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 Maryland, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA) within the Department of Human Services can take several actions to enforce payment. Interest may accrue on unpaid child support. The CSEA has the authority to report delinquencies to credit bureaus, intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's and professional licenses, and deny or revoke passports. The state can also place liens on property, seize assets, and garnish wages. In cases of severe delinquency, the obligor may face contempt of court charges, which can be either civil or criminal, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment. It's important for obligors to communicate with the CSEA if they are experiencing difficulties in making payments to avoid these consequences.