Enforcing Orders

CSEA Helps Ensure Children Get the Support They Need

Once a child support order is issued, Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) employs a variety of methods to make certain the obligor (the person ordered to pay support) meets his or her obligation.

  1. Default
  2. FIDM
  3. Income Withholding
  4. Legal Action
  5. License Suspension

An obligor is considered in default of an order when he or she falls one month behind in payments. The amount unpaid is called an arrearage. Sometimes this occurs due to a delay in payments coming from an employer.


When a case goes into default, the CSEA sends the obligor a notice. The obligor may pay the arrearage to stop the default process or, if he or she disagrees with the past due amount, may request a hearing within a stated time frame.


Once a case is determined to be in default, the obligor is reported to the credit bureau. An automatic arrears payment—20% of the current support order—is set up if an arrears payment has not already been made.


Also at this time, the CSEA may start other enforcement actions.

  1. LIENS
  2. PASSPORT DENIAL
  3. RACINO / CASINO WINNINGS
  4. SEEK WORK ORDER
  5. TAX INTERCEPT
The CSEA may file liens on property owned by individuals who owe arrears.