How to collect unpaid child support in Nebraska

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 child support draws simple interest at the judgment rate under Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-103 in effect on the date of the most recent order (2 points above the 26-week Treasury bill yield).

License suspension
A license can be suspended when the parent owes more than three months of support, or is not following a payment plan for past-due support.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

Collection tools in Nebraska

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

  • Income withholding
  • Federal and state tax refund intercept
  • Driver's, recreational, professional and occupational license suspension
  • Contempt of court

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-3314 to 43-3326; 42-358.02

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

Interest on arrears in Nebraska

Delinquent child support draws simple interest at the judgment rate under Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-103 in effect on the date of the most recent order (2 points above the 26-week Treasury bill yield). Interest does not start until 30 days after a payment is late. Payments go first to current support, then past-due support, then interest.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-358.02

Contempt of court in Nebraska

You can ask the district court to hold the other parent in contempt. If the court finds the parent willfully didn't pay, the judge can order jail with a chance to 'purge' the contempt by paying as ordered. Self-help forms: Affidavit and Application for Order to Show Cause.

Law: DC 6:5.20

License suspension in Nebraska

A license can be suspended when the parent owes more than three months of support, or is not following a payment plan for past-due support. The parent gets written notice and 30 days to ask for review.

Law: Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-3314, 43-3318

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)

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Nebraska

  1. Track what was paid

    Keep a log of every payment and every missed payment.

  2. Ask the agency to enforce

    If you don't have a case yet, open one with Nebraska DHHS Child Support Enforcement (CSE) (1-877-631-9973) · Apply online

  3. Tell the agency about income

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

  4. Ask about interest

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

Free legal help in Nebraska

Questions about unpaid support in Nebraska

How is unpaid child support collected in Nebraska?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding; Federal and state tax refund intercept; Driver's, recreational, professional and occupational license suspension; Contempt of court.

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

A license can be suspended when the parent owes more than three months of support, or is not following a payment plan for past-due support. The parent gets written notice and 30 days to ask for review.

What can a court do about unpaid support in Nebraska?

You can ask the district court to hold the other parent in contempt. If the court finds the parent willfully didn't pay, the judge can order jail with a chance to 'purge' the contempt by paying as ordered. Self-help forms: Affidavit and Application for Order to Show Cause.

What is the interest rate on arrears in Nebraska?

Delinquent child support draws simple interest at the judgment rate under Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-103 in effect on the date of the most recent order (2 points above the 26-week Treasury bill yield). Interest does not start until 30 days after a payment is late. Payments go first to current support, then past-due support, then interest.

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources