The consequences of failing to pay child support on time include interest and penalty amounts assessed by the child support services division of your state’s Office of Attorney General, the department of revenue, or other government agency responsible for enforcing child support payments on behalf of the state. Penalties may also include court action (civil and criminal contempt charges); suspension of the obligor’s driver’s license; reporting the delinquency to creditor reporting agencies; denial or suspension of the obligor’s passport privileges; and liens on the obligor’s properties, bank accounts, life insurance plans, retirement plans, personal injury claims, and other assets.
In Texas, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General can enforce various penalties. Interest accrues on unpaid child support at a rate set by state law. The state may also impose additional penalties, such as filing liens against the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets. Texas can suspend an obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and even recreational licenses for non-payment of child support. The state has the authority to report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit rating. Furthermore, the obligor's passport can be denied or suspended, and they may face civil or criminal contempt charges, which could result in fines or imprisonment. These enforcement measures are designed to ensure compliance with child support obligations and to protect the interests of the children involved.
