Georgia calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, which combines both parents' gross monthly incomes to determine a Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) from a standardized table. For 2026, the state implemented major changes: a mandatory parenting time adjustment that uses a mathematical formula instead of discretionary deviation, a new income cap of $40,000 per month ($480,000 annually), and automatic low-income adjustments. A parent earning $5,000 monthly with a co-parent earning $3,000 monthly would have a combined income of $8,000, with the higher earner responsible for 62.5% of the BCSO amount shown in the guidelines table.
Key Facts: Georgia Child Support
| Factor | Georgia Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model |
| Governing Statute | O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 |
| Income Cap (2026) | $40,000/month combined ($480,000/year) |
| DCSS Review Fee | $100 |
| Court Filing Fee | $200-$400 (varies by county) |
| Modification Waiting Period | 2 years minimum |
| Termination Age | 18 (or high school graduation, max age 20) |
| Official Calculator | csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov |
How the Georgia Child Support Calculator Works
The Georgia child support calculator determines monthly payment obligations by combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes and applying a percentage based on the number of children. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, Georgia courts require parents to complete a Child Support Worksheet that follows a specific 10-step process, producing a presumptive support amount that courts typically adopt unless deviation factors apply.
The Georgia Child Support Commission maintains the official online calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov. This tool incorporates all 2026 statutory changes, including the mandatory parenting time adjustment formula and the expanded income table covering combined incomes up to $40,000 monthly. Creating an account is free, and the system saves completed worksheets for future reference or court filing.
Step-by-Step Calculation Process
- Determine each parent's gross monthly income from all sources (wages, self-employment, investments, retirement, disability payments)
- Calculate adjusted gross income by subtracting preexisting child support obligations and self-employment taxes
- Add both parents' adjusted gross incomes to find the combined monthly income
- Locate the Basic Child Support Obligation on the guidelines table using combined income and number of children
- Calculate each parent's pro-rata share based on their percentage of combined income
- Add health insurance premiums paid for the children
- Add work-related childcare costs
- Apply the mandatory parenting time adjustment (new for 2026)
- Consider any applicable deviations with written court findings
- Determine final presumptive child support amount
Understanding Gross Income Under Georgia Law
Gross income for Georgia child support purposes includes all earned and unearned income before taxes and deductions under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(f). Georgia courts count salaries, wages, commissions, tips, bonuses, military pay, self-employment earnings, retirement benefits, disability payments, investment income, rental income, trust distributions, and prizes or winnings. The statute requires disclosure of all income sources regardless of whether they appear on tax returns.
Georgia law specifically excludes certain income types from gross income calculations. Child support received for children from another relationship does not count as gross income. Public assistance benefits including TANF, food stamps, PeachCare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are excluded. Benefits under Section 402(d) of the Social Security Act for disabled adult children and low-income heating assistance payments also fall outside the gross income definition.
Imputed Income Rules
Georgia courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. If a parent capable of earning $60,000 annually chooses to work part-time earning $25,000, the court may calculate support using the $60,000 imputed figure. Courts examine employment history, education, skills, local job market conditions, and any legitimate reasons for reduced employment such as caregiving responsibilities or health limitations.
2026 Changes to Georgia Child Support Laws
Georgia Senate Bill 454 brought four major changes to child support calculations effective January 1, 2026, fundamentally altering how courts determine support obligations. These changes apply to all new orders entered after the effective date and may warrant modification of existing orders.
Mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment
The most significant 2026 change replaces the discretionary parenting time deviation with a mandatory adjustment under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(g). The new formula raises parenting days to the power of 2.5 to calculate a specific dollar reduction for the noncustodial parent. A parent with 100 overnight visits annually receives a proportionally larger credit than under the previous system. This mathematical formula removes judicial discretion, creating more predictable outcomes for parents exercising substantial parenting time.
Expanded Income Table
The Basic Child Support Obligation table now covers combined monthly incomes up to $40,000 ($480,000 annually), increased from the previous $30,000 cap. This expansion reduces the need for high-income deviations when parents' combined earnings fall between $360,000 and $480,000 annually. For incomes exceeding $40,000 monthly, courts still apply discretionary high-income deviation analysis.
Low-Income Adjustment
Georgia replaced the low-income deviation with an automatic low-income adjustment for 2026. Previously, courts could deviate from presumptive support when a noncustodial parent's gross income fell at or below $1,850 monthly. The new adjustment applies automatically through the worksheet calculation, ensuring consistent treatment of low-income obligors while protecting children's basic needs.
New Child Support Worksheet Format
The Child Support Commission introduced a completely redesigned worksheet effective January 1, 2026. The new format incorporates the mandatory adjustments directly into the calculation flow rather than treating them as add-on deviations. Parents and attorneys using worksheets created before 2026 must transition to the updated format for any new filings.
The Basic Child Support Obligation Table
Georgia's BCSO table displays presumptive monthly support amounts based on combined parental income and number of children. The table published in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(o) provides amounts for combined incomes from $800 to $40,000 monthly.
Sample BCSO Amounts (2026)
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $385 | $547 | $633 |
| $4,000 | $673 | $960 | $1,112 |
| $6,000 | $900 | $1,293 | $1,502 |
| $8,000 | $1,095 | $1,583 | $1,844 |
| $10,000 | $1,270 | $1,844 | $2,154 |
| $15,000 | $1,695 | $2,487 | $2,919 |
| $20,000 | $2,094 | $3,091 | $3,643 |
These figures represent the total support obligation before adding health insurance and childcare costs. Each parent pays their proportionate share based on income percentage. A parent earning 65% of combined income pays 65% of the BCSO amount.
Health Insurance and Childcare Adjustments
Health insurance premiums paid for children constitute a mandatory addition to the basic support obligation under Schedule D of the Georgia worksheet. If a parent pays $400 monthly for family health coverage with $200 attributable to the children, that $200 adds to the BCSO before calculating each parent's pro-rata share. The parent actually paying the premium receives credit for their contribution.
Work-related childcare costs receive similar treatment. Georgia counts daycare, after-school care, and summer camp expenses necessary for a parent to work or attend job training. A parent paying $1,200 monthly for licensed daycare adds this amount to the BCSO calculation. Courts require verification of childcare expenses and may adjust amounts if costs appear excessive for the geographic area.
Vision and Dental Insurance
Unlike basic health insurance, vision and dental coverage for children falls under the discretionary deviation category rather than mandatory addition. Courts may increase the presumptive support amount to cover these premiums if available at reasonable cost. The distinction matters because deviations require written findings of fact while mandatory additions apply automatically.
Permissible Deviations from Presumptive Support
Georgia permits courts to deviate from presumptive child support when specific circumstances justify departure. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i), any deviation requires written findings explaining why the presumptive amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Courts must document the presumptive amount, the deviation amount, and the reasons supporting departure.
Common Deviation Categories
High Income: When combined income exceeds $40,000 monthly, courts apply discretionary analysis to determine appropriate support above the table maximum
Travel Expenses: Long-distance parenting arrangements may justify deviation to cover transportation costs for visitation
Mortgage: A parent providing housing for the child at cost exceeding typical rental rates may receive deviation credit
Extraordinary Expenses: Special educational needs, competitive athletics, or medical costs exceeding 7% of the BCSO qualify for deviation consideration
Alimony: Spousal support payments between the same parties affect available income and may justify deviation
Life Insurance: Courts may deviate upward to secure support obligations through insurance premiums
Using the Official Georgia Calculator
The Georgia Child Support Commission calculator produces court-ready worksheets that satisfy filing requirements. Creating an account requires an email address and takes approximately 5 minutes. The system walks users through each calculation step, requesting income documentation and expense verification at appropriate points.
To access the calculator, visit csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov and click the signup button. After creating login credentials, select the Worksheet dropdown menu to create a new calculation. The system prompts for both parents' income information, number of children, parenting time schedule, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. Completed worksheets can be printed or downloaded as PDF files for court filing.
Common Calculator Mistakes to Avoid
Using net income instead of gross income produces inaccurate results. Georgia requires gross income before any deductions except preexisting child support and self-employment taxes
Omitting income sources triggers court scrutiny and potential modification. Include all sources even if you believe they should not count
Incorrect parenting time entries affect the mandatory adjustment calculation. Count actual overnight visits rather than court-ordered minimums if your practice differs
Failing to update health insurance costs after open enrollment leads to outdated worksheets. Verify current premium amounts before filing
When Child Support Ends in Georgia
Georgia child support terminates when a child reaches age 18 or graduates from secondary school, whichever occurs later, but never beyond age 20. A child turning 18 in January but graduating high school in May continues receiving support through graduation. Support obligations do not automatically terminate; the paying parent must obtain a court order modifying or terminating the obligation.
Emancipation events end support obligations early. Marriage, active military service, or legal emancipation before age 18 terminates the support duty. However, the paying parent must still petition the court to formally end the obligation rather than simply stopping payments.
Adult Dependent Children
Georgia law changed on July 1, 2024 to permit support for dependent adult children. An unmarried individual age 18 or older who cannot support themselves due to physical or mental incapacity that began before majority may receive continued support. This provision addresses situations where adult children require ongoing care due to developmental disabilities or severe mental illness.
College Expenses
Georgia courts cannot order parents to pay college expenses or continue support past the termination age for post-secondary education. Unlike some states that extend support through college, Georgia limits court authority to the statutory termination points. Parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to college costs, but such agreements require explicit contract terms rather than court orders.
Modifying Child Support in Georgia
Georgia permits child support modification petitions no more than once every two years unless substantial change in circumstances justifies earlier review. A parent seeking modification must demonstrate material change in income, childcare costs, health insurance expenses, or parenting time. The 2026 parenting time adjustment changes create potential modification grounds for parents currently exercising substantial custody under pre-2026 orders.
The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) offers administrative review and modification services for a $100 fee under O.C.G.A. § 19-11-12(g). Parents receiving certain public assistance or meeting low-income thresholds may qualify for fee waiver. The DCSS review process typically takes 45-90 days and may resolve modification requests without court filing.
Private modification petitions filed directly with the Superior Court require payment of filing fees ranging from $200 to $400 depending on the county. The petition must be filed in the county where the other parent resides. Local court rules and procedures vary, so checking with the specific clerk's office before filing ensures compliance with county requirements.
Filing Fees and Court Costs
Georgia Superior Court filing fees for child support matters range from $200 to $400 depending on the county. Fulton County charges different amounts than rural counties, and fees may change annually. Service of process adds $50 to $100 whether using the sheriff or private process server. Subsequent motions during the case typically cost $20 to $100 per filing. Certified copies of final orders run $10 to $20 per document.
Parents unable to afford court fees may request a fee waiver by demonstrating household income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines. The court provides an indigency affidavit form for this purpose. Approval waives filing fees but not service costs or other incidental expenses.
As of March 2026, verify current fees with your local Superior Court clerk's office before filing, as amounts change periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
Georgia calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, combining both parents' gross monthly incomes to find a Basic Child Support Obligation from the guidelines table. Each parent pays their percentage of the BCSO based on their share of combined income. Health insurance and childcare costs add to the base amount before applying the mandatory parenting time adjustment effective January 1, 2026.
What income counts for Georgia child support?
Georgia counts all earned and unearned income before taxes including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, rental income, investment returns, retirement benefits, disability payments, and prizes. Child support received for other children, public assistance (TANF, food stamps, SSI), and low-income energy assistance are excluded. Courts may impute income to voluntarily unemployed parents based on earning capacity.
What changed in Georgia child support law for 2026?
Four major changes took effect January 1, 2026 under Senate Bill 454: (1) mandatory parenting time adjustment replacing discretionary deviation, (2) income table expansion to $40,000 monthly combined income, (3) automatic low-income adjustment replacing deviation, and (4) new worksheet format incorporating adjustments directly. Parents with existing orders may seek modification to benefit from the new parenting time calculation.
How much does it cost to file for child support in Georgia?
Georgia Superior Court filing fees range from $200 to $400 depending on the county, plus $50 to $100 for service of process. The DCSS administrative review process costs $100, waived for low-income parents. Additional motions during proceedings cost $20 to $100 each. Fee waivers are available for parents with household income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.
Can I use the child support calculator for modification?
Yes, the official Georgia Child Support Commission calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov produces worksheets acceptable for modification filings. Run calculations using current income and expenses to compare with your existing order. Georgia permits modification petitions every two years or sooner with substantial change in circumstances. The 2026 parenting time adjustment may justify earlier modification for parents exercising significant custody time.
How does parenting time affect child support in Georgia?
Effective January 1, 2026, Georgia applies a mandatory parenting time adjustment using a mathematical formula rather than judicial discretion. The calculation raises parenting days to the power of 2.5 to determine a dollar credit reducing the noncustodial parent's obligation. A parent with 120 overnight visits receives greater reduction than one with 80 nights. This adjustment applies automatically through the worksheet rather than requiring deviation findings.
When does child support end in Georgia?
Georgia child support terminates when a child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later, but never beyond age 20. Emancipation through marriage, military service, or court order ends support earlier. Support does not terminate automatically; the paying parent must petition for modification. Courts cannot order support for college expenses, though parents may voluntarily agree to contribute.
Does Georgia consider childcare and health insurance costs?
Yes, Georgia adds health insurance premiums for children and work-related childcare costs to the Basic Child Support Obligation before calculating each parent's share. These mandatory additions appear on Schedule D of the worksheet. The parent paying these expenses receives credit for their contribution. Vision and dental insurance qualify as discretionary deviations rather than mandatory additions.
Can courts deviate from the calculated child support amount?
Georgia courts may deviate from presumptive support with written findings explaining why the calculated amount would be unjust. Common deviation grounds include high income exceeding $40,000 monthly, travel expenses for long-distance parenting, extraordinary medical or educational expenses exceeding 7% of BCSO, mortgage costs providing housing for children, and alimony payments between the same parties.
How do I access the official Georgia child support calculator?
Visit csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov and create a free account using your email address. Click the Worksheet dropdown to start a new calculation. The system guides you through entering income information, parenting time, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. Completed worksheets can be printed or saved as PDF files meeting court filing requirements. The calculator incorporates all 2026 statutory changes including the mandatory parenting time adjustment.
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