How Maine Collects Unpaid Child Support: Wage Garnishment, License Revocation and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Maine, the department can order withholding once arrears equal one month, with only 20 days to contest for a mistake of fact. A license can be revoked when you are more than 60 days behind and miss the 20-day hearing window.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Maine?
The department can withhold income and property, revoke licenses and use other remedies, and the obligee can enforce the order (19-A M.R.S. 2102). Federal law adds passport certification above $2,500.
Can Maine garnish wages for unpaid child support?
Yes. The commissioner may direct any person to withhold wages and other property of a responsible parent who has failed to make payments under a support order when the arrears are at least equal to the support payable for one month. Before it starts the department must serve a notice of intention to withhold stating the arrears, the amount to be withheld and that the only basis for contesting is a mistake of fact; a request for review must be filed within 20 days of receipt or withholding begins (19-A M.R.S. 2359). Federal law sets outer limits: 50% or 60%, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
| If the person | Limit | If support is more than 12 weeks overdue |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting a spouse or another child | 50% | 55% |
| Not supporting a spouse or another child | 60% | 65% |
When is a license at risk?
When you are not in compliance with a support order. Compliance means you are no more than 60 days in arrears in current support, a written payment agreement or periodic payments under the order, and have any required health insurance; if you were more than 30 days behind at least twice in the past 24 months the limit is 30 days (2101(2)). Licenses include professional, occupational and business licenses and hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobile and ATV licenses (2101(1), (7)).
How does the license process work?
The department serves a notice that it intends to report you to the board. You have 20 days from service to request a hearing in writing; a timely request stays the certification until a decision. If you do not request one and are not in compliance, the department certifies you and the board must revoke the license and refuse to issue or renew it until the department confirms in writing that you are in compliance (2201(1)). The hearing is limited to whether you owe support under an order and whether you are in compliance, and a decision can be appealed within 30 days (2201(2)-(3)).
How do you come into compliance?
Pay current support, pay all past-due support or, if you cannot, make periodic payments under a written payment agreement with the department, and meet your health insurance obligation (2201(1)(G)). To get an agreement you must fully disclose your finances and provide tax returns, a pay stub and records of assets; payments can’t exceed the withholding limits (2202(1-A)). Failing to follow the agreement is grounds for revocation unless you notify the department that you cannot comply and give evidence.
What about passports?
If a state agency certifies that a person owes child support arrearages of more than $2,500, federal law requires refusal of a passport (42 U.S.C. 652(k)). The Maine arrears calculator warns when the unpaid principal passes that figure.
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice inside its 20-day window, ask the department for a written payment agreement, add up the balance in the Maine child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, file and serve a motion to modify right away.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Maine?
The department can withhold wages once arrears equal one month, and a license is at risk when you are more than 60 days behind.
How much of my paycheck can Maine take for child support?
Federal law limits it to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue.
How long do I have to respond to a Maine license notice?
Twenty days from service to request a hearing in writing.
Can I contest Maine wage withholding?
Yes, within 20 days of the notice, but only for a mistake of fact.
When can the passport of a Maine parent who owes child support be denied?
When arrears above $2,500 are certified under federal law.
Official sources
- 19-A M.R.S. 2354: interest on debt due
- 19-A M.R.S. 2359: expedited income withholding
- 19-A M.R.S. 2101: enforcement definitions and compliance
- 19-A M.R.S. 2201: notice to licensing boards
- 19-A M.R.S. 2202: family financial responsibility
- 19-A M.R.S. 2102: enforcement of rights
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Maine statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Maine attorney.