My Ex Isn’t Paying Child Support in Atlanta: What Should I Do?

Many parents in Atlanta depend on their exes for child support. Although the relationship may be strained, this financial safety net can prove crucial for the child’s well-being. What happens when that money stops flowing? What can a parent do if their ex stops paying child support in Atlanta? This is a common question, and one that you might want to explore with an experienced family law attorney.

The Court Can Order Your Ex to Pay 

If your ex is not paying their child support, the court may get involved on your behalf and force your ex to comply. Child support takes the form of a court order. As with any court order, those who disobey face a charge called “contempt of court.” This is technically a crime in Georgia, and courts may penalize offenders in various ways.

However, the goal here is to get your ex to pay their fair share. If the court sends your ex to jail instead, you would not solve your problem, and your ex may be unable to earn income. As a result, it makes more sense to pressure your ex into paying the required sums.

Consider speaking with your ex before taking legal action, as their failure to pay may be due to a simple misunderstanding or complex factor that you haven’t considered.

Can I Garnish My Ex’s Wages to Cover Child Support? 

Yes, the court may garnish your ex’s wages to enforce child support orders. In other words, the court will take the required amounts out of your ex’s earnings before they have a chance to access that money. In addition to paychecks, the court may intercept and garnish unemployment income, workers’ compensation benefits, and any other money your ex is capable of paying.

The court might also intercept your ex’s tax refunds, both on a federal and state level. If these strategies are not providing the intended results, the court may pressure your ex in other ways. They might report them to credit bureaus, thereby decreasing their credit score. They might also suspend their driving license. Liens can help access the necessary funds if your ex has assets. The court can even suspend or revoke your ex’s passport and professional licenses (such as medical or legal licenses).

If all else fails, incarceration can send a clear message that this misconduct is not acceptable. This could force your ex to confront the reality that not paying child support has consequences.

Can a Family Law Attorney in Atlanta Help Me? 

A family law attorney in Atlanta may be able to help if you need to hold your ex accountable for not paying child support. The good news is that the State of Georgia enforces strict penalties for those who stop paying child support. That being said, you may be able to work with your ex and resolve this issue in private without going to court. Contact Buckhead Family Law today to learn more about your options.

Source:

georgia.gov/collect-child-support-payment