Quick answer: In Hawaii, unpaid child support stays owed and the Child Support Enforcement Agency can use income withholding once you are one month behind, liens, credit reporting, tax refund setoff and license suspension after three or six months of delinquency. We found no interest on child support arrears in the statutes we read.
This Hawaii child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid principal, lets you test an interest rate and flags the thresholds in HRS 576D-1 and 576D-14. Federal law adds passport certification above $2,500. Through the agency only payments after service of a modification request can change, so ask to modify before installments fall due.
Hawaii child support arrears at a glance
| Rule | What Hawaii says |
|---|---|
| Interest | We found none on child support arrears; the general judgment rate is 10% a year and no more (HRS 478-3); ask the agency whether any is claimed |
| Income withholding | When delinquent by at least one month of support, the agency issues a withholding order that includes an amount toward the delinquency (HRS 576D-14(b)) |
| Licenses | Not in compliance at three months of payments (driver’s and recreational) or six months (professional and vocational); 30 days to contact the agency or request a hearing (576D-13) |
| Credit reporting | Delinquent support can be made available to consumer reporting agencies after advance notice and a chance to contest (576D-6(a)(6)) |
| Liens and setoffs | The agency enforces liens against real and personal property of a parent who owes overdue support and uses state income tax refund setoff (576D-6) |
| Passport | Certification above $2,500 of arrears (federal law) |
How do child support arrears work in Hawaii?
- Interest and method. See whether Hawaii charges interest on child support arrears.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Hawaii.
- Time limits and forgiveness. See whether Hawaii child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid and, if you want to test one, an interest rate. By default no interest is added. The calculator flags the one-month withholding trigger, the 3-month and 6-month license thresholds and the $2,500 passport threshold. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Hawaii child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Hawaii child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii charge interest on child support arrears?
We found no provision adding interest to child support arrears in the statutes we read. The general rate on a judgment recovered in a civil suit is 10% a year and no more; ask the Child Support Enforcement Agency whether any interest is claimed on your case.
When does Hawaii start income withholding for unpaid child support?
When the obligor becomes delinquent by an amount at least equal to the support payable for one month, the agency issues an income withholding order that includes an amount toward the delinquency.
When can a Hawaii license be suspended for unpaid child support?
When the obligor is delinquent by three months of payments for driver's and recreational licenses, or six months for professional and vocational licenses, after a notice giving 30 days to respond.
Does Hawaii report unpaid child support to credit bureaus?
Yes, the agency can make delinquent support information available to consumer reporting agencies, after advance notice and a chance to contest.
How can I avoid a Hawaii license suspension?
Contact the agency in writing within 30 days of service of the notice and enter into a monthly payment agreement for the arrears, or request a hearing in writing within 30 days.
Official sources
- HRS 576D-14: implementation of income withholding
- HRS 576D-13: suspension or denial of licenses
- HRS 576D-1: definitions, including compliance with an order of support
- HRS 576D-6: other duties of the agency
- HRS 478-3: interest on judgments
- Hawaii Child Support Enforcement Agency: enforcement
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports