What happens if you are behind on child support

Even if you lose your job and have very limited financial assets, you still have a legal duty to meet your child support obligations. If you fall behind on payments or stop paying child support, there are many possible repercussions.

An employed individual with a child support obligation should expect to see his or her paychecks slashed dramatically after failing to pay required child support. When it comes to other debts like unpaid medical bills, car payments, or credit card debt, the creditor must secure a judgment before garnishing wages. This is not the case with unpaid child support. If you owe child support, any checking, savings, or investment accounts are subject to seizure to obtain your owed payments.

A child support enforcement agent can secure your financial records to determine whether you have sufficient assets to cover some of your debt or your entire child support obligation and seize those assets. The only possible exception is a retirement account, but once that retirement account becomes an income stream, it becomes subject to seizure for owed child support. It is also possible to face a property lien if you own valuable property, such as an expensive vehicle or a piece of real estate.

Since child support falls under the purview of the government, the court can place an administrative lien on the property much faster and at minimal cost compared to other types of liens. Many issues can arise that could factor into the amount of child support one parent owes.

In situations like this, it is important to continue paying the court-ordered child support payments until a judge rules on whether or not some type of payment adjustment is warranted.

Sometimes, judges do make changes. A lawyer can review your options with you, and help you decide if going back to court to seek a change is a good idea.

Family law is not only emotional, but it can also be highly complex. Additionally, the penalties associated with failing to pay are tough. We can help in all of the following situations:. Each of these issues can be resolved by seeking legal counsel from an experienced attorney who knows family law.

Covid Update: The health and safety of our staff and clients is paramount. Penalties for Not Paying Child Support in Georgia Failing to pay court-mandated child support can result in numerous serious penalties. They include, but are not limited to: Jail: A judge can order a parent that has past due payments to spend time in jail.

This is usually saved as a last resort, because a parent in jail cannot earn money to make payments. The state enforces this penalty once a parent is more than 60 days past due on their payments. Professional or Business License revocation: In Georgia, failing to pay child support can lead to the suspension of a professional license, such as a license to practice medicine, an engineering license, or a teaching license, etc.

Not if the child is still in high school. If the child is still a high school student, you will probably have to pay the support until the child has completed the school year during which the child turns You will need to go back to court and explain that one of your children has turned 18 and you would like your support order to be lowered.

Can I still be held in contempt of court? Child support and visitation are two separate things. You must continue paying your child support as the court has ordered you to do. You will need to go back to the court to try to get the visitation going. Search this site:. Printer-friendly version If you do not pay child support as ordered by the court, you can be brought back to court.

Read this article to see what can happen to you, and what you should do. You may want to do the following: Collect any proof of income that you have had since the last time you were in court. Make a list of all employers, their addresses, and the dates of your employment since the last time you were in court.

If you are unemployed or have had periods of unemployment, make a list of every place you have looked for work since the last time you were in court, including names, addresses and dates that you applied for jobs. Make a list of all your essential living expenses that you have had since the last time you were in court. These might include your rent or other house payments, utilities, medical expenses, food expenses, and transportation expenses. If you have not been able to work because of a disability, bring a note from your doctor explaining what your disability is and that it prevents you from working.