Both parents share a legal duty to support their children. Child support is meant to cover a child’s basic needs and help keep life stable after a divorce, separation, or paternity case. Child support helps to ensure the costs of rearing a child are divided equally among both parents.
If you need to set, modify, or enforce child support in Macon or Middle Georgia, our team can help you understand your options and take the next step. Call our Macon family law attorneys at (478) 239-2780 to schedule a consultation.
Quick Answer
Georgia child support is generally calculated using a guideline worksheet based on both parents’ incomes and certain case factors. The guideline amount can sometimes be adjusted through allowed deviations, depending on the facts.
In Georgia, child support can be mandated regardless of whether the child’s parents were ever married.
Child support is typically paid by the parent who does not have primary physical custody on behalf of their child or children, but every case is different.
Normally, child support is paid in monthly or bi-monthly installments until the child turns 18 years of age. Although child support payments are paid to the parent who has primary physical custody, child support is the right of the child and is to be used solely for the benefit of the child or children.
Child support orders usually address:
Child support is usually established in one of these situations:
Divorce or separation: Support is addressed as part of the divorce case.
Paternity or legitimation cases: Support may be set after parentage is established.
Support-only cases: In some situations, a parent may pursue support even when there is no divorce case.
If you are not sure which path applies, talk with a Macon child support lawyer. Call (478) 239-2780.
If you were never married, support may be connected to issues like legitimation. Learn more about this on our Macon legitimation lawyer page.
In Georgia, child support is based upon the income of both parents, along with several other factors that affect the child’s needs and the ability of both parents to meet those needs. A child support worksheet is used to enter the financial information of both parents to calculate the amount of child support according to Georgia’s child support guidelines and formula.
Georgia’s child support worksheets provide the guidelines that establish the minimum amount of child support for a particular case.
The official child support calculator produces a worksheet and schedules that are commonly filed with the court.
What affects child support:
In some cases, the guideline amount may be adjusted based on allowed deviations and the child’s best interests. Deviations are fact-specific and must be supported by the court record.
A key component is whether the deviation is considered reasonable. Additionally, any deviation must be considered in the best interests of the child. However, a parent may not take credit for voluntary expenditures for toys, gifts, food, clothing, shelter or other necessities and may not make payment directly to the minor child.
Child support can often be changed when circumstances change, such as:
If you believe your current order is no longer fair or workable, we can help you review your options.
If support is not being paid as ordered, enforcement options may be available. The right approach depends on the court order and the payment history.
We serve clients in Macon and across Middle Georgia. If you need help with child support, you can schedule an in-person or remote consultation.
Brodie Law Group
Address: 4580 Sheraton Dr, Macon, GA 31210
Phone: (478) 239-2780
Bibb County Superior Court
Address: 601 Mulberry Street, Suite 216
Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 621-6527
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
Georgia uses a guideline worksheet based on both parents’ incomes and certain factors like insurance and childcare. The guideline amount can sometimes be adjusted based on allowed deviations.
Can child support be ordered if parents were never married?
Yes. Child support can be ordered in cases involving parents who were never married, often after legitimation is legally established.
Can child support be modified after an order is entered?
Sometimes. Modifications depend on the facts and what has changed since the last order.
How long does child support last in Georgia?
Many orders last until the child turns 18, but there can be exceptions depending on the situation and the order.
Does paying child support guarantee visitation?
No. Child support and parenting time are handled separately. If you need a parenting time order, custody and parenting plan issues must be addressed through the proper court process.
What if the other parent is not paying child support?
If there is a valid court order, enforcement options may be available. The best approach depends on the order and payment history.
If you need to set child support, change an existing order, or enforce support that is not being paid, we can help you understand your options and move forward with a plan. Call the attorneys at the Brodie Law Group at (478) 239-2780 to learn more about setting, modifying or enforcing child support payments.
