Wills & Trusts News

In Georgia, Parents Given Chance To Get Back On Track With Child Support

ATLANTA (GA) – Fulton County parents who are behind in their court-ordered child support payments have been given a one-time only chance to get back on track, start helping their children, and avoid enforcement actions such as a jail term or loss of a driver’s license. The Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) and the Fulton County District Attorney’s office are offering this opportunity during March to parents with a child support case in Fulton County.

Close to 3,500 parents who are at least six months behind or owe more than four times their monthly payment amount have been scheduled to meet with OCSE staff between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, March 17 at the Fulton County courthouse, 136 Pryor Street in downtown Atlanta, courtroom 6-J. If they pay a significant amount toward their arrears and provide updated information about their current address and employment they can avoid a contempt of court summons. Parents who do not earn enough to pay child support may be referred to the Fatherhood Program, a partnership between OCSE and the Department of Technical and Adult Education that provides training and counseling to help parents increase their earning power.

"We want to foster a new cooperative relationship with parents whenever possible," says OCSE Deputy Director Cindy Moss. "We believe most parents want to help their children, but sometimes they get to the point where they’re afraid to come forward and talk to us about their circumstances. We would rather see the children receive the support they need than send people to jail. In some cases we will work out a consent agreement for the parent to start paying regularly and get caught up. On the other hand, if someone does not come forward for their appointment with us or cannot supply the initial payment and information required, we will make an appointment for them to appear in court."

Those for whom an arrest warrant has already been issued or whose driver’ s license has been suspended because of child support arrears may receive "amnesty" from the District Attorney’s office if they meet with OCSE staff any time from March 1 through 31 and make arrangements to meet their obligations.

"This is a unique opportunity for parents to not only help their children but themselves too," says Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. "Every child deserves a safe and comfortable place to call home, plenty to eat, and shoes on his feet, and, sometimes, non-custodial parents deserve a second chance to provide these things. That’s what this ‘amnesty initiative’ is all about."

Almost one in four children in Georgia (24 percent) receives child support. "This support can make a big difference in children’s lives and it helps many families remain self-sufficient," says Moss. "Our mission is to serve as a resource to help children and strengthen families."

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