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 New York, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the New York State Child Support Enforcement Program can take several actions to enforce payment. Interest may accrue on unpaid child support at the legal rate set by the state. The state can also assess penalties against the non-paying parent (obligor). Enforcement measures can include civil and criminal contempt charges, which may result in fines or imprisonment. The obligor's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses can be suspended. The state can report the delinquency to credit bureaus, potentially affecting the obligor's credit score. Passport denial or suspension is another consequence for those owing a certain amount in child support arrears. Additionally, the state can place liens on the obligor's property, bank accounts, and other assets, and can intercept tax refunds, lottery winnings, and other government benefits. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is the agency responsible for child support enforcement in the state.