Quick answer: In Rhode Island, 12% a year interest is assessed on support debt unless the family court relieves you for good cause. Support orders are judgments for debt. Withholding can start when a payment is 14 days late, and licenses can be certified when more than 90 days of current support is unpaid.
This Rhode Island child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid installments and simple interest at the rate you enter under R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-16.5, and flags the withholding, license and passport thresholds. The statute does not say whether the 12% is simple or compound, so the figure is a scenario.
Rhode Island child support arrears and interest at a glance
| Rule | What Rhode Island says |
|---|---|
| Interest | 12% per annum on any support debt due or owing, assessed unless the family court relieves the party for good cause (R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-16.5) |
| Judgment | An allowance or order under 15-5-16 and 15-5-16.2 is a judgment for debt; suits and executions may issue for amounts due and unpaid (15-5-16.3) |
| Withholding | Starts when a payment is not made in full within 14 days of its due date (15-16-5(b)) |
| Arrears add-on | The withholding order adds 10% of the current order toward arrears, within the federal cap; the court may reduce it to a token amount for undue hardship (15-16-5(a)) |
| Licenses | Noncompliance means more than 90 days of current support accrued; 30 days to request a hearing after notice (15-11.1-2; 15-11.1-3) |
| Property | The court may assign tangible personal property to satisfy arrears (15-5-16.2(d)(1)) |
How do child support arrears work in Rhode Island?
- Interest and method. See the Rhode Island child support interest rate.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Rhode Island.
- Whether arrears can be changed. See whether Rhode Island 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 the annual rate (12% by default). The calculator adds simple interest from each due date and flags withholding, the 90-day license line and the $2,500 passport line. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Rhode Island child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Rhode Island child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rhode Island charge interest on child support arrears?
Yes. Interest at 12% per annum on any support debt due or owing is assessed unless the family court relieves you for good cause.
What is the Rhode Island interest rate on child support arrears?
Twelve percent per annum under R.I. Gen. Laws 15-5-16.5.
Can Rhode Island waive child support interest?
Yes, the family court can relieve the responsible party of the interest for good cause shown.
When can Rhode Island suspend a license for unpaid child support?
When more than 90 days of current support has accrued, after a notice that gives 30 days to ask for a hearing.
When does Rhode Island start income withholding for unpaid child support?
When a payment is not made in full within 14 days of its due date.