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 New York, when a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) can take various enforcement actions. These actions are designed to compel the obligor to fulfill their child support obligations and may include both civil and criminal court proceedings for contempt of court. The OAG can also suspend the delinquent parent's driver's license and report the non-payment to credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit score. Additionally, the OAG has the authority to deny, restrict, or suspend the obligor's passport, making international travel difficult or impossible. Liens can be placed on the obligor's property, bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement plans, personal injury claims, and other assets to secure payment. These enforcement measures are intended to ensure that child support payments are made promptly and to uphold the best interests of the child.