Interstate Child Support Problems In Georgia And Tennessee

I was divorced In GA back in 1994 and ordered to pay $75 per week in child support for my 2 year old son. I then moved home to Tennessee and got $3000 behind on payments. I was served papers in TN and the support was modified and lowered to $50 per week based on my income with an additional $10 per week going toward the arrearages. A garnishment on my paycheck was issued for this amount. I have no knowledge of the law and assumed everything was taken care of and that I was paying what I was supposed to. A few years later I realized something was wrong because I kept getting these statements from GA saying I owed more and more in arrearages.

Instead of my amount going down it went up and my income taxes were offset as well. The original $3000 in arrearages turned into over $16,000 over the years despite my check being garnished, taxes offset and them getting regular payments to cover arrearages as well as regular support. I have researched this issue and understand the laws now and find it upsetting that I was taken to the bank this way when I clearly was doing what I was court ordered to do, yet nobody informed me I had to follow GA law and not Tennessee.

My son turns 18 in 4 months. He has lived in GA his whole life. Now however he is living in my state of TN with his aunt. He will be enrolled in school here soon. My court papers from 1995 state that child support ends when the child reaches 18, ceases to live with the plaintiff, enters the military or becomes self supporting. I am hoping I can get the garnishment stopped at 18 but since some of that garnishment covers arrearages will I be able to stop it? My taxes are offset to cover arrearages so I’m hoping it can. What will happen and can my ex do anything to fight me on dropping this garnishment when my son no longer lives with her?