Faking your own death to avoid child support? Here’s why that’s an (obviously) terrible idea.

You’ve probably heard some wild stories about people going to extreme lengths to get out of their obligations, but one Kentucky man’s recent attempt takes the cake. Jesse Kipf, a 39-year-old hacker, was recently sentenced to nearly seven years in federal prison after orchestrating an elaborate scheme to fake his own death, all to avoid paying over $116,000 in child support. While his plan involved hacking state death registries and stealing identities, Kipf learned the hard way that trying to cheat your way out of child support—especially by faking your own death—can land you in far worse trouble.

Georgia’s parental duty to support your children.

Let’s get one thing straight: under Georgia law, parents have a legal obligation to support their children. This duty is taken very seriously by the courts, and no amount of trickery or deception will let you off the hook. According to Georgia’s child support laws, a parent’s responsibility to support their child is a fundamental one, and the state provides various mechanisms to enforce these obligations, including wage garnishment, liens on property, and even jail time for nonpayment. Trying to escape this responsibility through illegal means, like Kipf did, only compounds the problem and adds criminal charges to the mix.

Cheating your way out of child support is a bad idea.

But let’s dive into why faking your death is such a bad idea, beyond just the obvious reasons. Kipf’s scheme involved hacking into the death registries of Arizona, Hawaii, and Vermont, forging documents, and even using stolen credentials to certify his own death. He probably thought he was being clever by searching online for ways to cancel his child support obligations upon “death.” What he didn’t account for was that his actions would lead to charges of computer fraud, aggravated identity theft, and a slew of other offenses. The result? Nearly seven years in prison and $195,758.65 in damages—including the child support he was trying to dodge.

In Georgia, attempting something similar would not only fail to erase your child support obligations but also put you in serious legal jeopardy. The courts here have seen just about every excuse in the book, and they’re well-equipped to deal with parents who try to shirk their duties. Child support is considered a right of the child, not just an obligation of the parent, meaning the courts will go to great lengths to ensure that children receive the support they are entitled to.

Can’t make your payments? Ask for help.

If you’re struggling with child support payments, the right course of action is to seek a modification through the courts, not to concoct some illegal scheme. Georgia courts can modify support obligations if there’s a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss or medical issues, but they won’t take kindly to any attempts to game the system.

So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re thinking about pulling a Jesse Kipf to avoid paying child support, don’t. It’s not worth the risk, and it certainly won’t work. Instead, consult with an attorney to explore legal avenues for modifying your payments if you’re facing difficulties. Trying to deceive the system will only end in disaster—just ask Kipf.

At Resurgens Legal Counsel, we understand the complexities surrounding child support and are here to help you navigate your obligations the right way. If you need assistance with a child support issue, give us a call or schedule a consultation through our website to schedule a consultation today. We promise to offer sound legal advice—no death certificates required.