Georgia Child Support Laws: Guidelines and Calculations

Quick Summary: Georgia Child Support

• Model Used: Income Shares Model
• Governing Law: O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 (updated effective January 1, 2026, via Senate Bill 454)
• Support Ends: Age 18, or age 20 if still enrolled in secondary school (graduation ends the obligation regardless of age)
• Modification Limit: One modification request every two years, with exceptions
• Interest on Arrears: 7% per year
• Statute of Limitations on Enforcement: None under O.C.G.A. 9-12-60(d)
• Official Calculator: Georgia Child Support Commission Calculator
• Apply for Services: Georgia DCSS Application

2026 Changes to Georgia Child Support Law

Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 454 into law in May 2024. The changes took effect on January 1, 2026, representing the first major revision to Georgia's child support guidelines since 2007. Three key changes reshaped how child support is calculated in Georgia.

Mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment

Before 2026, courts could grant a discretionary "parenting time deviation" to reduce child support for noncustodial parents who spent significant time with their children. That system was inconsistent. Different judges applied it differently, and many parents received no credit at all.

Under the new O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(g), the parenting time adjustment is now mandatory whenever a custody or visitation order includes court-ordered parenting time. The formula uses a mathematical calculation that raises parenting days to the power of 2.5, assigning a specific dollar value to the time each parent spends with the child.

This means noncustodial parents who spend more time with their children will see a measurable reduction in their child support obligation. The noncustodial parent must have 182.5 or fewer parenting days per year for this adjustment to apply. The Georgia Child Support Commission's Parenting Time Formula Tool automates this calculation.

Mandatory Low-Income Adjustment

Before 2026, Georgia used a discretionary low-income deviation. Courts could, but were not required to, reduce child support for parents earning below certain thresholds. The new law replaces that discretion with a mandatory low-income adjustment under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(p).

Parents earning below specified thresholds now receive automatic support reductions through formula calculations. This standardizes support obligations for low-income parents and includes a self-support reserve to make sure the paying parent can still meet basic living needs.

Expanded Obligation Table

The Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table now covers combined parental incomes up to $40,000 per month ($480,000 annually). The previous table capped at $30,000 per month. This expansion provides more standardized calculations for high-income families who previously relied on judicial discretion for amounts above the table.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Georgia

Georgia's child support calculation under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 follows a step-by-step process using the income shares model. This model assumes that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together.

Step 1: Calculate Gross Income for Each Parent

Georgia's definition of gross income is broad. It includes:

• Salary, wages, and overtime
• Commissions and bonuses
• Self-employment income (minus one-half of self-employment taxes)
• Rental property income
• Severance pay and pension income
• Capital gains
• Unemployment benefits
• Workers' compensation
• Social Security benefits
• Gifts and prizes (if recurring)

Step 2: Determine Adjusted Gross Income

Subtract allowable deductions from each parent's gross income. Deductions include:

• One-half of self-employment taxes
• Preexisting child support orders actually being paid
• Court-ordered alimony payments to a former spouse
• Certain expenses for children from previous relationships living with the parent

Step 3: Add Both Parents' Adjusted Gross Incomes

Combine both adjusted gross incomes to get the combined adjusted gross income. This total determines which row of the BCSO table applies.

Step 4: Find the Basic Child Support Obligation

Using the BCSO table, locate the figure closest to the combined adjusted gross income in the left column. Then find the number of children in the top row. The intersection gives the basic child support obligation.

If the combined income falls between amounts in the table, the court uses the bracket that most closely matches.

Step 5: Calculate Each Parent's Pro Rata Share

Divide each parent's adjusted gross income by the combined total. The resulting percentage determines each parent's share of the obligation. For example, if Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, they are responsible for 60% of the basic obligation.

Step 6: Apply Adjustments

Add costs for health insurance premiums paid for the child, work-related childcare expenses, and extraordinary medical or educational expenses. Then apply the mandatory parenting time adjustment (effective 2026) and low-income adjustment if applicable.

Step 7: Determine the Final Obligation

The noncustodial parent's final obligation is their pro rata share of the total, minus any credits for adjustments. This is the amount they pay to the custodial parent.

Imputed Income for Unemployed or Underemployed Parents

Georgia courts can assign income to a parent who is willfully or voluntarily unemployed or underemployed under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(f)(4). This is called "imputed income."

When deciding whether to impute income, the court examines the parent's reasons for their occupational choices and whether those choices are reasonable given their obligation to support their child. Factors the court considers include:

• The parent's educational level and previous work experience
• Assets and residence
• Employment and earnings history
• Job skills, literacy, age, and health
• Criminal record and other employment barriers
• Record of seeking work
• Local job market conditions and prevailing wages

There are important exceptions. Courts will not impute income to a parent who is activated for military service, drafted, or enlisted full-time in the armed forces. Courts also will not make this determination when a parent's incarceration prevents employment.

Deviations from the Guidelines

Even after applying all adjustments, a court can order an amount different from the calculated figure. This is called a "deviation." Georgia law permits deviations when applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. Factors that may support a deviation include:

• Unusual travel expenses for visitation
• Mortgage payments on the marital home that benefit the child
• Parenting time significantly different from standard arrangements
• Life insurance premiums for the child's benefit
• High or low parental income situations not fully addressed by the table
• Health-related insurance costs beyond basic coverage
• Extraordinary educational expenses (such as private school or tutoring)
• Special needs of the child
• Alimony payments

Impact of Remarriage

Remarriage does not directly affect child support in Georgia. A new spouse's income is only considered in unusual circumstances, such as when a parent no longer needs to work due to the new spouse's earnings. However, if a new spouse's income covers all household expenses, the court may consider that the parent has more disposable income available for support.

How to Modify a Child Support Order in Georgia

Georgia limits modification requests to prevent constant litigation. The general rules are:

• Two-year rule: A parent may not request modification more than once every two years.
• Exceptions: Modification can be requested sooner if there is a significant change in parenting time or a substantial involuntary reduction in income.

Grounds for Modification

Either parent can file for modification based on:

• A substantial change in either parent's financial circumstances (job loss, raise, disability)
• A change in the child's needs (medical condition, educational requirements)
• A perceived unfairness in the current order based on updated calculations
• The noncustodial parent's failure to exercise court-ordered visitation

To support a modification request, gather current income records, changed expenses, medical documentation (if applicable), and any evidence of the other parent's current financial situation.

When Does Child Support End in Georgia?

Georgia child support obligations end when the child:

• Turns 18 and has graduated from secondary school
• Turns 20 (if still enrolled in secondary school, though graduation ends the obligation at any age)
• Becomes legally emancipated
• Marries
• Dies

The court may also order continued support past age 18 for a child enrolled in and attending secondary school, provided the order was entered on or after July 1, 1992. This extended obligation cannot continue past age 20 under any circumstances.

Emancipation in Georgia

A minor can become emancipated in Georgia by:

• Legally marrying
• Joining the military
• Petitioning the court and demonstrating financial independence and the ability to manage their own affairs

The minor may request sworn statements from professionals (attorneys, clergy, school officials, therapists) to support the emancipation petition.

Georgia has a unique provision: emancipated minors can petition to reverse their emancipation if they resume a family relationship with their parents, if parents agree to rescind the order, or if they can no longer support themselves.

What Happens if You Do Not Pay Child Support in Georgia

Georgia takes child support enforcement seriously. The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and the courts have multiple tools to collect unpaid support. Under O.C.G.A. 15-11-96, a court can terminate parental rights if a parent willfully fails to comply with a support order for 12 months or longer.

Enforcement Methods

Method	Details
Income Withholding	Wages, unemployment benefits, and workers' compensation garnished directly from the employer or payor
Contempt of Court	Willful nonpayment can result in fines, jail time, or both; the obligation continues during incarceration
License Suspension	Driver's, professional, business, and recreational licenses can be suspended or revoked
Property Liens	Filed against real estate through a Writ of Fieri Facias
Tax Refund Interception	Both state and federal refunds can be intercepted
Bank Account Garnishment	Available when payments are 30 or more days behind
Credit Bureau Reporting	Delinquent support is reported, damaging the parent's credit score
Passport Denial	Under 42 U.S.C. 652(k), the State Department will deny or revoke a passport for anyone owing more than $2,500 in arrears

Interest on Arrears

Georgia charges 7% annual interest on unpaid child support under O.C.G.A. 7-4-12.1. Failure to pay for 30 days is considered delinquent. Arrears cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. There is no statute of limitations on enforcement of child support judgments under O.C.G.A. 9-12-60(d).

Termination of Parental Rights

Beyond nonpayment, parental rights may be terminated if:

• The court finds misconduct or inability to care for the child
• The parent is convicted of murdering the child's other parent
• The parent consents in writing
• The child is abandoned

If parental rights are terminated, the parent loses all rights to notice of proceedings regarding the child and all custody and visitation rights.

How to Apply for Child Support Services in Georgia

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides assistance with locating absent parents, establishing paternity, obtaining child support orders, and enforcing existing orders.

To apply, visit the DCSS online application or contact the DCSS Communications Center at 1-877-423-4746 (1-877-GADHSGO).

Services available through DCSS include:

• Parent location services
• Paternity establishment
• Support order establishment
• Order modification assistance
• Payment collection and distribution
• Enforcement of support orders across state lines through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)

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