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 Montana, when a parent (the obligor) fails to pay court-ordered child support and falls into arrears, the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) under the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services can take several enforcement actions. These actions may include initiating court proceedings that could lead to civil or criminal contempt charges against the non-paying parent. The CSED also has the authority to suspend the obligor's driver's license and professional or recreational licenses. Additionally, the CSED can report the overdue support to credit bureaus, which may affect the obligor's credit rating. The agency can also intercept federal and state tax refunds, deny or suspend passports, and place liens on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets such as life insurance and retirement plans. These enforcement measures are designed to compel compliance with child support orders and ensure that children receive the financial support they are entitled to.