Child support can be a difficult thing to manage, simply because it’s not always a clear-cut situation anymore.

That’s because in 2007, when there was an overhaul of Georgia’s child support laws, no longer was child support figured out solely by the income of the non-custodial parent.

Now, the child support laws in Georgia are a little bit different, and they take into account numerous factors such as the monthly gross income of both the custodial and noncustodial parent, any prior child support orders, work-related child care costs, health insurance premiums for the child (or children), and more.

If you’re going through a divorce, custody battle, or are simply looking for child support help in Atlanta , the Fairell Firm can help. Our dedicated family law attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated when it comes to fighting for the rights of all of our clients.

Because every case is unique and different, we never take a cookie-cutter approach when it comes to Atlanta family law. That’s because we truly care about our clients, their well-being, and their situation.

With that being said, let’s take a look at a few common questions and answers with regards to child support laws in Georgia.

Simply put, the child support laws were implemented, and eventually overhauled, by the state of Georgia in order to ensure that both parents were responsible for providing care and support for their child or children in the event of a divorce or unmarried parental situation.

Typically, child support is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent on a regular, fixed basis. It could be bi-monthly or monthly, and typically these payments are allocated to help with the expenses (medical, educational, extra-curricular) incurred by raising a child.

As a reminder, the formula for child support calculations in Georgia changed as recently as 2007. That means if you have a child support order which dates back to pre-2007, you may want to consider looking into a modification of that order. That means the new laws could drastically decrease or increase the monthly amount that you should be paying or receiving, based on numerous factors.

Additionally, many factors may have changed over time — such as the needs of your child or your own income — which could factor into a new order.

With the newer Georgia child support laws, the income from both parents is considered when determining a payment amount, as well as any income from things like rental property, stocks, or other assets.

Then, the court will take into account the numerous expenses related to the child, such as work-related childcare expenses, medical insurance, and a whole lot more.

It’s not recommended that child support payments ever be made with cash. There are several reasons for this, but the most important is for documentation reasons. Child support payments should always be traceable, such as through a check or bank transfer, directly into the custodial parent’s account. That way, in the event of a dispute, it can be easy to prove that the order is being fulfilled.

In the state of Georgia, it may be the case where the amount is deducted directly from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck to make the process easier and to provide a traceable record.

If you are the custodial parent and have been awarded a child support order, you — and more importantly, your child or children — are entitled to certain rights. If the non-custodial parent is skimping on payments, or if you haven’t received payments for an extended period, then it might be worthwhile to file a contempt of court action. This can result in fines, or even jail time, for the non-custodial parent in more serious cases. Consult with your Atlanta family law attorney in this case.

You can’t underestimate the power of having quality representation on your side in the event of a child support dispute. Whether you have a child support order that is not being followed, or you feel that you’ve been unjustly treated during the process, our family law attorneys can help advocate on your behalf.

It’s important that the parental responsibilities and financial obligations are equally split during this difficult time. A stalwart family law expert can aid with this process, providing legal aid and representation throughout the proceedings in order to ensure that the financial compensation is allocated for both you and your child/children.

Our goal is to ensure a positive and favorable resolution, while tending to your needs with a level of quality and care that is unmatched when it comes to family law firms in Atlanta.

Call the Fairell Firm today to learn more about child support laws in Georgia or to schedule your initial consultation.