- March 20, 2021
Child support after a divorce in Georgia is tough to ascertain. Whether a divorce is contested or uncontested, there is no doubt that in most cases, they are difficult to face altogether. It’s not just about the process of a divorce but also about the uncertainty that the future holds.
This is most certainly true in the case if there are children in the picture as well. Even if the divorce is by a mutual understanding, the children can still be left affected. Apart from the emotional trauma they may have to experience, the financial aspect of their future can also be affected.
Unfortunately, the rate of divorces in Georgia has been going up in the past years since the year 2012. One can only imagine the number of lives affected by these numbers.
A crucial aspect when it comes to parents getting divorced is child support. Child support would be a crucial area to address after the divorce happens. Child support refers to periodic payments for the financial well-being of the children after a divorce. These payments are made by one parent to the other. However, in some cases, what can also happen is that child support may not be received in any form; direct or indirect.
1. What Do I Do If I Am Not Receiving Child Support After My Divorce in Georgia?
Child support can be taken up legally in case of non-payment. If a court order is already in place, then the payment withheld by one parent for child support can be pursued by the other. Every state has a designated agency that is in charge of child support collection issues. These agencies will extend you help for a bare minimum charge (if there is any at all).
The responsibility of the agency would be to locate the parent who refuses to pay child support. This condition pertains to cases where the parent relocates to another state as well. Once the parent has been found, these agencies will seek payment on your behalf. You would be allowed to share the child support order to a family court of the state the non-paying parent resides in as well as the state’s child support agency. You would also be allowed to share the order with the non-paying parent’s employer. Not paying for child support in one state while residing in another qualifies as a felony and can be pursued on legal grounds. Even in case of bankruptcy, the amount owed to you for child support will not be waived.
However, this process can be a little time-consuming. In which case you would have to arrange funds to stay afloat in the meantime.
2. What Consequences Can a Parent Face for Not Paying Child Support?
In case of non-payment for court-ordered child support after a divorce, you are fully entitled to pursue the case through an attorney. In this case, attorneys are also obligated to help you fight for your rights. Failure to comply can result in a sentence to jail and this is well communicated by your attorney to the non-paying parent.
Government agencies can also intercept to help you out in a few ways. In case of non-payment of Child support after a divorce in Georgia, agencies might divert the non-paying spouse’s tax refund to you. They might also delegate a part of their earned wages to you if your ex-spouse is currently working. They might also seize their assets to sell them off, with the proceeds provided to you.
These agencies can also take other steps. These actions can include revoking the non-paying parent’s driver’s license, business licenses, or occupational licenses. They may also not be allowed to obtain a U.S. passport.
A jail sentence for your ex-spouse would be in most cases unlikely, however. Since a person who is in prison cannot work or earn for that matter which means they won’t be in a position to pay for child support.
3. Are Divorces Always This Bad?
That is certainly not the case. Divorces often bring with them tragedy and grief. However, there are many cases where relationships are able to end on much more amicable terms. And these terms are adhered to even after the divorce by both parents in a very civilized manner. This is always up to the route the divorcing couple takes.
If you or a loved one is going through a divorce but wishes to pursue it as an uncontested divorce in Georgia, feel free to contact our office. We assure you, we will make the process as easy for you as possible.
