Credit Reporting--Delinquent child support can be reported to credit
agencies just like a tardy electric bill or loan payment. Often, just the
threat of being reported to a credit bureau will convince a parent to pay up.
Governmental child support enforcement agencies are required to report child
support arrearages to credit agencies, so custodial parents working with these
types of agencies don't need to do anything extra to have this done.
Contempt of Court--As a last resort, parents and their agents can pursue
contempt of court charges against parents who have not been making their child
support payments. Child support is court-ordered, and parents who disobey the
court order are subject to criminal charges that may lead to fines and jail
time.
Other Tactics--If the above methods fail, child
support collectors still have a few other strategies to help parents get the
child support they are owed. Government programs can revoke the driver's
licenses or passports of parents who owe child support, and can garnish lottery
winnings or pension plans. Lawyers can petition to have property seized, and
private collection agencies are known for aggressive tactics such as visiting
the deadbeat parents at work.