Georgia Child Support Guidelines

When parents get divorced, there are issues that demand their attention. Two of the most important are child custody and child support. Depending on whether you’re a custodial or non-custodial parent, the court may order you to make or receive child support payments.

In some instances, parents agree on child support and don’t need to go to court. Other times, when parents disagree on child support obligations, the only option is to let a family law judge decide. The Georgia courts use child support guidelines to determine the amount of child support due to the custodial parent.

This article explains how Georgia’s child support laws impact your ability to care for your children. It also discusses how the child support calculator works to determine a parent’s child support obligation. Finally, it describes he factors impacting each child support case.

How To Begin the Child Support Process

To begin the child support process, one must contact the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services. You can do this online or in person at your local child support office.

There's a fee of $25 for submitting an application to the DCSS. Along with the application, you must provide the office with the following information:

• Non-custodial parent’s (NCP) name and contact information
• The NCP’s employment information
• Confirm if you have already established paternity

If the parents disagree on the amount of child support, a judge will review their case and determine whether either parent owes child support and how much support should be paid. The judge will then enter a child support order.

Another way to start the child support process is to hire a family law attorney or contact your local legal aid provider. This often involves filing a private lawsuit against the other parent.

Unless the parties agree that the NCP will pay support directly to the custodial parent, the NCP must set up their payments through DCSS. If they don’t make their payments on time, the parent receiving support can file a motion for enforcement.

What Guidelines Will the Judge Follow To Determine Child Support in Georgia?

Federal law requires that every state publish its child support guidelines at least once every four years. The State of Georgia follows child support guidelines established under state law.

Georgia’s child support guidelines consider a parent's income and other financial obligations when determining the amount of support. The courts use an income-sharing model to determine how much child support the parties will pay or receive.

This approach ensures that the child support order serves the best interests of the child. Children should enjoy the same proportion of their parents' income regardless of whether they are together or divorced.

Factors Georgia Courts Consider When Determining Child Support

Determining child support is straightforward. To start, either a court clerk or a judge determines the gross income of both parents and runs the numbers through a support calculator.

The Georgia Family Law judge will then consider additional factors and enter the information into the child support worksheet. The worksheet relies on the number of children, parenting time, and any other relevant information.

Some of these factors include:

• Childcare costs and which parent will pay them
• The parents' monthly income
• Whether either parent receives social security or disability
• Parenting time
• The number of minor children
• Any unique needs of the child

Once the clerk or judge enters the necessary information into the worksheet, the computer program calculates the amount of child support the NCP must pay. The judge then signs a court order indicating the amount.

The program will provide the clerk with the presumptive child support. If the parties disagree with the results of the child support worksheet, they can ask the judge to reconsider.

Deviating From Georgia's Child Support Guidelines

The child support guidelines are just that - guidelines. A court may increase or decrease the child support order depending on the individual circumstances affecting each parent and the best interests of the child.

For deviations from the child support guidelines, some of the factors the court looks at include:

• High income of the parents (combined income is $40,000 per month)
• Low income of the non-custodial parent (earning between $18,600 to $47,400 annually)
• Health insurance
• Whether the parents have life insurance with the child as the beneficiary
• Childcare tax credit
• Veteran status of the NCP
• Travel expenses
• Alimony
• Self-employment income and expenses
• Mortgage
• Extraordinary expenses (medical or education)
• Actual parenting time

Georgia’s Child Support Laws at a Glance

The following table summarizes Georgia's Child Support laws. For deeper dives into specific topics, take a look at FindLaw's Child Custody, Child Support Modifications, and Child Support Enforcement articles.

Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, please consult a Georgia child support attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.

Additional Resources on Georgia’s Child Support Guidelines

• Georgia’s Basic Child Support Obligation Table
• Georgia Child Support Commission
• Georgia 2024 Senate Bill 454

Learn More About Georgia Child Support Guidelines From a Lawyer

Knowing the child support guidelines can give you a general overview of Georgia's child support laws. If you have questions about your situation or need help filing a motion to enforce child support, contact an experienced child support lawyer in Georgia today.