Georgia Child Support Calculator
Estimate your potential child support payments based on the official Georgia Child Support Guidelines (O.C.G.A. §19-6-15).
Enter the total monthly income before taxes.
Enter the total monthly income before taxes.
The number of children for whom support is being calculated.
Enter the amount paid monthly for the child(ren)’s health insurance only.
Enter the necessary costs for childcare while the parent is working.
Income Contribution Comparison
What is the Georgia Child Support Calculator?
The Georgia Child Support Calculator is a tool designed to estimate the amount of child support one parent may owe to the other. It’s based on Georgia’s “Income Shares Model,” which is the legal framework established under O.C.G.A. §19-6-15. The core principle of this model is that children should receive the same proportion of parental income as they would have if the parents lived together. The calculator combines both parents’ gross incomes to determine a basic child support obligation, which is then divided between the parents based on their respective shares of the total income. This tool is widely used by judges, lawyers, and parents to arrive at a fair and state-compliant child support amount.
Georgia Child Support Formula and Explanation
The calculation follows a specific legal formula. While our tool automates this process, understanding the steps can provide clarity.
- Calculate Combined Adjusted Gross Income: The monthly gross incomes of both the custodial and non-custodial parents are added together. Gross income includes salary, wages, commissions, bonuses, and other sources before taxes and deductions.
- Determine the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO): This combined income is then referenced in the state’s official Basic Child Support Obligation table. The table provides a presumptive amount needed to care for the number of children at that specific income level.
- Add Additional Expenses: Costs for the children’s health insurance premiums and necessary work-related childcare are added to the BCSO. The sum is the Total Child Support Obligation.
- Prorate the Obligation: Each parent’s percentage of the combined income is calculated. The non-custodial parent’s obligation is their percentage of the Total Child Support Obligation.
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Gross Income | Each parent’s total income before taxes | USD ($) | $1,000 – $30,000+ / month |
| Number of Children | The number of minor children shared by the parents | Count | 1 – 6 |
| Health Insurance Premium | The monthly cost for the child(ren)’s health insurance | USD ($) | $0 – $500+ |
| Childcare Costs | Work-related monthly childcare expenses | USD ($) | $0 – $1,500+ |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Average Income Scenario
- Custodial Parent’s Income: $3,500/month
- Non-Custodial Parent’s Income: $5,000/month
- Number of Children: 2
- Health Insurance Premium: $250/month
- Childcare Costs: $600/month
- Calculation: The combined income is $8,500. The BCSO for two children at this income is approximately $1,537. Adding expenses gives a total obligation of $2,387. The non-custodial parent, earning ~58.8% of the income, would have a presumed obligation of around **$1,404 per month**.
Example 2: Higher Income Scenario
- Custodial Parent’s Income: $6,000/month
- Non-Custodial Parent’s Income: $10,000/month
- Number of Children: 1
- Health Insurance Premium: $150/month
- Childcare Costs: $0/month
- Calculation: The combined income is $16,000. The BCSO for one child is approximately $1,749. Adding insurance gives a total obligation of $1,899. The non-custodial parent, earning 62.5% of the income, would have a presumed obligation of around **$1,187 per month**.
How to Use This Georgia Child Support Calculator
Our calculator simplifies the estimation process into a few easy steps:
- Enter Incomes: Input the gross monthly income (before taxes) for both the custodial and non-custodial parents.
- Select Number of Children: Use the dropdown to choose the number of children for whom support is being determined.
- Add Expenses: Input any monthly amounts paid for the children’s health insurance premiums and necessary work-related childcare.
- Calculate: Click the “Calculate” button to see the results. The calculator will display the presumed monthly child support payment, along with key intermediate values that were part of the calculation. For more insights on the legal process, you can understand child custody in Georgia.
Key Factors That Affect Georgia Child Support
While the calculator provides a baseline, a judge can deviate from the guideline amount based on several factors.
- Each Parent’s Income: This is the primary factor. The court evaluates the gross income of both parents to establish the initial obligation.
- Parenting Time: While the non-custodial parent typically pays, significant parenting time exercised by that parent may be grounds for a downward deviation in the support amount.
- Low or High Income: The court can adjust the obligation if a parent’s income is exceptionally low (e.g., under $1,850/month) or high (e.g., combined income over $30,000/month).
- Health and Childcare Costs: These are mandatory additions to the basic calculation and can significantly increase the total support obligation.
- Pre-existing Child Support Orders: If a parent is already paying support for children from another relationship, that amount can be deducted from their gross income for the current calculation.
- Other Children in the Home: A parent supporting other biological children in their home may receive a credit that reduces their gross income for calculation purposes.
Navigating these factors can be complex. Consulting with an expert who knows the new child support guidelines in GA is often a wise step.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is this calculator’s result the final child support amount?
No. This calculator provides an *estimate* of the presumptive amount based on the statutory guidelines. A judge has the final authority to issue a child support order, which may be higher or lower after considering specific deviations.
2. What is included in “gross income”?
Gross income includes nearly all sources of income, such as salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, retirement or disability payments, and unemployment benefits. It does not typically include welfare or TANF benefits.
3. What if a parent is unemployed or hiding income?
If a court finds a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid paying support, it can “impute” income to them. This means the court will calculate support based on what that parent *could* be earning based on their education, work history, and job opportunities.
4. How are health insurance and childcare costs handled?
The costs for the children’s portion of health insurance and necessary work-related childcare are added on top of the Basic Child Support Obligation and are prorated between the parents based on their income share.
5. Can child support be modified?
Yes. A parent can petition the court to modify a child support order if there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances, such as a significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income or a change in the child’s needs. Exploring a child support modification is a common legal action.
6. For how long is child support paid in Georgia?
Child support typically continues until the child turns 18, dies, marries, or becomes otherwise emancipated. If the child is still attending high school full-time when they turn 18, support may continue until they graduate or turn 20, whichever comes first.
7. What is the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) Table?
It’s a schedule provided by the State of Georgia that specifies the presumptive amount of money required to raise a certain number of children based on the parents’ combined monthly income. You can find more information from Georgia Legal Aid resources.
8. Does this calculator account for split or joint custody?
This calculator is designed for a standard scenario where one parent is the primary physical custodian. The calculations for joint or split physical custody are more complex and may result in different outcomes. These situations are often best handled with legal assistance.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
For more information on family law and financial planning, please see our other resources:
- Understanding Child Custody in Georgia: Learn about the differences between legal and physical custody.
- New GA Child Support Guidelines: Stay updated on the latest changes to the law.
- How to File for a Child Support Modification: A step-by-step guide to changing your current support order.