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 Massachusetts, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Enforcement Division can take various enforcement actions. Interest and penalties may accrue on overdue child support payments. The DOR can also bring the obligor to court for civil or criminal contempt charges. Consequences of non-payment can include the suspension of the obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. The state may report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit score. Additionally, the DOR has the authority to deny or suspend the obligor's passport, place liens on property, and intercept tax refunds, lottery winnings, and other state or federal payments. The DOR can also garnish wages and seize assets from bank accounts, retirement plans, and other financial resources to satisfy child support arrears. These measures are in place to ensure compliance with child support orders and to protect the financial well-being of children.