The court determines the amount of child support one parent is required to pay. After that amount has been set, it is up to the other parent to notify the court and/or the Department of Social and Health Services if payments are not being made. Keep in mind that the government takes child support enforcement very seriously. There are massive consequences to evading child support including: State and federal income tax offset Liens on real or personal property owned by the debtor Freezing of bank accounts Orders to withhold and deliver property to satisfy the debt Passport denial Seizure and sale of property with the proceeds from the sale applied to the support debt. The consequences above are outlined in this handbook created by the U.S. Department of Child Support Enforcement “Handbook on Child Support Enforcement”. Child support enforcement process The first step in the child support enforcement process is for the receiving parent to file an enforcement action with the court. After the enforcement action has been filed, it is up to the judge to determine the next steps. Depending on the circumstances, the judge may order enforcement measures such as wage garnishment or seizure of assets in an effort to recover the unpaid support. The measures the court will use for any particular case will depend on the reason for the missed payments, how much hasn’t been paid, and whether or not it appears that the non-paying parent is intentionally avoiding their child support obligation. If the court finds that the parent is deliberately avoiding their obligation, it may take more drastic enforcement measures. For example, the court might order the non-paying parent to be held in contempt of court, which could result in jail time.