Divorcing with children can be a complex and emotional matter. In most cases, it is something that will need to be addressed again after the divorced is finalized. This is why divorcing parents in Georgia and elsewhere should prepare themselves to work through legal issues regarding their children up until they reach the age of majority. Child support is frequently a reason why parents will bring the matter back to court, especially if one parent is seeking enforcement or is requesting the amount to increase or decrease.
Modifying child support
When child support is ordered in Georgia, it is the Georgia Division of Child Support Services that will assist with the review or modification of a current child support order. When a review is sought, it will be determined whether a recommendation with regards to the current support amount. This means that they may recommend that the amount goes up, goes down or remain the same.
It should be noted that this process will not alter past due support. That means if the current amount changes, it is not retroactive. In other words, it only impact future support payments. Additionally, during this review, the agency can make a recommendation regarding whether one or both parents provide medical insurance.
Requesting a review
When a review of a current child support order is requested, the parent requesting the review will have to pay an application fee of $100. However, this fee is waived if the parent is currently receiving TANF, Medicaid benefits or has a gross income of $1000 or less a month. Once a review is requested, it could take up to six months to complete the entire process, as it requires various financial documents that needs to be collected and verified. If another state is involved, this could also lengthen the process.
Child support is an important legal issue to establish and work through, as these funds can be imperative to the care and upbringing of a child. Therefore, it is important for parents to understand their rights and options when it comes to establishing, enforcing and modifying child support. This not only protects their rights are a parent but also the best interests of the child or children involved.
