How to Avoid Arrears: Set Up Withholding Early

Most arrears are avoidable. The single best move is to get withholding running early, then watch that it keeps posting.

Set up the IWO

An Income Withholding Order routes support straight from payroll to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) — creating an official record and preventing lapses. Employers usually need one to two pay cycles to activate it, so keep paying through the portal until deductions appear on the stub.

Cover the gaps

• Job changes: notify the agency within three days and provide the new employer's HR contact.
• Medical and childcare: base withholding usually doesn't cover these — budget separately and pay within 30 days by a traceable method.
• Self-employed: set up automatic ACH to the SDU on fixed dates; weekly payments add stability.
• Bonuses and overtime: arrange automatic percentage withholding, or pay within 10 days of receipt.

Reconcile monthly

Compare pay stubs against SDU postings every month, and request a trace for any deduction that hasn't posted within two weeks.

Ready to collect what you're owed? A child support attorney at Sinkin Law Firm can pursue every dollar — on collection cases, you don't pay our fees.