# Enforcing Child Support Orders in Georgia Understand the tools Georgia uses to enforce child support orders. ### Income Withholding Orders The primary enforcement tool in Georgia is the **income deduction order**, governed by [OCGA § 19-6-32](https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-6/section-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)](https://childsupport.georgia.gov/) 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](https://childsupport.georgia.gov/programs-services/drivers-license-reinstatement), 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](/content/blog/georgia-child-support-calculations/index.html), 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](https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/chapter-6/section-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](/content/blog/georgia-spousal-support-guide/index.html) covers those obligations separately. ## 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 ### Disclaimer This article provides general information about Georgia child support enforcement under OCGA §§ 19-6-28, 19-6-32, and related statutes. It is not legal advice. Enforcement thresholds, timelines, and procedures may change. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Georgia family law attorney or visit the [Georgia Division of Child Support Services](https://childsupport.georgia.gov/).