If a parent neglects or refuses to pay child support there are a number of consequences that can follow. First, the court will order the delinquent parent to pay past child support amounts. If that does not work there are a number of actions that the court can take to extract child support payments.
Financially, the government may withhold income tax returns, issue levies on salaries, or refuse to pay retirement benefits. Additionally, the court may order a lien on the delinquent parent’s property or report the failure to pay child support to credit reporting agencies. Finally, delinquent parents may have their passport or driver’s license suspended for failing to pay child support.