Child Support

Gwinnett Child Support Attorneys

Georgia uses an income-shares model to determine the amount of child support. Basically what that means is that a base child support amount is initially determined according to the total income of both parents, which amount is then allocated to each parent by virtue of that parent’s share of the total income. Then that amount is adjusted for other expenses and special circumstances. The court will consider the existence of special circumstances and may adjust child support (up or down) based on:

• Ages of the children,
• A child's extraordinary medical costs or needs, in addition to accident and sickness insurance, provided that all such costs or needs shall be considered if no insurance is available,
• Educational costs,
• Day-care costs,
• Shared physical custody arrangements, including extended visitation,
• A party’s other support obligations to another household,
• Income that should be imputed to a party because of suppression of income,
• In-kind income for the self-employed, such as reimbursed meals or a company car,
• Other support a party is providing or will be providing, such as payment of a mortgage,
• A party’s own extraordinary needs, such as medical expenses,
• Extreme economic circumstances including but not limited to, unusually high debt structure or unusually high income of either party or both parties, which shall be construed as individual gross income of over $75,000.00 per annum,
• Historical spending in the family for children which varies significantly from the percentage table,
• Considerations of the economic cost-of-living factors of the community of each party,
• In-kind contribution of either parent,
• The income of the custodial parent,
• The cost of accident and sickness insurance coverage for dependent children included in the order,
• Extraordinary travel expenses to exercise visitation or shared physical custody,
• Any other factor which the trier of fact deems to be required by the ends of justice.

Child support continues until the child becomes 18 years of age, dies, marries, or otherwise becomes emancipated, except that if the child becomes 18 years of age while enrolled in and attending secondary school on a full-time basis, then such support shall continue until the child completes secondary school, provided that such support shall not be required after the child attains 20 years of age. A non-custodial parent may be ordered to provide insurance for the child or children for so long as he or she is obligated to pay child support.

Modification of Child Support

Child support may be modified, up or down, whenever there is a substantial change in income or financial circumstances of either party, or the needs of the children. A modification action may be filed by either party at any time after the divorce or initial final order of support. Another modification action may not be filed by the same party until 2 years have passed from the previous final order on modification, regardless of the outcome.

Trust Experienced and Dedicated Gwinnett Child Support Attorneys

Calculating proper child support is a complicated and arduous task. Whether you are seeking or asked to pay child support, or looking to modify an existing child support order, you need competent and experienced legal representation throughout this process.

Call the experienced attorneys of Brown & Gill, llc to help you through this complicated process. (770) 825-0115.