How to collect unpaid child support in Maine

The agency's collection tools, what federal law adds, and a ready letter to ask for enforcement.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Arrears means child support that is past due.

Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Maine

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

  • Income withholding
  • Professional, recreational and driver's license revocation
  • Passport denial
  • Tax refund intercept
  • Liens on property
  • Bank account seizure
  • Lottery and gambling winnings intercept
  • Credit bureau reporting
  • Court contempt

Law: 19-A M.R.S. §§2201 and following (licenses); 19-A M.R.S. ch. 65

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

Federal collection tools

  • 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)

Contempt of court in Maine

You can file a Motion to Enforce or a Motion for Contempt in court. In extreme cases of chronic nonpayment, a court can send the parent to jail.

In nearby states

Your next steps in Maine

  1. Write down every payment

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

  2. Open a case or ask the agency

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Maine DHHS, Office for Family Independence, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) ((207) 624-4100) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    The other parent's job, address or bank helps the agency collect.

  4. Check the balance

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

  5. Get help

    Free help: Pine Tree Legal Assistance.

Free help in Maine

Questions about unpaid support in Maine

What can the agency do about unpaid support in Maine?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Professional, recreational and driver's license revocation; Passport denial; Tax refund intercept; Liens on property; Bank account seizure; Lottery and gambling winnings intercept; Credit bureau reporting; Court contempt.

What can a court do about unpaid support in Maine?

You can file a Motion to Enforce or a Motion for Contempt in court. In extreme cases of chronic nonpayment, a court can send the parent to jail.

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources