If you owe child support, or you expect to have these obligations soon because you are ending your marriage, it is critical to go over a number of issues. Aside from familiarizing yourself with the way in which courts calculate child support and making sure that your child support order is fair, you should also understand what can happen if a parent does not pay child support.
In Georgia, parents who fall behind on child support can face a number of harsh penalties.
Consequences for missing child support payments
The Georgia Secretary of State published information that sheds light on the penalties parents can face for failing to pay child support. For example, if you fall behind, you could have your state and federal tax refunds intercepted. In addition, you could face the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and a lien on your personal property or real property.
Furthermore, parents who fall behind on child support sometimes face the loss of their passport privileges, which could interfere with a vacation you have planned or an important business trip.
Dealing with child support payment challenges
If you owe back support, you should strive to get caught up, and setting up a payment plan could help. Also, it is crucial to do everything you can to avoid falling behind on child support in the first place. Make sure you understand your obligations and payment options, and look into the possibility of modifying your child support order if you have lost your job or face other significant financial hardships in order to avoid serious penalties.
