What Happens If You Don't Pay Child Support in Maryland?
Key Takeaways
- Maryland enforces child support through license suspensions, property liens, and even jail time.
- Penalties increase depending on your payment history, how much you owe, and your ability to pay.
- Enforcement actions often begin within 30 days of a missed payment.
- If you owe more than $2,500 in back support, you won’t be able to get or renew a U.S. passport.
What are the penalties for not paying child support in Maryland?
The consequences can add up quickly if you miss child support payments in Maryland. The state has a variety of tools it can use to collect past-due support and push you to pay.
- Driver’s license suspension: Your driver’s license can be suspended until you start making payments again, which may affect your ability to get to work or meet other responsibilities.
- Professional license revocation: If you have a license to work in certain professions—like nursing, real estate, or teaching—it can be suspended for non-payment of child support.
- Passport denial if you owe more than $2,500: The U.S. Department of State won’t issue or renew your passport if you have more than $2,500 in unpaid child support.
- Possible jail time for contempt of court: If a judge finds that you’re willfully avoiding payments, you could be held in contempt and sentenced to up to 180 days in jail.
- Property liens on real estate and other assets: The state can place a lien on your property, car, or other assets, making it harder to sell or refinance until you pay what you owe.
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How are penalties for not paying child support determined?
Maryland doesn’t treat every missed payment the same. The penalties you face depend on your specific situation.
- Your payment history: If you’ve missed payments before or have a record of partial payments, the state may take quicker or stronger action.
- Total amount owed: The larger your arrears, the more aggressive the enforcement becomes—especially if you’ve ignored previous attempts to collect.
- Whether you’re willfully avoiding payments: Courts look at whether you’re unable to pay or simply choosing not to. If you have the means but refuse to pay, the penalties will be more severe.
- What enforcement actions have already been taken: If you’ve already had wages garnished or licenses suspended with no improvement, the court may move to harsher penalties.
- The judge’s discretion: Judges consider your financial situation, employment status, and any efforts you’ve made to catch up. They have broad authority in deciding what happens next.
How long can you avoid paying child support before you get a penalty?
Maryland typically acts quickly. Enforcement often starts within 30 days of your first missed payment. That might begin with a notice or wage garnishment. If the situation doesn’t improve, more serious actions—like license suspensions or court appearances—usually follow within 60 to 90 days. The longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive it becomes to fix.
Should you hire a family law attorney to manage child support payments?
A family law attorney can help you request a modification if your income has changed, make sure payments are correctly calculated, and deal with enforcement actions like license suspensions or contempt hearings. With the right legal support, you can avoid long-term damage and get your case back on track. Marble’s experienced team is here to help if you’re unsure where to start.
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