Default (When your case is in Arrears)

An Obligor is considered in Default when he/she is behind in payments totalling one month or more of his/her current support obligation.  By law, no enforcement actions can be taken before a default notice has been sent to the obligor.  (See Terms & Definitions section - Arrears)

When the Obligor owes in excess of one month's obligation, a Notice of Default and Potential Action will be automatically generated by SETS.  The Default notice will be sent to the Obligor warning him/her of possible enforcement remedies that CSEA may take to secure the past due support obligation.  When a case goes into Default, this is the beginning of the Enforcement Process.

Other administrative enforcement remedies allowable by law include:

• SETS automated reporting to Credit Bureau Agencies when arrears exceed two months of obligation
• Withholding an additional 20% of the current support obligation when an income withholding order is in place
• Driver's Professional or Recreational License Suspension
• Federal and State Tax Refund Intercept
• Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM)
• Intercepting a lump sum payment (bonus, lump sum vacation payment from an employer, separation lump sum, etc)
• The CSEA is bound by specific requirements in the law or agency procedure when enforcement actions are taken.