How to collect unpaid child support in Nevada

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. Each missed payment becomes a judgment by law when due. When arrears are enforced as a judgment, the court includes interest from the time each payment was due at the NRS 99.040 rate (prime rate at Nevada's largest bank plus 2%, adjusted every January 1 and July 1), plus a reasonable attorney's fee, unless this would cause the paying parent undue hardship.

License suspension
A parent is 'in arrears' for license action when they owe more than $1,000 in past-due support and are at least 2 months behind, or have not provided court-ordered medical insurance.
Passport denial
Over $2,500 past due (federal law)

What the agency can do in Nevada

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

  • Income withholding (wage garnishment)
  • IRS tax refund and federal payment intercept
  • Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension
  • Liens on real and personal property (recorded support order)
  • Passport revocation or denial
  • Contempt of court

Law: NRS 125B.140, 125B.142; NRS 425.500-425.560

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

Does unpaid support grow in Nevada?

Each missed payment becomes a judgment by law when due. When arrears are enforced as a judgment, the court includes interest from the time each payment was due at the NRS 99.040 rate (prime rate at Nevada's largest bank plus 2%, adjusted every January 1 and July 1), plus a reasonable attorney's fee, unless this would cause the paying parent undue hardship.

Law: NRS 125B.140(2)(c)

License suspension in Nevada

A parent is 'in arrears' for license action when they owe more than $1,000 in past-due support and are at least 2 months behind, or have not provided court-ordered medical insurance. They can fix it by paying in full, paying the last 12 months of overdue payments set by a court, or following an approved repayment plan.

Law: NRS 425.560

What federal law adds

  • 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)

When the court steps in, in Nevada

If the other parent is not following the order, you can file a motion asking the judge to hold them in contempt and to award the unpaid support.

Source: Nevada Self-Help Center, Contempt

In nearby states

Steps to collect support in Nevada

  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 Nevada Division of Social Services, Child Support Enforcement Program ((800) 992-0900) · Apply online

  3. Share what you know

    Tell the agency where the other parent works or lives.

  4. Ask about interest

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

Free legal help in Nevada

Questions about unpaid support in Nevada

What can the agency do about unpaid support in Nevada?

Arrears means support that is past due. The child support agency can use these tools to collect it: Income withholding (wage garnishment); IRS tax refund and federal payment intercept; Driver's, professional, occupational and recreational license suspension; Liens on real and personal property (recorded support order); Passport revocation or denial; Contempt of court.

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

A parent is 'in arrears' for license action when they owe more than $1,000 in past-due support and are at least 2 months behind, or have not provided court-ordered medical insurance. They can fix it by paying in full, paying the last 12 months of overdue payments set by a court, or following an approved repayment plan.

Can a parent be held in contempt for not paying in Nevada?

If the other parent is not following the order, you can file a motion asking the judge to hold them in contempt and to award the unpaid support.

What is the interest rate on arrears in Nevada?

Each missed payment becomes a judgment by law when due. When arrears are enforced as a judgment, the court includes interest from the time each payment was due at the NRS 99.040 rate (prime rate at Nevada's largest bank plus 2%, adjusted every January 1 and July 1), plus a reasonable attorney's fee, unless this would cause the paying parent undue hardship.

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Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources