If the paying parent is unable to make his/her child support payments because of being unemployed or under-employed, the court may order the paying parent to seek a full-time job. Usually, the order will require the parent to register and cooperate with a local employment agency, apply for at least five jobs per week, and report back to court with proof of the applications. The seek work order can be continued by the court until the parent gets a full-time job. (Paying parents may be required by the court to attend multiple court hearings in relation to the seek work order process.)

If the paying parent does not comply with any portion of the court's order, a contempt of court order may be issued.