| With the estimated cost to raise a child hovering | | | | The support amount will be set by the judge |
| around $200,000 according to some sources, | | | | based on the reports and the state guidelines. |
| Georgia courts have been vigilant in enforcing child | | | | Georgia child support is paid through payroll |
| support laws. In 2007, new laws went into effect | | | | deduction in most cases. Child support payments |
| based on the “shared income” model that | | | | are made to the Georgia Family Support Registry. |
| had been adopted by other states. In short, if the | | | | What Happens If a Parent Doesn’t Pay? |
| mother, in this case the custodial parent, makes | | | | Failure to pay child support is considered contempt |
| $2,000 a month and the father makes $8,000 a | | | | of court. The state has several ways to collect |
| month, the father would be responsible for 80 | | | | back child support including: |
| percent of the child’s expenses. The Georgia | | | | - Seizing the parent’s tax refunds |
| child support changes were made to equal the | | | | - Placing a lien on bank accounts |
| playing field between parents. For example, even | | | | - Intercepting lottery winnings |
| if the mother (the custodial) parent, made more | | | | - Revoking driver’s license |
| than the father, often he would still be forced to | | | | - Reporting the arrears to the credit bureau |
| pay a large amount of support based on his | | | | - In extreme cases, the parent may be jailed for |
| income since hers was not considered. By including | | | | failure to pay child support. |
| the income of both parents, lawmakers hoped | | | | Paternity and Child Support |
| the cost of raising the child would be shared more | | | | Mothers who were never married to their |
| equally by both parents. | | | | child’s father will have to establish paternity |
| Determining Child Support for Divorcing Parents | | | | before child support can be collected unless the |
| When going through a divorce, both parents will fill | | | | father signed a voluntary paternity agreement. In |
| out a worksheet and schedule. The parents will | | | | some cases, these fathers must be located. A |
| provide several documents to the court to | | | | DNA test can be conducted by the Georgia |
| determine the amount of child support, including | | | | Office of Child Support Services. If it is |
| but not limited to: | | | | determined that the man is the father or cannot |
| - Proof of income which could include paycheck | | | | be excluded as the father, the mother can file a |
| stubs or income tax returns | | | | case for support with the state’s child |
| - Estimated medical and day care costs | | | | support office. |
| - Health insurance options for the child | | | | Finally, fathers are not the only ones who are |
| - Special expenses (summer camps, | | | | required to pay child support. Mothers who do not |
| extracurricular activities) | | | | have custody are also required to support their |
| - A personal budget showing the parent’s | | | | children financially. |
| other expenses. | | | | |
