When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support in Nevada, the state has extensive enforcement powers that can result in wage garnishment of up to 65% of disposable income, suspension of driver's and professional licenses, property liens, tax refund interception, passport denial for arrears over $2,500, and criminal prosecution with potential felony charges if arrears exceed $10,000. Under NRS 125B.140, Nevada courts and the Child Support Enforcement program operated by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) can pursue collection indefinitely—there is no statute of limitations on enforcing existing child support orders.
Key Facts: Nevada Child Support Enforcement
| Factor | Nevada Requirement |
|---|---|
| Enforcement Agency | Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) |
| Maximum Wage Garnishment | 50-65% of disposable earnings |
| License Suspension Threshold | $1,000 in arrears or 2+ months delinquent |
| Passport Denial Threshold | $2,500 in arrears (federal law) |
| Criminal Misdemeanor Threshold | Any willful nonpayment |
| Criminal Felony Threshold | $10,000+ in arrears or second offense with $5,000+ |
| Interest Rate on Arrears | Prime rate + 2% (approximately 10.5% in 2026) |
| Annual Service Fee | $35 when $550+ collected |
| Statute of Limitations | None for existing court orders |
How Nevada Enforces Unpaid Child Support
Nevada uses a multi-pronged enforcement approach that combines administrative remedies, civil court actions, and criminal prosecution to collect unpaid child support from delinquent parents. The Child Support Enforcement program, operated by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services under NRS 422A.060, provides free services to custodial parents seeking to collect support arrears. Either parent can apply for enforcement services with no application fee, though a $35 annual service fee applies when more than $550 has been collected and distributed in a federal fiscal year.
The enforcement tools available in Nevada include income withholding orders sent directly to employers, interception of federal and state tax refunds, reporting delinquencies to credit bureaus, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, denial of passport applications or renewals, filing liens against real property and bank accounts, intercepting lottery winnings, and pursuing contempt of court actions that may result in jail time.
Income Withholding and Wage Garnishment
Wage garnishment represents the primary enforcement mechanism for collecting child support enforcement Nevada relies upon most frequently. Under NRS 31.295, Nevada law mirrors federal limits set by the Consumer Credit Protection Act, permitting garnishment of 50% of disposable earnings if the obligor currently supports another spouse or child, or 60% if no other dependents are supported. An additional 5% can be garnished—bringing the maximum to 55% or 65%—if the obligor is more than 12 weeks behind on payments.
Once an income withholding order is issued, the employer must begin deducting child support within 7 business days of receiving the order and remit payments to the State Disbursement Unit. Employers face penalties for failing to comply with withholding orders, including liability for the amounts they should have withheld. Withholding also applies to unemployment compensation, workers' compensation benefits, and certain pension payments.
Tax Refund Interception
The Federal Tax Refund Offset Program allows Nevada to intercept federal income tax refunds from parents who owe child support arrears. For cases receiving public assistance, the threshold is $150 in past-due support; for non-assistance cases, the threshold is $500. State tax refund interception has no minimum threshold in Nevada.
Intercepted funds are applied first to current support due, then to arrears owed to the state for public assistance reimbursement, and finally to arrears owed to the custodial parent. In 2024, the federal program collected over $2.4 billion nationwide in intercepted tax refunds for child support.
License Suspension for Unpaid Child Support
Nevada authorizes suspension of multiple types of licenses when a parent becomes delinquent in child support payments, making this one of the most effective enforcement tools for motivating compliance. Under NRS 425.510, license suspension is triggered when arrears reach $1,000 or the equivalent of two or more months of support—whichever is less.
Driver's License Suspension
The Nevada DMV will suspend a driver's license upon notification from the District Attorney or DWSS Child Support Enforcement office that a court has determined the parent is in arrears. Under NRS 483.443, the delinquent parent receives written notice that their license is subject to suspension and has 30 days to satisfy the arrearage or enter into a payment agreement. If no action is taken within 30 days, the DMV suspends the license without a hearing.
To prevent or lift a driver's license suspension, the delinquent parent must either pay the full arrearage, enter into an approved payment agreement that includes a lump sum toward arrears, or demonstrate that another entity (such as an employer's payroll error) caused the delinquency. Reinstatement requires payment of the DMV reinstatement fee, currently $75, but does not require retaking driving tests.
Professional and Occupational License Suspension
Nevada can suspend professional licenses issued by state licensing boards, including licenses for doctors, nurses, attorneys, contractors, real estate agents, and other regulated professions. The process mirrors driver's license suspension: the licensing board receives notice of the arrearage, issues a 30-day warning to the licensee, and proceeds with suspension if the arrearage is not addressed.
For professionals whose livelihood depends on maintaining their license, this enforcement tool creates powerful incentive to remain current on support payments. Courts may consider reinstating the license if the obligor demonstrates a genuine inability to pay and proposes a realistic payment plan.
Recreational License Suspension
Hunting and fishing licenses can also be suspended for child support arrears under Nevada law. While less economically impactful than professional license suspension, this measure demonstrates the state's comprehensive approach to enforcement.
Property Liens and Asset Seizure
When child support arrears accumulate, Nevada law permits recording the support order as a lien against the delinquent parent's property. Under NRS 125B.142, once recorded, the support order creates a lien on all real and personal property owned by the responsible parent in the county where recorded.
Real Property Liens
A child support lien must be satisfied before the property can be sold or refinanced with clear title. The lien attaches to any real estate the obligor owns in Nevada and, under NRS 125B.144, liens recorded in other states are entitled to full faith and credit in Nevada courts.
Bank Account Levy
Nevada can seize funds directly from bank accounts to satisfy child support arrears. The Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) program requires banks to report account information for individuals who owe child support, enabling the state to identify and levy accounts containing sufficient funds.
Seizure of Other Assets
Lump sum workers' compensation settlements, lottery winnings, and certain insurance proceeds can all be intercepted to satisfy unpaid child support. Nevada participates in the State Lottery Intercept Program, which captures prizes of $600 or more won by parents with child support arrears.
Passport Denial for Child Support Arrears
Under federal law at 42 U.S.C. § 652(k), the U.S. Department of State denies passport applications and renewals for any individual certified by a state child support agency as owing more than $2,500 in child support arrears. This enforcement tool is particularly effective for parents who travel internationally for business or pleasure.
Once the arrearage falls below $2,500 or the parent enters into a satisfactory payment arrangement, the state can decertify the case, allowing the passport to be issued or renewed. The passport denial process is automatic—parents are not entitled to a hearing before denial occurs, though they may contest the validity of the arrearage through state court procedures.
Contempt of Court Proceedings
When administrative enforcement measures prove insufficient, the custodial parent or Child Support Enforcement office can file a motion for contempt of court against the delinquent parent. Contempt proceedings give the non-paying parent an opportunity to explain why they have not paid and potentially face serious penalties including incarceration.
Filing for Contempt
To initiate contempt proceedings, the custodial parent files a motion with the family court that issued the original support order. Filing fees range from $25 to $75 depending on the county, though fee waivers are available for parents whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level. The motion must specify the amounts owed, the dates payments were missed, and the enforcement remedy sought.
Contempt Hearing Process
At the contempt hearing, the court determines whether the delinquent parent had the ability to pay and willfully refused to do so. The obligor may present defenses including loss of employment, serious illness or disability, incarceration, or other circumstances that genuinely prevented payment. The court will review the obligor's income, assets, expenses, and employment history.
If the court finds the parent in contempt, penalties may include:
- Immediate payment of a lump sum toward arrears
- Establishment of a structured payment plan
- Fines and court costs
- Community service
- Jail time (typically 30 days for civil contempt, with purge conditions)
Judges generally prefer to avoid jailing parents because incarceration makes it even harder to pay support, but courts use this option as a last resort when a parent demonstrates willful disregard for their support obligation.
Criminal Prosecution for Nonpayment
Nevada criminalizes the willful failure to pay court-ordered child support under NRS 201.020. Criminal prosecution represents the most severe enforcement option, reserved for cases involving substantial arrears or repeated violations.
Misdemeanor Nonsupport
A person who knowingly fails to provide court-ordered support for a minor child commits a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. This charge applies to any willful nonpayment regardless of the amount owed.
Felony Nonsupport (Category C Felony)
Nonpayment becomes a Category C felony under NRS 201.020(2) when:
- Arrears total $10,000 or more accumulated over any period since the first court order, OR
- It is a second or subsequent violation and arrears total $5,000 or more
A Category C felony conviction carries a potential prison sentence of 1 to 5 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both. Beyond the criminal penalties, a felony conviction can affect custody determinations in family court, employment opportunities, and professional licensing.
Federal Criminal Charges
In extreme cases involving interstate flight to avoid support obligations or arrears exceeding $5,000 for over one year (or $10,000 regardless of duration), federal prosecution is possible under the Child Support Recovery Act (18 U.S.C. § 228). Federal penalties range from 6 months for first offenses to 2 years for subsequent convictions.
Interest and Penalties on Child Support Arrears
Unpaid child support in Nevada accrues both interest and penalties, significantly increasing the total amount owed over time. Understanding these additional charges is essential for both custodial parents seeking enforcement and obligors working to satisfy arrears.
Interest Rate Calculation
Under NRS 99.040, when no specific interest rate is stated in the court order, interest accrues at the prime rate at the largest bank in Nevada (as determined by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions on January 1 or July 1, whichever is most recent) plus 2%. This rate adjusts semiannually. As of January 2026, with the prime rate at approximately 8.5%, the effective interest rate on child support arrears is approximately 10.5% per annum.
Interest accrues monthly based on the outstanding balance at the end of each month. Interest is mandatory—courts have no discretion to waive it, and it applies automatically to all past-due support amounts.
10% Statutory Penalty
Under NRS 125B.095, an additional 10% per annum penalty applies to any child support installment that remains delinquent for one month or more. This penalty is separate from and in addition to the interest charge, meaning total accumulation on arrears can exceed 20% annually. The penalty cannot be imposed if the delinquency was caused by the employer's error or a failure by a child support enforcement agency.
Arrears Calculation Example
Consider a parent who falls $12,000 behind on child support and takes 3 years to satisfy the arrearage:
- Original arrearage: $12,000
- Interest at 10.5% over 3 years: approximately $3,780
- Penalty at 10% over 3 years: approximately $3,600
- Total owed after 3 years: approximately $19,380
This example illustrates why addressing arrears promptly is financially critical—delay significantly increases the total obligation.
No Statute of Limitations on Child Support Enforcement
Nevada has no statute of limitations for enforcing existing child support orders. Under NRS 125B.100, even after a child reaches adulthood, the paying parent must continue making payments until all arrearages are fully satisfied. Back child support does not disappear when the child turns 18—arrears remain collectible indefinitely.
If no support order ever existed, a custodial parent may generally recover up to four years of back support from the date a case is filed. However, once a court order establishes the support obligation, all past-due amounts under that order can be collected regardless of when they accrued.
This means a parent who owes $50,000 in arrears when their child turns 18 will still owe that entire amount—plus accumulated interest and penalties—until paid in full. The state can continue using all enforcement tools, including wage garnishment and tax intercepts, against the adult child's parent.
How to Request Child Support Enforcement in Nevada
Custodial parents have two primary paths for pursuing child support enforcement Nevada courts and agencies provide: working with the state Child Support Enforcement program or hiring a private attorney to file enforcement motions.
State Child Support Enforcement Services
The Nevada Child Support Enforcement program, administered by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), offers comprehensive enforcement services at no application cost. Services include:
- Locating non-custodial parents
- Establishing paternity when necessary
- Establishing and modifying support orders
- Enforcing support orders through all available administrative and legal remedies
- Collecting and distributing support payments
To apply, visit the Nevada Child Support Enforcement website at childcare.nv.gov or contact the district office serving your county. The annual $35 service fee only applies when more than $550 has been collected and distributed.
Private Attorney Enforcement
Custodial parents may also hire a private family law attorney to pursue enforcement through the courts. This option offers more personalized attention and potentially faster action on contempt motions, though it involves legal fees. Many attorneys offer payment plans or will request that the court order the delinquent parent to pay attorney's fees as part of the enforcement action.
Filing fees for contempt motions range from $25 to $75 depending on the county. As of May 2026, verify exact fees with your local district court clerk.