§ 19-11-121.Representative for minor parent
Chapter 11. Enforcement of Duty of Support · Article 3. Uniform Interstate Family Support Act · Part 3. Civil Provisions · Last amended 2013 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-11-121
Plain-English Summary
Teenage parents need support for their children too, and the other parent may live in another state. This one-sentence section makes clear that being a minor doesn’t shut the door. A minor parent may maintain a proceeding under the interstate support act on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the minor’s child. So may the minor parent’s guardian or other legal representative.
The section lists three people who may act: the minor parent personally, a guardian of the minor parent, or another legal representative of the minor parent. It uses “may,” so the choice belongs to them. It doesn’t say who counts as a legal representative; that question turns on other law and the facts.
The proceedings available are the same ones open to any petitioner under the article. Code Section 19-11-124(b)(1) lets a responding Georgia tribunal establish or enforce a support order, modify a child support order, determine the controlling order, or determine parentage of a child. Code Section 19-11-120(b) describes the two ways to start: through an initiating tribunal for forwarding, or directly in a tribunal that has or can obtain personal jurisdiction over the respondent.
A minor parent who wants help can ask for it. Code Section 19-11-126(a) says Georgia’s support enforcement agency, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under the article. The section was amended in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a teen mom file for child support against a father in another state?
Yes. This section says a minor parent may maintain a proceeding under the interstate support act on behalf of or for the benefit of the minor’s child. The minor parent’s guardian or other legal representative may do so as well.
Does a minor parent need a guardian to file an interstate support case?
Not under this section. It lists the minor parent personally as someone who may maintain a proceeding, alongside a guardian or other legal representative of the minor parent. Either route is available; the section doesn’t require one over the other.
Can a grandparent file on behalf of a teenage parent’s child?
Only if the grandparent is the minor parent’s guardian or other legal representative. This section authorizes the minor parent, or a guardian or other legal representative of the minor parent, to maintain the proceeding. It doesn’t name grandparents as such; whether a particular grandparent qualifies depends on that legal role.
Can a minor parent get help from the state with an interstate support case?
Yes. Code Section 19-11-126(a) says a Georgia support enforcement agency, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under the article. A minor parent bringing a proceeding under this section is a petitioner who can ask for those services.
Can a minor parent use this law to establish paternity?
Yes. Proceedings under the interstate support act include determining parentage. Code Section 19-11-124(b)(1) lets a responding Georgia tribunal determine parentage of a child, and this section lets a minor parent maintain a proceeding for the benefit of the minor’s child.
Amendment History
Laws 1997, p. 1613, § 33; Laws 2013, Act 224, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013.