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Mother sentenced for failing to pay child support

Many times after a divorce, it is the children who suffer the most. Not only is it emotionally draining for children to watch the marriage of their parents fall apart, but it can also cause some financial hardships as well. If one parent in Georgia does not fulfill his or her child support obligations after a divorce, it can hinder a child’s opportunities due to lack of financial stability.

Also, failing to make support payments for children can be detrimental to the parent as well. It can result in monetary fines and even time behind bars. One 39-year-old woman found this out when she was recently sentenced on two felony charges for failing to pay child support. The mother pleaded guilty to both counts.

The judge handed the mother a five year prison sentence. However, the judge granted the mother a suspension of the sentence, which kept her from prison. The judge then ordered the mother to pay $5,000 towards what she owed in child support. An additional $270 per month was then added to her regular monthly support payments.

The authorities will eventually punish a person for not making their child support payments in Georgia or in any other state. However, there are ways to avoid having to deal with fines and potential time behind bars. When a parent is falling behind on support payments, it may be a good idea to petition the court to modify support payment schedules. This type of proceeding requires a showing that there has been a substantial change in financial circumstances that was not the fault of the petitioner. This can help the parent obtain more manageable monthly child support payments.

Source: myfoxdfw.com, “Woman pleads guilty in child support case,” April 15, 2013