Child Support

No matter how difficult going through a divorce or custody battle can be, you want the best for your children. Making sure your children are adequately taken care of enjoy a certain standard of living is an important part of ensuring their happiness and well-being.

Oftentimes, child support is the most contentious aspect of a divorce or custody case.

Having experienced guidance from one of our attorneys can help alleviate some of your stress, ensure you are treated fairly, and that your children get what they need.

Child support is calculated pursuant to the Georgia Child Support Statutory Guidelines. Judges can deviate from the guidelines by increasing or decreasing the guideline amount according to the needs of the children and circumstances of the parents.

Georgia law requires both parents to financially support their children until they reach the age of 18, graduates from high school, marries, dies, emancipates or joins the military. Child support can extend past the age of 18 if a child is still in high school.

Once a standard amount has been established, the child support can be adjusted by factors such as health insurance premium cost for the children and work or education related childcare cost. Deviations to child support can also be considered. There are usually upward and downward deviations such as parenting time, extraordinary medical expenses, travel expenses, tax credits and more that can affect the child support obligation.

The number of children that are to receive child support is also taken into consideration. If either parent has previous child support obligations to other children, the calculation of child support will consider any ongoing child support obligations

Child support can be a daunting and very emotional. The attorneys at Bardley McKnight Law can help establish a reasonable child support obligation and ensure your child receives the financial support they deserve.

Divorce and custody battles are hard, but we can help you make the best decisions regarding the financial support of your children.

Contact Bardley McKnight Law at (470) 308-5409 to schedule a consultation.

FAQs about Georgia child support laws.

Q: Who is responsible for paying child support?
A: Child support is paid by the non-custodial parent to help cover the cost of raising the children.

Q: Who receives the child support payments?
A: While payments are frequently made directly to the custodial parent, the court may order that they be sent to a specified state agency.

Q: Is child support available if I am not married to the parent of my child?
A: Yes, once paternity is established or Legitimation has been completed.

Q: How old does the child have to be before child support ends?
A: 18, unless otherwise determined by the child support order, or the child is mentally or physically incapacitated, marries or joins the military. If the child is attending college or enrolled in a secondary school program, the age of termination is 21.

Q: Can I modify a child support payment amount?
A: You can make a request for modification, but only the court or the Division of Child Support Services can approve modification of court-ordered support.

Q: If the amount of child support is determined by the child support calculator, why do I need an attorney?
A: The child support calculator is used to estimate the amount of child support to be paid each month. There may be mandatory adjustments based on support being paid to other children, Social Security payments to children and the cost of health care, among others. Non-mandatory adjustments may include, for instance, extraordinary medical costs incurred by either a parent or a child, extraordinary educational expenses, job loss, or other support (such as payment of rent or mortgage). Legal counsel is highly recommended to guide you through the process.

Divorce is hard, but we can help you make the best decisions regarding the financial support of your children.

Call today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled Georgia child support lawyers

Let us discuss your case and help you find the best child support solution for you and your children. Contact Bardley McKnight Law today at (470) 308-5409.