Georgia Mother Sues Child Support, Challenging Fees After Foster Care Placement
A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the state of Georgia on behalf of low-income parents who were charged child support after their children were placed in foster care. The lawsuit alleges that state agencies knowingly charged impoverished families, including one mother who faced fees despite homelessness and working multiple jobs. While Georgia has since changed its practices, the new rules do not apply to past cases, like the one at the center of the lawsuit, which is also seeking compensation for past payments. The lawsuit specifically challenges the ongoing pursuit of child support from parents whose children have aged out of the foster care system or been adopted, arguing that such practices are counterproductive to family reunification.