When a parent ordered to pay child support (the obligor) fails to make the payments (is in arrears), the Office of the Attorney General in your state may take one or more actions to enforce the child support obligation. These enforcement actions may include court action (civil and criminal contempt charges); suspension of the obligor’s driver’s license; reporting the delinquency to credit reporting agencies; denial or suspension of the obligor’s passport privileges; and liens on properties, bank accounts, life insurance plans, retirement plans, personal injury claims, and other assets.

In Iowa, when a parent (the obligor) fails to pay court-ordered child support, the Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU), which operates under the Iowa Department of Human Services, can take several enforcement actions. These actions may include filing for civil or criminal contempt charges, which could lead to fines or imprisonment for the non-compliant parent. The CSRU also has the authority to suspend the obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. Additionally, the CSRU can report the overdue child support to credit bureaus, potentially affecting the obligor's credit score. The agency may also intercept federal and state tax refunds, deny or suspend passports, and place liens on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other financial assets. These enforcement measures are designed to compel compliance with child support orders and ensure that children receive the financial support they are entitled to.