Securing Support and Stability: Attorney Giget C. Johnson Talks Child Support on "Wake Up with Dee"
August is Child Support Awareness Month, and to shed light on the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of child support, Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, host of Wake Up with Dee on News & Talk WAOK, sat down with Attorney Giget C. Johnson — a respected family law attorney with over two decades of legal experience.
Admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2002, Attorney Johnson is authorized to practice in both state and federal courts, including trial and appellate levels. Her admissions include:
The Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia
The Supreme Court of the State of Georgia
The U.S. District Court in the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh and Sixth Circuits
Steps to Securing Child Support: Legitimizing Paternity
One of the key points of the conversation centered on the importance of establishing paternity as the first step in securing child support. Attorney Johnson emphasized that legitimating a child—particularly for fathers not married to the mother at the time of birth—is a necessary legal step to gain full parental rights, including custody, visitation, and the ability to request child support orders through the court.
"Without legitimating a child, the father may have no legal standing, even if his name is on the birth certificate," Johnson explained.
Cooperation Over Conflict: For the Good of the Child Attorney Johnson also stressed the importance of cooperative co-parenting, regardless of past relationship issues between the parents. She urged listeners to prioritize the well-being and stability of the child, which often includes mutual support—financial, emotional, and otherwise.
"It's not about punishing the other parent. It's about making sure the child has what they need to thrive," she said.
Dr. Dee and Attorney Johnson acknowledged that legal intervention can be necessary in some situations, but wherever possible, communication and shared responsibility are key.
Georgia's Unpaid Child Support Crisis
The interview also highlighted the staggering amount of unpaid child support in the state of Georgia—millions of dollars left uncollected, leaving countless children without essential financial support.
Attorney Johnson encouraged custodial parents to seek legal assistance if they're not receiving the support owed to them and reminded non-custodial parents that falling behind on payments can have serious legal consequences, including license suspension and jail time.
Need Legal Help? Contact Attorney Giget C. Johnson
If you're dealing with child support issues, paternity concerns, or need help navigating the family law system, Attorney Giget C. Johnson is available for consultation.
Contact Information:
The Law Office of Giget C. Johnson, LLC
Athlete's Lair LLC
P.O. Box 81574
Phone: (404) 378-4893
For those who missed the full interview, listen to the full audio clip below to hear Attorney Johnson's insights on protecting parental rights and securing the support children deserve.
