Enforcing Child Support Orders in Georgia

When a parent falls behind on child support in Georgia, the state has a broad set of enforcement tools to collect what's owed. From automatic wage deductions to passport denial, OCGA § 19-6-28 and related provisions give custodial parents real leverage. This guide explains each enforcement mechanism, when it applies, and what to expect.

Income Withholding Orders

The primary enforcement tool in Georgia is the income deduction order, governed by OCGA § 19-6-32. Georgia law requires an income deduction order in every child support case. The order directs the paying parent's employer to withhold support from wages before the paycheck is issued.

Employers must begin withholding within 14 days of receiving the order. Withheld amounts are sent to the Georgia Family Support Registry, which processes and forwards payments to the receiving parent. Employers who fail to comply can be held liable for the amounts they should have withheld.

Federal law under the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) caps total withholding at 50% of disposable income for parents supporting a second family, or 60% for those who are not. An additional 5% applies when arrears exceed 12 weeks. Employers may also charge an administrative fee of up to $25 for processing the initial order and $3 per deduction thereafter.

License Suspensions

Georgia's Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) can request suspension of a delinquent parent's driver's license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses when support payments are more than 60 days past due.

Before suspension, the parent receives written notice and has 30 days to come into compliance. To reinstate a suspended license, the parent must either pay the full arrears balance, pay at least 20% of the total arrears and enter a payment plan, or demonstrate an ability to pay at least three times the current monthly obligation. Georgia does not issue limited driving permits for child-support-related suspensions.

Bank Account Levies

Through the Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) program, Georgia identifies bank accounts held by parents who owe child support. When a match is found and the delinquent parent owes at least one month of support, DCSS can issue a levy to freeze and seize funds from the account.

The parent receives notice before the funds are seized, giving them an opportunity to pay the balance or set up a payment arrangement. Joint accounts may also be subject to the levy, though the non-obligor account holder can petition to release their share.

Tax Refund Intercepts

Georgia participates in the federal Treasury Offset Program (TOP), which intercepts federal tax refunds to pay child support arrears. The minimum arrears threshold is $500 for cases receiving public assistance and $500 for private cases. Georgia state tax refunds can also be intercepted through a parallel state offset program.

Additionally, Georgia intercepts lottery winnings of $2,500 or more from the Georgia Lottery Corporation when the winner owes child support. These intercepts are processed automatically once DCSS identifies a match between the delinquent parent and the payment source.

Liens, Credit Reporting, and Interest

Georgia can place liens on real property, vehicles, and financial accounts when a parent falls behind on support. A support lien attaches to the property and must be satisfied before the asset can be sold or transferred.

DCSS also reports child support delinquencies to the three major credit bureaus. A child support delinquency on a credit report can significantly impact the parent's ability to obtain loans, housing, or employment. For more on how Georgia calculates child support amounts, see our detailed guide.

Unpaid child support in Georgia accrues interest at 7% per year under OCGA § 7-4-12.1. This interest compounds the total owed and provides an additional incentive for timely payment.

Contempt of Court and Passport Denial

Under OCGA § 19-6-28, Georgia courts can hold a delinquent parent in contempt of court for willful nonpayment of child support. Consequences include fines, community service, or incarceration. Courts typically reserve jail time for parents who have the ability to pay but refuse to do so.

At the federal level, the government will deny, revoke, or restrict a passport when child support arrears exceed $2,500. This applies to all states, including Georgia, and is administered through the Federal Office of Child Support Services.

Interstate Enforcement

When the paying parent lives outside Georgia, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) enables cross-state enforcement. Georgia can register its support order in the parent's home state and use that state's enforcement tools, or the other state can forward income withholding orders directly to the employer.

The Georgia Family Support Registry centralizes all payments regardless of where the paying parent lives, making tracking and enforcement more efficient. For parents dealing with spousal support alongside child support, our Georgia spousal support guide covers those obligations separately.

Estimate Your Georgia Divorce Costs

Use our free calculator to estimate overall divorce expenses in Georgia, including support obligations and legal fees.

Key Takeaways

• Automatic wage withholding: Income deduction orders are mandatory in every Georgia support case under OCGA § 19-6-32
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses can be suspended after 60 days of delinquency
• Bank levies: FIDM matches identify accounts for seizure when arrears reach one month of support
• Tax and lottery intercepts: Federal and state refunds plus lottery winnings over $2,500 are subject to seizure
• Interest accrual: Unpaid support accrues 7% annual interest under OCGA § 7-4-12.1
• Passport denial: Federal law blocks passports when arrears exceed $2,500
• Interstate reach: UIFSA enables enforcement across state lines through the Georgia Family Support Registry

For a broader overview of the divorce process, see our guide on understanding the divorce process.