Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

Child Support Enforcement

I have been in the family court system since 1991. The defendant and I were never married. My child support was set at $30/wk. My arrearge is currently over $8000. The non-custodial parent in my case has moved to Georgia. I was finally able to get my case sent to Georgia for enforcement. Georgia has not been able to verify a postal address for the defendant. They have recently verified his place of employment. However, I have been told that they cannot do anything else without a postal address. My questions are: 1. Can the defendant not be served at his place of employment? 2. Can they not issue an income withholding order? 3. Can an attachment be issued? 4. Can I request a contempt hearing and he be served the notice at work? 5. If my case is sent back to Alabama, can Alabama serve or attach him in Georgia? 6. If I hire a private attorney, can they really do anything to assist me. The defendant has three children (only one by me), all residing in the state of Alabama. Two child support cases are interstate and the other is local. How can that be? Please help, I am desperate. Thanks


Asked on 4/30/02, 10:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Eric Ballinger Ballinger & Associates

Re: Child Support Enforcement

I do not know what you can do in Alabama, but in Georgia you can domesticate the Alabama order and file for contempt here. He can be served at his place of employment, but the petition has to be filed in the county which he resides. I would file in the county where he works (in the assumption that he lives in the same county) and if it turns out he lives in a different county, then just transfer the case. With employment information you can also collect your support through an income deduction order. A private attoreny may be of more elp in that they woiuld have more time to devote to your case and will be more willing to be creative about getting this dead beat father into court. He also could be required to pay attorney's fees.

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Answered on 4/30/02, 4:05 pm


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