What happens to unpaid child support arrears?

Unpaid child support arrears in Wisconsin is a serious matter. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) tracks unpaid child support arrears. Under Wisconsin law, any unpaid child support owed is considered a debt that can be collected by DCF or a private collection agency. If a parent falls behind in their child support payments, the unpaid amount will become a debt that must be paid back. DCF will typically send letters requesting payment of the arrears and, if payments are not received, DCF may take a variety of legal actions to collect unpaid child support. This may include wage garnishment, withholding of state or federal income tax refunds, withholding unemployment benefits or Social Security benefits, or freezing of a bank account. If legal action is taken to collect unpaid child support arrears, the parent will be notified and given the opportunity to make payments to DCF or the private collection agency. If it appears that the parent may default on payments, DCF may refer the case to the county district attorney for possible criminal prosecution for failure to pay child support. Ultimately, unpaid child support arrears can result in a court order for a jail sentence to compel payment.

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What happens to unpaid child support arrears?

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