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 Maine, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Division of Support Enforcement & Recovery (DSER) within the state's Department of Health and Human Services can take various enforcement actions. Interest may accrue on unpaid child support. The state can also impose penalties such as suspending the non-paying parent'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. Passport denial is another consequence for those who owe a certain amount in back child support. The state can file liens against the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets. In severe cases, non-payment can lead to civil or criminal contempt charges, which may result in fines or imprisonment. The Office of the Attorney General is involved in enforcement actions and works in conjunction with the DSER to ensure compliance with child support orders.