for the payment of the child support. Such arrangements might include automatic bank withdrawal or payments made directly to the Department of Child Support Services.

More than half of the parent’s net wages may not
Be deducted unless the court says otherwise. Child
Support is deducted first, before any other withholding
Order.

REFUSING TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT IS AGAINST THE LAW ! ! !

If a non-custodial parent has the ability to pay child support, and willfully refuses to pay the child support, the Department of Child Support Services can seek a contempt citation in court. This enforcement tool is generally used as a last resort when all other attempts to collect the child support have failed.

Other enforcement tools that the Department of Child Support Services can use to collect child support are:

Credit Reporting:

Child support payments can affect a person’s credit rating. Each child support payment as well as the lack of a child support payment is reported to the major credit reporting agencies.

Passport Denial:

If more than $5000 in past due child support is owed, no passport will be issued or renewed by the U.S. State Department until all support arrears are paid. Arrangements must be made to bring the child support current before traveling outside of the United States.

Suspending Licenses:

Past due child support can result in permanent, state-issued licenses being suspended or withheld. The State Licensing Match System is used to match parents who owe child support with business, professional and driver’s licenses. These licenses include cosmetologist, contractor, doctor, teacher, attorney and more.

Franchise Tax Board Child Support Collection Program:

When a person is more than $100 and 60 days pas due in their child support, the Department of Child Support Services alerts the Franchise Tax Board. The Franchise Tax Board can take funds from bank accounts, rental income, royalties, dividends and commissions. The Franchise Tax Board can also issue an Earnings Withholding Order, and take real and personal property, such as vacant land, cash, safe deposit box contents, vehicles and even boats to collect child support.

Income Tax Intercepts:

Tax refunds can also be intercepted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board to pay past due child support.

Lottery Intercept:

Lottery winnings can be taken to pay both current and past due child support.

Disability Insurance Benefit Intercept:

25% of state disability payments can be taken to pay current and past due child support obligations.

Unemployment Insurance Benefit Intercept:

25% of unemployment payments can be taken to pay both current and past due child support.

Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Match System:

Lump sum workers’ compensation awards can be taken to pay past due child support.

Liens:

Liens against personal and real property can be placed to collect child support.