Hello, I have a nephew who is $23,000 behind on child support. He has not seen his child in several years. He is not allowed to visit. He can not find a job. We live in Northeast Georgia where jobs are almost non existent. Our county depends largely on construction, Wal mart, and a Hanesbrand cotton mill. If he does not pay the full amount by the first of December,he will be locked up again.
He has had many problems. He has been in jail, quite a bit. He has recently been diagnosed as bipolar with paranoia. He is under out patient treatment for this. He has just got off intensive probation, but is still on probation after being locked up for 6 months. He has no formal training. He worked with his dad on construction, but his dad died in 2000. No one else will work him. They look at his past, even thought he is straight and trying real hard now. He has tried suicide 3 times before. If the legal system keeps pushing he will try and maybe succeed this time. What should he do? He can' afford a lawyer. That is why I am asking for suggestions on line. Wanda

Has he been paying at all? I don't know how full the jail is in your county but I know how full it is in mine and the judge will work with the payor as long as they are making an honest effort. This dosen't mean that he will get off scott free but if he isn't paying anything at all there is no hope for anything. Has he applied with any "for Hire" places that get you temp work? Has he been proactive at all?

Can't he move to another state to find work

He also can file for a modification on the arrears and get it knocked down to something reasonable so long as he's making an effort. His time in jail should also get him some credit towards it.

I'd definitely documument that he has in fact been trying to get work for starters. Just saying "there's no jobs here" won't cut it in my opinion. If he documents where he applies to, & it is consistent, it shows he's trying to change & that's a good thing. Also, make sure you have documentation of his conditions. Good record keeping is often key to proving there are efforts being made to change the situation. I'm not an expert here, but I've been through a divorce & my attorney insisted I have every shred of documentation & it was detrimental to keeping my personal property. There are free legal services out there for folks that can not afford it. I'd suggest you start looking real hard, you only have a couple of months to go. You have to go find it though, they won't come to you. Best of luck to you.

In the end, he first has to be paying the current amount and not be falling further behind.

After that the he will have to go back to court and try and get an arrangement to pay the past in payments,

He will have to get a job soon, maybe move to where construction is working harder, Coast line, KS , LA and other places.

If he ever works anywhere he will have to pay taxes. If he gets a tax return , the court will take some or all of it toward back child support.
I have seen this happen many times.