“I’m behind on child support, but I’m paying on it now. Can I still get an FHA loan?” It’s a fair question, and the answer is often yes. What matters is how the past-due balance shows up, how much it is, and whether you have a payment arrangement in place. Here’s how it usually works.

Your Current Child Support Payment Always Counts

If you pay child support, the monthly amount in your court order or agreement is counted as a debt in your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), just like a car payment. That’s true whether or not you’re behind. Lenders usually verify it with the divorce decree, support order or payment history.

How FHA Treats a Past-Due Balance

How it’s handled depends on how the unpaid support is reported.

1. As a collection account. FHA looks at all your collection balances together. If they add up to $2,000 or more, you generally have three options:
   • pay the balance in full at or before closing;
   • show a documented payment arrangement, with the monthly payment counted in your DTI; or
   • if there’s no arrangement, the lender counts 5% of the balance as a monthly payment in your DTI.
2. As a court judgment or lien. Past-due support is sometimes reduced to a judgment or recorded as a lien. FHA generally requires a judgment to be paid off, or covered by a written payment agreement with a documented history of on-time payments, typically at least three months.
3. In a public-records check. Even if it isn’t on your credit report, the underwriter may find it in public records, the divorce file or your bank statements. It’s better to tell your loan officer up front.

Paying it off isn’t always required. Many borrowers qualify while they’re still on a payment plan, as long as the plan is documented and the payment fits in their DTI.

Example

Say you owe $6,000 in past-due support and have no payment plan. Using 5% of the balance, the lender would count $300 a month in your DTI, on top of your regular support payment. With a documented plan of $150 a month, the lender would count $150 instead. This is an estimate based on the information provided; your lender’s calculation may differ.

What to Gather

1. Your divorce decree or child support order.
2. A current statement of the past-due balance. In Florida, the Department of Revenue Child Support Program or the court clerk can usually provide one.
3. Your written payment arrangement, if you have one.
4. Proof of your recent payments (bank statements or a payment history).
5. A payoff letter, if you plan to pay it off at closing.

Receiving Child Support Instead?

If you’re the parent who receives support, it may count as income. See alimony and child support income and qualifying with alimony or child support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an FHA loan if I owe back child support?

Often, yes. If the past-due support is a collection and your collections total $2,000 or more, you can generally pay it off, document a payment arrangement, or have the lender count 5% of the balance in your DTI. Guidelines may change, and lender overlays may be stricter.

Do I have to pay off past-due child support before closing?

Not always. A documented payment arrangement, with the payment counted in your DTI, can be enough. A court judgment generally needs to be paid off or covered by a written agreement with a history of on-time payments.

How is past-due child support counted in my debt-to-income ratio?

Your regular support payment always counts. For the past-due balance, the lender counts your payment-plan amount, or 5% of the balance per month if there’s no plan and it isn’t paid off.

Will lenders find past-due child support if it’s not on my credit report?

They may. Underwriters can find it in public records, your divorce paperwork or bank statements. Disclosing it early gives your loan officer time to structure the loan correctly.

More family situations: Family and Mortgages in Florida. Get started: Free rate quote · Start an application · Call or text 904-880-6741.

Available for qualified borrowers. FHA guidelines apply and may change, and lender overlays may be stricter. Any payment example is an estimate based on the information provided. Rates and terms are subject to change. All loans subject to credit approval. This is general information, not legal advice. Reviewed September 2026.

Nathan Young, NMLS #325206 | North Star Mortgage Network, Inc., NMLS #356789 | 12058 San Jose Blvd, Suite 404, Jacksonville, FL 32223 | 904-880-6741 | Equal Housing Lender