Federal Court Orders Georgia To Stop Collecting Foster Care Payments For Adopted Or Adult Children

A federal court issued a preliminary injunction on September 23, 2026, ordering Georgia to stop collecting child support payments from parents for children who have been adopted or aged out of foster care. The order also requires state child welfare officials to establish a process for parents to challenge incorrect charges and stop punitive enforcement measures for nonpayment, including revoking licenses or passports. The ruling applies while a federal civil rights lawsuit challenging Georgia's foster care child support practices continues.

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) had already changed its child support policy in August 2024 . . .