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 Virginia, when a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) under the Virginia Department of Social Services can take several enforcement actions. These actions may include filing for civil or criminal contempt charges, which could result in fines or jail time for the non-paying parent. The DCSE can also suspend the delinquent parent's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. Additionally, the DCSE has the authority to report the overdue child support to credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit rating. The agency can also intercept federal and state tax refunds, deny or revoke passports, and place liens on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets such as life insurance policies 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.