Court Opinion

ID: 9585526
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:01:23.40376+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:20.029895
License: Public Domain

Judge Greene
concurring.
I write separately only to emphasize the difference between a retroactive modification of a child support order and a credit on a child support obligation. These differences apply not only in Georgia, but also in North Carolina. Retroactive modification of past due child support is prohibited. See N.C.G.S. § 50-13.10(a), (b) (1987). Credits on a court-ordered child support obligation are permitted if the oblig- or has substantially complied with the child support order. See Homer H. Clark, Jr., The Law of Domestic Relations in the United States § 17.3, at 748 (2d ed. 1988) [hereinafter Clark] (distinguishing between credits and modifications); Goodson v. Goodson, 32 N.C. App. 76, 81, 231 S.E.2d 178, 182 (1977) (credit on child support obligation permitted where “equitable considerations” exist). For example, payments made by a third party to the custodian may be credited against the support obligation. Clark at 748-49. For another example, when the obligor fails to make payments as ordered but makes payments directly to the child, no credit is allowed unless the custodial parent consents. Clark at 749; see Pieper v. Pieper, 108 N.C. App. 722, 730,425 S.E.2d 435, 439 (1993). Furthermore, as for payments to third parties for expenses incurred on behalf of the child, credit is more likely if the expense is incurred “with the consent or at the request of the parent with custody.” Goodson, 32 N.C. App. at 81, 231 S.E.2d at 182.