§ 19-7-52.To whom support payments made; enforcement and modification of orders
Chapter 7. Parent and Child Relationship Generally · Article 3. Determination of Paternity · Last amended 2015 · Last verified October 9, 2026
Full Text of § 19-7-52
Plain-English Summary
Once a paternity decree sets support, someone has to receive the money. This section gives the court options. It may order support paid to the mother or another interested party, the child support receiver, the prosecuting attorney, the community supervision officer or the clerk of court.
One case is different. When the Department of Human Services brought the action on the child’s behalf, the payments “shall” go to the Department for distribution, or to the child support receiver if the Department asks. That keeps payment records in one place when the state is enforcing support.
The second half of the section treats paternity orders like divorce orders. The same remedies and procedures that apply to enforcing and modifying visitation and support orders from divorce cases apply to those from paternity cases. A parent with a paternity order uses the same tools, such as contempt, and the same modification process as a divorced parent. Support amounts themselves follow the guidelines in § 19-6-15. The section was last amended in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who receives child support payments in a Georgia paternity case?
The court chooses. It may order payment to the mother or another interested party, the child support receiver, the prosecuting attorney, the community supervision officer or the clerk of court. When the Department of Human Services brought the case, payments go to the Department or to the child support receiver at its request.
Where do payments go when the state brought the paternity case?
When the Department of Human Services brought the action on behalf of a child, the support payment shall be made to the Department for distribution, or to the child support receiver if the Department so requests. The court doesn’t have the same choice of payees in that situation.
How do I enforce a child support order from a Georgia paternity case?
The same way you would enforce one from a divorce. The section says the same remedies and procedures apply to enforcing support and visitation orders in paternity cases as apply to orders arising from divorce proceedings. The court can use the tools available in divorce cases.
Can a paternity child support order be modified in Georgia?
Yes, by the same remedies and procedures that apply to modifying support orders from divorce proceedings. Whatever process governs changing a divorce support order also governs changing one from a paternity case. Support amounts follow the guidelines in § 19-6-15.
Can visitation from a paternity order be enforced or changed?
Yes. The section applies the same remedies and procedures for enforcement and modification of visitation orders as apply to visitation orders from divorce proceedings. A parent doesn’t have fewer tools because the order came from a paternity case rather than a divorce.
Amendment History
Laws 1980, p. 1374, § 1; Laws 2009, Act 102, § 2-2, eff. July 1, 2009; Laws 2015, Act 73, § 5-43, eff. July 1, 2015.
Formerly Code 1933, § 74-313.