Georgia Department of Human Resources v. Sweat

Summary

The court reversed the trial court's declaration that Georgia's child-support guidelines violated substantive due process, equal protection, privacy, and the takings clause. Applying rational-basis review, the court held that the guidelines reasonably further the state's legitimate interest in ensuring adequate support for children and do not infringe a protected privacy or property interest. The court also reversed the order requiring the state to provide a free transcript because the factual basis for that order was absent and no authority supported free appellate transcription in a civil case.