Q: Maximum Jail Term for "Civil Contempt -- Back Child Support"
What is the maximum length of time that a person can be held in jail for "Civil Contempt -- Back Child Support"? There are no criminal charges. Amount of child support arrears is $3,500. The person in jail has zero financial resources and zero ability to come up with the money to pay the arrears. I presume she cannot be held indefinitely. What is the maximum length of time this person can be held in jail? This is in Georgia.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- Georgia
- (770) 854-0777
- View Profile
- Answered
A: The court will only order jail time if the court finds that she has not exhausted all resources in order to try to pay. $3500 is not a lot of money to come up with. She needs to have applied for loans, title pawns, sold jewelry, gotten a 2nd job, maxed out credit card, asked for money from friends / family. If that has not been done, then all efforts have not been exhausted.
Homer P Jordan IV agrees with this answer
1 user found this answer helpful
A: I agree with my colleague, jail time is going to be a last resort, and that is not a lot of money to be behind at this point. -Homer P. Jordan IV, Esq. 404-620-1558
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
