A man in another state has recently learned that failing to financially support his child has criminal consequences. Parents in Georgia who also neglect to pay child support may face the same fate as this gentleman. Thankfully, it is possible to avoid such consequences by taking the appropriate actions early on.
According to a recent news report, a 45-year-old male was arrested in May of 2017 for failure to pay his child support obligation. He is said to have made infrequent support payments between 2005 and early 2011. The payments eventually stopped completely later in 2011. It is unclear as to why this man failed to keep his child support obligation over the years.
A judge just issued a ruling in his case. This individual has been ordered to serve five years behind bars, though that sentence was suspended. He is also to spend five years on probation. During his probationary period, he is to pay nearly $38,500 in past-due child support.
Many parents in Georgia who fail to pay child support simply feel they cannot afford it. If that is the case, rather than face criminal consequences for failure to pay, these individuals can seek to have their support obligations modified. With the assistance of legal counsel, one may be able to negotiate new terms with one’s ex or seek an order modification by filing the appropriate motion in court. If one must go to court, it will be necessary to show a change in circumstances occurred, making the obligation a hardship. A new order may then be issued that works with one’s current budget.
Source: wreg.com, “DeSoto County man ordered to pay $38K in back child support”, Feb. 7, 2018