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 Louisiana (LA), if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Support Enforcement (CSE) section can take several enforcement actions. Interest and penalty amounts may be assessed on overdue child support. The CSE can also initiate court action, which may lead to civil or criminal contempt charges against the non-paying parent (obligor). The state may suspend the obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. Delinquency in child support payments can be reported to credit bureaus, affecting the obligor's credit rating. Passport privileges may be denied or suspended, and liens can be placed on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets such as life insurance and retirement plans. The state may also intercept tax refunds, lottery winnings, and other government benefits to cover unpaid child support.