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 guidance from one of our knowledgeable family law attorneys can help alleviate some of your stress, ensure you are treated fairly, and that your children get what they need. Learn more about how a skilled Douglasville child support lawyer could help your specific case by calling today.
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
Determining child support can be a daunting and very emotional task. The child support lawyers at our office in Douglasville can help establish a reasonable child support obligation and ensure your child receives the financial support they deserve.
The general rule is that a parent cannot seek a modification of child support (upward or downward) until two years after the original order establishing child support was entered, however, there are exceptions. An order awarding child support can be modified upon a showing of a substantial change in either parent’s finances or in the needs of the child(ren). There are other factors that could warrant a modification in child support such as a change in the child’s needs, disability of a parent that affects their ability to work, and a change in custody.
Divorce and custody battles are hard, but we can help you make the best decisions regarding the financial support of your children. Discuss your case with a Douglasville child support lawyer at our firm and let us help you find the best solution for you and your children. Contact the loyal team of attorneys at Bardley McKnight Law now to get started.
Arrange a Consultation Today
