Quick answer: In Ohio, you are in default when you miss at least one month of support. A court may assess interest only if the default was willful, at the rate set each year under section 1343.03. Withholding, liens and license steps can follow, and delinquent support cannot be retroactively modified.
This Ohio child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid installments and, if you say a court found the default willful, simple interest at the rate you enter under ORC 3123.17. It flags the default and passport thresholds. The rate changes every year.
Ohio child support arrears and interest at a glance
| Rule | What Ohio says |
|---|---|
| Default | Any failure to pay an amount at least equal to one month of support (ORC 3121.01) |
| Interest | Only if the court finds the default willful, from the default date to the new order, at the section 1343.03 rate; the court states the amount in the order (3123.17) |
| Rate | Set each year by the Tax Commissioner under 5703.47; the rate in the judgment entry stays until it is satisfied (1343.03) |
| Default notice | Sent within 15 days of identifying a default; 14 days to ask for a hearing on mistake of fact (3123.03; 3123.04) |
| Liens | The arrearage is a lien on personal property and, once filed with the recorder, on real property (3123.67) |
| Retroactive changes | Delinquent support may not be retroactively modified (3119.83) |
How do child support arrears work in Ohio?
- Interest and method. See the Ohio child support interest rule.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Ohio.
- Whether arrears can be changed. See whether Ohio child support arrears can be changed.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid, the annual rate and whether a court found the default willful and assessed interest. The calculator adds a simple interest scenario only in that case and flags the one-month default trigger and the $2,500 passport line. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Ohio child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Ohio child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ohio charge interest on child support arrears?
Only if the court finds the default willful when it issues or modifies a support order; then it may assess interest at the section 1343.03 rate from the default date.
What is the Ohio interest rate on child support arrears?
The rate under section 1343.03, which is set each year by the Tax Commissioner: the federal short-term rate rounded plus three points. It is currently 7%.
What counts as default on Ohio child support?
Failing to pay an amount at least equal to one month of support.
How long do I have to dispute an Ohio default notice?
Fourteen days to ask for an administrative hearing on whether a mistake of fact was made.
Can Ohio put a lien on my property for unpaid child support?
Yes. The arrearage is a lien on personal property and, once filed with the county recorder, on real property.
Official sources
- ORC 3121.01: definition of default
- ORC 3123.17: default findings and interest
- ORC 1343.03: interest rate
- ORC 3123.03: default notice
- ORC 3123.04: hearing on mistake of fact
- ORC 3123.67: lien
- ORC 3123.55: driver’s license notice
- ORC 3123.44: license notice
- ORC 3121.12: lump sum payments
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports