How to collect unpaid child support in Louisiana

Arrears, interest and enforcement, with a letter to the agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due. Delinquent at least 90 days in paying support or in making ordered payments on arrears, or not providing court-ordered health insurance (LAC 67:III.2545; R.S. 9:315.30-315.36).

License suspension
Delinquent at least 90 days in paying support or in making ordered payments on arrears, or not providing court-ordered health insurance (LAC 67:III.2545; R.S. 9:315.30-315.36).
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Louisiana

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

  • Income assignment (wage withholding)
  • Driver's, professional, hunting and fishing license suspension
  • Federal and state tax refund offset
  • Lottery winnings intercept ($600 or more)
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Liens and child support mortgage
  • Court contempt

Law: La. R.S. 9:315.30-9:315.36; La. R.S. 46:236.1.2; La. R.S. 46:236.3; LAC 67:III.2535-2545

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)

License suspension in Louisiana

Delinquent at least 90 days in paying support or in making ordered payments on arrears, or not providing court-ordered health insurance (LAC 67:III.2545; R.S. 9:315.30-315.36).

Court action in Louisiana

The court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt. Failing to pay support can also be a crime.

Law: La. R.S. 46:236.6

In nearby states

Your next steps in Louisiana

  1. Write down every payment

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    Ask for enforcement from Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Child Support Enforcement (1-877-752-3237) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    Leads about income or address speed up collection.

  4. Check the balance

    Request a written statement of what is owed.

Free help in Louisiana

Questions about unpaid support in Louisiana

How is unpaid child support collected in Louisiana?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income assignment (wage withholding); Driver's, professional, hunting and fishing license suspension; Federal and state tax refund offset; Lottery winnings intercept ($600 or more); Credit bureau reporting; Liens and child support mortgage; Court contempt.

Can unpaid support cost a driver's license in Louisiana?

Delinquent at least 90 days in paying support or in making ordered payments on arrears, or not providing court-ordered health insurance (LAC 67:III.2545; R.S. 9:315.30-315.36).

What can a court do about unpaid support in Louisiana?

The court can hold a parent who does not pay in contempt. Failing to pay support can also be a crime.

Related Louisiana pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources