If you are going through a divorce or separation in Atlanta, GA, one of the first questions you probably have is how child support gets set. Georgia uses a specific formula to calculate the amount, and understanding the basics can help you prepare for what comes next.

The short answer is that Georgia follows an income shares model, which means both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the child would have received if the family stayed together. A judge then divides that estimated cost between the parents based on each one's share of the combined income.

This article explains how that process works in general terms. Every family's situation is different, so an attorney can confirm the rules that apply to your specific case.

What Is the Income Shares Model Georgia Uses?

Georgia's income shares model is built on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if both parents lived together. The state publishes a schedule of basic child support obligations that sets a starting dollar amount based on the combined adjusted gross income of both parents and the number of children involved.

Once the basic obligation is found on the schedule, each parent's share is calculated as a percentage of the total combined income. The parent who does not have primary physical custody typically pays their share directly to the other parent as a monthly support payment.

How Is Each Parent's Income Determined?

Georgia counts most sources of money as income when calculating child support. Courts look at a broad picture, not just a W-2 salary. The following types of income are generally included:

  • Wages, salaries, and tips
  • Self-employment and business income
  • Bonuses and commissions
  • Rental income
  • Social Security and disability benefits
  • Unemployment and workers' compensation benefits

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a Georgia court may impute income — meaning it assigns an income figure based on that parent's earning potential rather than what they actually earn. An attorney can explain how imputed income might apply in your Atlanta case.

What Adjustments Can Change the Basic Support Amount?

The number from the income schedule is only a starting point. Georgia law allows for several adjustments that can raise or lower the final child support order. There are two main categories: mandatory adjustments and discretionary deviations.

Mandatory adjustments that are always applied include things like:

  • The cost of the child's health insurance premiums
  • Work-related child care expenses
  • Existing court-ordered support obligations for other children

After mandatory adjustments, either parent can ask the court to consider a discretionary deviation. These are factors the judge may or may not accept based on the specific facts of the case.

What Are Discretionary Deviations in Georgia Child Support?

Discretionary deviations allow a judge to move the support amount up or down when applying the standard formula would be unfair or inappropriate. Georgia law lists specific grounds that qualify, and a parent must present evidence to support the requested deviation.

Common grounds for a deviation include:

  • Extraordinary medical or educational expenses for the child
  • A parent's low income that would make the standard amount a hardship
  • Parenting time that differs significantly from the standard arrangement
  • Travel costs required for parenting time
  • Special needs of the child

Judges in Atlanta, GA have discretion here, which means the outcome can vary. Having a family law attorney present your deviation request clearly can matter.

How Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support in Georgia?

The amount of time each parent spends with the child can affect the final support figure. When a non-custodial parent has substantial parenting time, the court may consider a deviation because that parent is directly covering more of the child's daily expenses during their parenting periods.

Georgia does not apply a purely automatic reduction based on overnight counts the way some other states do. Instead, parenting time is treated as one factor in the deviation analysis. An attorney can confirm how a specific custody schedule would likely be weighed under current Georgia guidelines.

Can a Child Support Order Be Modified Later?

A Georgia child support order can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Either parent can petition the court to review the amount. Courts generally consider changes such as:

  • A significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
  • A change in the child's health insurance or medical needs
  • A major change in the custody or parenting time arrangement

In many cases, Georgia law also allows a review after a set period of time even without proving a specific change. An attorney can review whether your situation qualifies for a modification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Georgia

Below are answers to four questions Atlanta parents often ask about how child support works in Georgia.

Does Georgia use a calculator to set child support?

Yes, Georgia provides an official Child Support Worksheet that parents and courts use to apply the income shares formula. The worksheet walks through each step, but an attorney can help you fill it out accurately.

What if the other parent hides income to lower their payment?

A court can impute income or subpoena financial records if there is evidence a parent is concealing earnings. A family law attorney in Atlanta can help you gather documentation and present it to the judge.

Is Georgia child support taxable income?

Child support payments are not taxable income for the recipient and are not tax-deductible for the paying parent under federal tax law. This is different from alimony, which has its own tax rules.

How long does child support last in Georgia?

In Georgia, child support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, but not past age 20. An attorney can confirm how this applies to your child's situation.

If you have questions about child support in Atlanta, GA or need help understanding how the formula applies to your family, FindCounselNow can connect you with an independent, licensed family law attorney for a free case review — at no obligation to you.