It's not uncommon for the financial situation of parents to change throughout the course of their child(ren)'s lifetime. Particularly during recent years, as more and more people throughout Georgia have lost jobs, been forced to take substantial paycuts to stay in their jobs or had their hours substantially cut back, the ability of one parent to pay child support may change over time. A child support order is not always set in stone. There are some circumstances that may warrant, or even require, changing a child support obligation.
Georgia Fathers' Rights May Start With a Paternity Test
As more and more couples opt to start families before or without getting married, paternity testing is topping many New Year's resolution lists. According to study results released by Identigene, over half of those in the study who had paternity-related questions planned to resolve them in 2012. Identigene sells an at-home paternity testing kit that is available in major pharmacies.
Georgia Child Support Calculations
In Georgia, a parent is generally expected to pay for the support and care of his or her children until the children reach 18. There are certain exceptions related to emancipation, marriage of the child before 18 and whether or not the child has graduated from high school by 18. While it's well-known and well-accepted that parents must support their children, the amount of the support each parent is obligated to provide depends on each family's situation.
Failing to Pay Court-Ordered Child Support in Georgia Can Land You in Jail
In Georgia, regardless of whether parents are married or not, both have a duty to support their children. When married parents go through divorce proceedings, child custody and child support are one of the central pieces of divorce negotiations. The children of unmarried parents also have a duty to support their children and one can be compelled, by court order, to pay child support to the other for the benefit of their children.
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