Rhode Island General Laws Title 14. Delinquent and Dependent Children § 14-1-44. Effect of order for maintenance--Enforcement

(a) The order and decree shall be regarded as a judgment for debt on which suits may be brought or executions may issue for amounts due and unpaid, from time to time, to be shown by affidavits of the custodian of the child entitled to those amounts and the attorney of record, if any, of the custodian, the executions to run against the goods and chattels of the parent, and for want of goods and chattels against the body of the parent. The law officer of any town or city or the state attorney-general of the state may enter appearance for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing any order and decree for support in the case of a child in which the town, city, or state is an interested party.

(b) The court shall have any and all of the powers of a court of equity for the purpose of enforcing any of these orders and decrees.