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 Washington State, if an individual fails to pay child support on time, the Washington State Division of Child Support (DCS) within the Department of Social and Health Services can impose various penalties. Interest may accrue on unpaid child support at a rate set by state law. DCS can take enforcement actions such as garnishing wages, intercepting tax refunds, placing liens on property, and reporting the delinquency to credit bureaus. The non-paying parent, referred to as the obligor, may face suspension of their driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses. Additionally, the state can deny or revoke the obligor's passport and report the delinquency to other states and federal agencies. In severe cases, the obligor may be subject to civil or criminal contempt charges, which could lead to fines or imprisonment. The state takes these enforcement measures seriously to ensure that child support obligations are met and to uphold the best interests of the children involved.