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 Mississippi, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) can take various enforcement actions. Interest and penalty amounts may be assessed on overdue child support. The state can initiate court action, which may lead to civil or criminal contempt charges against the non-paying parent, known as the obligor. The obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses can be suspended. The state can also report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit score. Passport privileges may be denied or suspended, preventing international travel. Additionally, liens can be placed on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets, including life insurance and retirement plans. The state may also intercept tax refunds, lottery winnings, and other government benefits to cover unpaid child support. These measures are enforced by the Child Support Unit of the MDHS in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General.