Parents in Rockland County and across New York who owe $15,000 or more in past-due child support now face the possibility of having their U.S. passports revoked, following a federal enforcement expansion that took effect on October 5. The change was reported by the San Juan Daily Star. This marks the sixth time the threshold has dropped since May, when the State Department began proactively revoking passports of parents owing $100,000 or more, as reported by PBS NewsHour.
The underlying 1996 federal law applies to anyone owing more than $2,500, and officials have stated that enforcement will continue to expand toward that figure. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. notes that the shift leaves far more Rockland County parents exposed, including those who travel abroad for work or to see family. The firm’s child support lawyer in New City, NY represents parents on all sides of support orders, from initial calculations through modification and enforcement.
For parents behind on payments, several key points warrant attention. First, missed payments cannot be erased later. Under New York Family Court Act § 451, a court cannot reduce support that accrued before a parent filed a petition to modify the order. A parent who lost a job last year and never filed still owes every payment missed since. Second, a change in circumstances may justify a new order. New York generally allows a modification after a substantial change in circumstances, after three years have passed, or when either parent’s income has changed by 15% or more. Third, paying the balance does not restore travel rights immediately. Once arrears are resolved, a parent must apply for a new passport after payment is confirmed, so trips planned on short notice may be lost.
“Most parents who fall behind on child support aren't trying to dodge it. They lost income and assumed the order would adjust on its own,” said Paul Goldhamer, founding partner of the firm. “It's important to understand that the order stands until a court changes it, so the time to act is as soon as your finances change.”
The implications extend beyond travel disruptions. Parents who rely on international business trips or family visits abroad may find their livelihoods and relationships strained. The enforcement expansion signals a tougher federal stance on child support arrears, potentially spurring more parents to seek legal guidance to modify orders proactively. For legal professionals, the change underscores the need to advise clients on the consequences of non-payment and the urgency of filing for modification when circumstances change. As the threshold continues to drop, more parents will be affected, making it critical to understand the legal avenues available. Goldhamer has spent four decades focused on matrimonial law, guiding clients through divorce, child support, custody, alimony, and property settlement. The firm’s attorneys also handle personal injury, national class action, employment, estate, and commercial real estate matters. Evening and weekend consultations are available by appointment.
