Georgia child support is calculated 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 a combined parental income of $10,000 per month with one child, the presumptive support amount is $1,259 monthly. The parent earning 60% of combined income pays 60% of the BCSO ($755.40), while the parent earning 40% pays their proportional share. As of January 1, 2026, Georgia implemented a mandatory parenting time adjustment formula under Senate Bill 454, replacing discretionary deviations with a mathematical calculation that directly affects support amounts based on overnight custody time.
Key Facts: Georgia Child Support 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15) |
| Income Cap | $40,000/month combined ($480,000 annually) |
| Filing Fee | $200-$400 (varies by county) |
| Modification Fee (DCSS) | $100 |
| Support Duration | Until age 18, or 20 if still in high school |
| Enforcement Agency | Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) |
| Official Calculator | csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov |
How Georgia Calculates Child Support Under the Income Shares Model
Georgia determines child support by calculating each parent's share of combined adjusted gross income and applying that percentage to the Basic Child Support Obligation established in the statutory guidelines table. Both parents' incomes are added together to find the combined monthly income, which is then matched to the BCSO table in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(o) to identify the presumptive support amount for the number of children involved. The paying parent's obligation equals their percentage of combined income multiplied by the BCSO amount, plus their pro-rata share of additional expenses like health insurance and childcare.
The Income Shares Model reflects the economic principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together. Georgia courts use this model because it distributes the financial responsibility of raising children between both parents based on their respective earning capacities. The Georgia Child Support Commission maintains the official online calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov, which incorporates all 2026 statutory changes including the mandatory parenting time adjustment and expanded income table.
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 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 and childcare costs, divided proportionally
- Apply the mandatory parenting time adjustment using the 2026 formula
2026 Changes to Georgia Child Support Law Under Senate Bill 454
Georgia Senate Bill 454 fundamentally changed child support calculations effective January 1, 2026, replacing discretionary parenting time deviations with a mandatory mathematical formula that automatically adjusts support based on custody time. The new law raised the income table cap from $30,000 to $40,000 per month ($480,000 annually), standardizing calculations for high-income families. Additionally, the legislation introduced automatic low-income adjustments and provided specific credit provisions for parents receiving Veterans Affairs disability benefits.
The mandatory parenting time adjustment under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(g) uses a mathematical formula that raises overnight custody days to the power of 2.5 to assign a specific dollar value to each parent's time with the child. This eliminates judicial discretion that previously created inconsistent outcomes across Georgia counties. A parent who spends significant time with their children and files for support in 2026 will likely pay less than under the previous calculation method.
Four Major 2026 Changes
| Change | Effective Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| New BCSO Table | July 1, 2024 | Updated presumptive amounts |
| VA Disability Credit | January 1, 2026 | Specific deduction for veterans |
| Mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment | January 1, 2026 | Formula replaces discretionary deviation |
| Low-Income Adjustment | January 1, 2026 | Automatic protection for low earners |
Georgia Child Support Guidelines Table and BCSO Amounts
The Basic Child Support Obligation table published in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(o) provides presumptive monthly support amounts based on combined parental income ranging from $800 to $40,000 and the number of children requiring support. These figures represent the total support obligation before adding health insurance and childcare costs. Courts treat the BCSO amount as a rebuttable presumption, meaning judges may deviate only with written findings that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate.
For example, if total gross income for both parents is $10,000 per month, the presumptive support amount is $1,259 per month for one child under the 2026 guidelines. When the non-custodial parent earns $6,000 monthly (60% of combined income) and the custodial parent earns $4,000 monthly (40%), the non-custodial parent pays 60% of the $1,259 obligation, or approximately $755 per month before additional expenses and adjustments.
Sample BCSO Amounts by Combined Income (One Child)
| Combined Monthly Income | BCSO (1 Child) | BCSO (2 Children) |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | ~$750 | ~$1,100 |
| $8,000 | ~$1,050 | ~$1,500 |
| $10,000 | $1,259 | ~$1,800 |
| $15,000 | ~$1,650 | ~$2,400 |
| $20,000 | ~$2,000 | ~$2,900 |
Note: Amounts are approximate. Use the official Georgia Child Support Calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov for precise calculations.
Health Insurance and Childcare Costs in Georgia Child Support
Health insurance premiums and childcare expenses are added to the Basic Child Support Obligation before applying the mandatory parenting time adjustment under the 2026 calculation method. The parent who provides health insurance coverage receives credit for the child's portion of the premium cost, calculated by dividing the total premium by the number of persons covered and multiplying by the number of children in the support order. Both parents share these additional expenses proportionally based on their percentage of combined income.
The Georgia Child Support Commission redesigned the worksheet effective January 1, 2026, incorporating mandatory adjustments directly into the calculation flow rather than treating them as separate add-on deviations. Parents must enter health insurance costs on Schedule D (Additional Expenses) in the column of the parent paying the premium. The total childcare costs necessary for employment or education are similarly added and divided pro-rata between both parents.
Additional Expenses Calculation Example
When monthly health insurance for the children costs $300 and childcare costs $800, these $1,100 in additional expenses are added to the BCSO and divided based on each parent's income percentage. If Parent A earns 65% of combined income and Parent B earns 35%, Parent A pays $715 (65% of $1,100) toward additional expenses while Parent B pays $385 (35% of $1,100). These amounts are added to each parent's share of the BCSO to determine total support obligations.
Filing Fees and Court Costs for Georgia Child Support Cases
Georgia Superior Court filing fees for child support matters range from $200 to $400 depending on the county where the action is filed. Fulton County charges different amounts than rural counties, and fees change periodically. Service of process adds $50 to $100 whether using the sheriff ($25-$50) or a private process server ($50-$100). Subsequent motions during the case typically cost $20 to $100 per filing, while certified copies of final orders run $10 to $20 per document.
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). Courts waive the $100 modification fee for parents who receive public assistance or earn less than $1,260 per month. Parents unable to afford court fees may request a fee waiver by demonstrating household income at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines using the court's indigency affidavit form.
As of March 2026, verify current fees with your local Superior Court clerk's office before filing, as amounts change periodically.
How Long Child Support Lasts in Georgia
Georgia child support continues until the child reaches age 18, dies, marries, or becomes emancipated, whichever occurs first under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. For orders entered after July 1, 1992, support can extend until the child finishes high school or reaches age 20, whichever comes first, provided the child remains enrolled and is not emancipated. Support obligations cannot extend beyond age 20 under any circumstances, even if the child has not completed secondary school.
Effective July 1, 2024, Georgia law permits continued support for dependent adult children who cannot support themselves due to physical or mental incapacity that began before reaching majority age. This provision addresses situations where adult children with disabilities require ongoing financial support beyond the typical termination age. The paying parent must petition the court to formally terminate support obligations rather than simply stopping payments, as the support order remains enforceable until legally modified.
Events That Terminate Child Support Early
- Marriage of the child before age 18
- Active military service enlistment
- Legal emancipation by court order
- Death of the child
- Child becoming self-supporting (must be documented in decree)
Modifying Child Support in Georgia
Georgia permits child support modification upon showing a substantial change in either parent's income, financial status, or the children's needs that occurred after the existing order was entered. A substantial change refers to a significant, ongoing alteration, not a minor or temporary income fluctuation. Common qualifying changes include job loss, significant income increase or decrease, changes in custody arrangements, increased medical or educational needs, or a parent's responsibility for supporting additional children from a new relationship.
The two-year limitation rule under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(k)(2) generally restricts modification petitions to once every two years from the date of the last modification. However, this limitation does not apply from the date of the original divorce decree. Exceptions allow earlier modification when the non-custodial parent fails to exercise court-ordered visitation, exercises more visitation than ordered, or experiences involuntary job loss.
Exceptions to the Two-Year Rule
| Exception | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Visitation non-compliance | NCP failed to exercise ordered visitation |
| Increased visitation | NCP exercised more time than ordered |
| Involuntary job loss | Loss of employment through no fault of parent |
| Original order never modified | First-ever modification request |
Modifications take effect prospectively from the filing date of the petition. Courts cannot retroactively adjust support amounts back to when the substantial change occurred, except in involuntary job loss cases where reduction may be phased in over time if it exceeds 25% of the current obligation.
Enforcing Child Support Orders in Georgia
The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) enforces child support orders through multiple administrative and judicial mechanisms including automatic wage withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings. Since 1994, every Georgia support order must include a wage withholding provision or document why withholding is inappropriate. When a parent falls 30 days behind in support payments, the custodial parent can file for garnishment to deduct current support plus arrears from the non-paying parent's wages.
DCSS enforcement tools escalate based on the severity and duration of non-payment. Administrative remedies include income withholding from paychecks, unemployment benefits, or disability payments; intercepting federal and state tax refunds; garnishing workers' compensation benefits and lump sum payments; reporting delinquencies to credit bureaus; intercepting lottery winnings exceeding $2,500; and suspending driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for parents more than 60 days behind. Passport denial, suspension, or revocation applies to parents owing more than $2,500 in arrears.
Contempt of Court for Non-Payment
When administrative enforcement fails, DCSS or the custodial parent may file a contempt action in Superior Court. Parents found in contempt face civil penalties including fines and conditions for compliance. Judges may impose criminal contempt for parents with a history of delinquency, which can result in jail time in addition to monetary penalties. Either parent can open a child support case online or by calling DCSS at 1-844-MYGADHS (1-844-694-2347).
Georgia Residency Requirements for Child Support
Georgia requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for six consecutive months immediately prior to filing for divorce or child support. Either the petitioner or respondent can satisfy this residency requirement. A non-resident may file against a spouse who has been a Georgia resident for six months, with the case filed in the county where the respondent resides. Military members who have resided on any U.S. Army post or military reservation in Georgia for at least one year may file in any county adjacent to their post or reservation.
Proving residency requires documentation such as a Georgia address on federal or state tax returns, Georgia vehicle registration, utility bills with your address, or Georgia voter registration. When both parties have resided in Georgia for more than six months, the petitioner must file the divorce action in the county where the respondent resides, even if the petitioner lives in a different county.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Child Support
How much is child support in Georgia for one child?
Georgia child support for one child depends on both parents' combined monthly income and is calculated using the Income Shares Model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. For combined parental income of $10,000 per month, the Basic Child Support Obligation is $1,259 monthly for one child. The non-custodial parent pays their proportional share based on income percentage, so a parent earning 60% of combined income would pay approximately $755 per month before adding health insurance and childcare costs.
What is the minimum child support payment in Georgia?
Georgia's Basic Child Support Obligation table starts at $800 combined monthly income, with minimum presumptive amounts varying by number of children. The 2026 low-income adjustment under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 automatically protects parents earning below self-support thresholds from excessive obligations. Courts retain discretion to set support below guideline amounts when the paying parent's income falls near poverty levels, though orders below $75 per month are rare.
How does the 2026 parenting time formula affect my child support?
The mandatory parenting time adjustment effective January 1, 2026, uses a mathematical formula that raises overnight custody days to the power of 2.5 to calculate dollar credits for time spent with children. Parents with significant parenting time (typically more than 100 overnights annually) receive automatic reductions in their support obligations without needing to request discretionary deviations. This replaces the previous system where judges had broad discretion in awarding parenting time credits.
Can I modify child support if I lose my job in Georgia?
Yes, involuntary job loss qualifies as a substantial change in circumstances allowing immediate modification under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(k)(2)(C), bypassing the standard two-year waiting period between modifications. The reduction may apply retroactively to the date of service on the custodial parent. Courts may phase in reductions exceeding 25% of the current obligation over time. Voluntary job loss or quitting typically does not qualify unless for compelling reasons like caring for a seriously ill child.
What happens if I don't pay child support in Georgia?
Non-payment of child support in Georgia triggers escalating enforcement actions through DCSS including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, recreational), credit bureau reporting, lottery winnings interception over $2,500, and passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500. Parents 30 days behind face garnishment, while those 60 days delinquent risk license suspension. Contempt proceedings may result in fines, jail time, or both.
Does child support cover health insurance in Georgia?
Health insurance premiums for children are added to the Basic Child Support Obligation as additional expenses under Schedule D of the Georgia Child Support Worksheet. The parent providing coverage receives credit for the child's portion of the premium, calculated by dividing total premium cost by persons covered and multiplying by children in the order. Both parents share health insurance costs pro-rata based on their income percentages.
How long does child support last in Georgia?
Georgia child support continues until the child turns 18, or until age 20 if the child remains enrolled in high school and is not emancipated under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Support terminates earlier if the child marries, enters active military service, or becomes legally emancipated. Effective July 2024, support may continue for adult children with physical or mental incapacities that began before age 18.
Can parents agree to waive child support in Georgia?
No, Georgia law does not permit parents to waive child support through informal agreements. Child support is considered the right of the child, not the parents, and any modification requires court approval. Informal agreements will not protect a parent from future claims for back support. All changes to support obligations must be documented in a court order to be legally enforceable.
Where do I file for child support in Georgia?
Child support petitions are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant (responding parent) resides under the Georgia Constitution. If both parents have lived in Georgia for more than six months, the petitioner must file in the respondent's county of residence. Parents can also open a child support case through DCSS online or by calling 1-844-MYGADHS (1-844-694-2347) for administrative establishment and enforcement services.
What income counts toward Georgia child support calculations?
Georgia includes all income sources in gross monthly income: wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, investment returns, retirement distributions, disability payments, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation. Veterans Affairs disability benefits receive specific treatment under the 2026 amendments. Income is adjusted by subtracting preexisting child support obligations paid for other children and self-employment taxes before calculating the BCSO percentage.