What is an arrearage in child support?

An arrearage in child support is a situation in which a person responsible for paying child support, as ordered by a court or other agency, has fallen behind in their payments. In Wisconsin, an arrearage is also known as past-due child support. An arrearage is different from regular ongoing child support payments, which are typically paid on a monthly or periodic basis. In Wisconsin, an arrearage is tracked by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). If a person falls behind on their payments, the DCF will assess fees, interest, and additional penalties in order to collect the past-due payments. The DCF will also pursue legal action if a person does not pay their arrearage, which can include wage garnishment, liens, and jail time. The purpose of tracking arrearage is to ensure that the person responsible for paying child support is paying their share. In Wisconsin, many parents rely on the state for assistance in meeting the costs of raising their children. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the person responsible for providing financial support is doing so in a timely manner. It is important to note that payments made for an arrearage will not count as regular child support payments. Depending on the circumstances, the court or other agency may determine that the money owed for the arrearage must be paid in full before regular child support payments can resume.

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What is an arrearage in child support?

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