Couples who go through a breakup or divorce must still commit to their duties as parents and raise their children in environments where they can continuously thrive in. By routinely paying child support, they can ensure that their children’s needs will always be a priority. Here are five FAQs about child support in Georgia:
How long will it take to establish my child support order?
There will be a 20-day period for the state’s Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) to review your submitted application packet and establish a case.
How can I check if my payment has been processed?
You may access information about your child support payment through the DCSS online portal or the GA DCSS mobile app. If there is no new payment showing up on your account’s profile, it can mean either that the payment has not yet been received or that there was no payment made.
Are payments transferred to banks in real time?
No. The DCSS does not perform same-day bank transfers. The agency’s bank transfers funds within two business days from the payment date. However, this process could take longer if the non-custodial parent paid for their child support during a holiday or a weekend.
What happens if I fall behind my child support payments?
The most common method of collecting arrears from the non-custodial parent is through wage garnishment. This process allows the DCSS to deduct the current owed support, plus an additional amount directly from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck.
There are other methods that the DCSS can enforce to collect arrears, such as tax refund intercepts, referral to credit bureaus and license suspension.
Can I request an update of my child support order?
Either parent can submit a request for a modification review to the local office that manages their child support case. However, it is important to note that the review process can take up to six months, depending on how difficult it is to verify income or if the other parent lives in a different state.
After completion of the review process, the parent who requested the modification must pay a $100 non-refundable review application fee. An exception to this rule is if they are currently receiving ‘Temporary Assistance for Needy Families’.
Your children will be okay
Divorce may be a challenging experience to go through, but you are not alone on this journey. By gaining insight into the process, you can protect your rights and ensure that your children’s needs will always be met and taken care of.