How to collect unpaid child support in Kentucky

How unpaid support is collected, interest and license rules, and a free letter asking the agency to enforce.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. An arrearage equal to or more than six months of nonpayment, or failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or child support case.

License suspension
An arrearage equal to or more than six months of nonpayment, or failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or child support case.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in Kentucky

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it:

  • Income withholding
  • Driver's, professional, occupational, hunting and fishing license denial or suspension
  • Federal and state tax refund offset
  • Liens on real and personal property
  • Bank account liens (financial institution data match)
  • Vehicle immobilization (booting)
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Published list of delinquent obligors ("most wanted")
  • Court contempt

Law: KRS 15.802, 15.820, 15.838, 15.850, 15.055

Ask the agency in writing to collect what is owed: Ask the agency to collect unpaid support

Tools that work in every state

  • Tax refunds. The federal government can take a federal tax refund to pay past-due child support. Law: 42 U.S.C. 664
  • Passports. A parent who owes more than $2,500 in past-due support can be refused a passport. Law: 42 U.S.C. 652(k)
  • Pay withholding limit. For support, up to 50% of take-home pay can be withheld if the parent supports another spouse or child, or 60% if not. It is 55% or 65% when support is more than 12 weeks behind. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)
  • Past-due support. Each unpaid payment becomes a judgment on the day it is due. It can't be lowered later, except back to the date the other parent got notice of a request to change the order. Law: 42 U.S.C. 666(a)(9)

Licenses in Kentucky

An arrearage equal to or more than six months of nonpayment, or failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or child support case.

Law: KRS 15.802(9)

Court action in Kentucky

The court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt. Flagrant nonsupport can also be a crime.

In nearby states

Your next steps in Kentucky

  1. Track what was paid

    Note the date and amount of each payment, and each missed one.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    Contact Department of Child Support Services, Office of the Attorney General ((800) 248-1163) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Ask about interest

    Ask the agency for the total owed, with any interest.

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Ask for free help: KYJustice.org (Kentucky legal aid programs).

Where to get free help in Kentucky

Questions about unpaid support in Kentucky

What happens if child support is not paid in Kentucky?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Driver's, professional, occupational, hunting and fishing license denial or suspension; Federal and state tax refund offset; Liens on real and personal property; Bank account liens (financial institution data match); Vehicle immobilization (booting); Credit bureau reporting; Published list of delinquent obligors ("most wanted"); Court contempt.

Can a license be suspended for unpaid child support in Kentucky?

An arrearage equal to or more than six months of nonpayment, or failing to obey a subpoena or warrant in a paternity or child support case.

What can a court do about unpaid support in Kentucky?

The court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt. Flagrant nonsupport can also be a crime.

More for Kentucky

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources