Under Illinois law, both parents are obligated to financially support their children. Illinois uses the “income shares” method to calculate child support. This method considers both parents’ incomes, the child’s needs, and how parenting time is divided. The parent ordered to pay support is called the “obligor.” Failing to pay child support can lead to serious penalties.
If you have been ordered to pay child support, it is important to make each payment in full and on time. If you can no longer afford your court-ordered child support payments, a Wheaton, IL family law attorney can explain your options. As one of the most prestigious firms in the area, The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C. helps parents address difficult child support issues.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Pay Child Support in Illinois in 2026?
When a person fails to make their child support payments in full and on time, the recipient parent may work with the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), a branch of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to obtain the money owed. DCSS has several ways to collect overdue child support. It may withhold money from a parent’s wages, intercept tax refunds, place liens on bank accounts or property, and take other enforcement actions.