Understanding Georgia Child Support Guidelines & How They Apply to Your Case
Child support is an important part of any divorce where children are involved. Whether you are the one paying the support, or receiving it, there are many factors involved in determining how much it will be, when it can be changed, and how long it will last. Whether you are currently going through a divorce and having a support order crafted for the first time, or you feel there is a need to have the child support adjusted, we are here to help.
In general, child support is calculated based on Georgia child support guidelines (O.C.G.A 19-6-15). The legal guidelines given to the judges, however, can be fairly flexible, and a lot is left to the opinion of the judge. This is why it is so important to have an attorney there to argue for your rights. When a judge is hearing a child support case, they will consider both the guidelines, and the specifics of the case they are hearing. These combined factors are then evaluated and the judge will issue an order based on the best interests of the children. Some case specific factors that are typically considered include:
- The age of the children
- The income of each parent
- Existence of children from other relationships
- Child custody arrangements
- Special needs
With each case being unique, and child support orders often lasting for many years, you want to be sure that your case is handled by an attorney with lots of experience. We have helped many people in and around Atlanta with all types of child support cases, and we would be honored to help you too. Please contact us to discuss your options and determine what the best next steps will be.