A Georgia judge finalized the divorce of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Drew Sidora and Ralph Pittman on June 8, 2026, ordering Sidora — who earns $38,000/month — to pay Pittman ($27,000/month) $2,218/month in child support. Under Georgia's income shares model (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15), the higher earner pays regardless of gender. This case shows Georgia courts apply support math, not assumptions.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Drew Sidora ordered to pay ex-husband Ralph Pittman $2,218/month in child support |
| When | Finalized June 8, 2026 |
| Where | Georgia (Atlanta metro) |
| Who's affected | Higher-earning spouses in Georgia divorces; co-parents |
| Key statute | O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 (child support guidelines) |
| Property impact | Pittman awarded $1.9M home; must pay Sidora $145,054 equity; no alimony either side |
Source: TMZ, June 10, 2026
Why this matters legally
Georgia child support is gender-neutral and income-driven, so the higher earner pays the lower earner regardless of who is mother or father. Sidora earns roughly $11,000/month more than Pittman ($38K vs. $27K), and that gap — combined with the parenting time split — produced the $2,218/month obligation flowing from wife to husband. This outcome surprises people who assume mothers receive support by default, but Georgia abandoned that framework decades ago.
The income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 treats child support as a shared parental duty proportional to each parent's income. The court combines both parents' gross monthly incomes, finds the basic support obligation on the statutory table, then allocates it by income percentage. When one parent out-earns the other, the math routinely directs support to the lower earner — even when that lower earner is a financially comfortable man making $324,000 per year.
How Georgia law handles this
Georgia uses an income shares child support formula codified at O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, which calculates support based on the combined adjusted income of both parents and the number of children. Courts must use the official Georgia Child Support Worksheet, and deviations from the guideline amount require written findings. The result is a number, not a negotiation default.
Here is how the framework operates in cases like Sidora's:
- Combined gross income drives the table amount. With Sidora at $38,000/month and Pittman at $27,000/month, their combined income sits near the top of the guideline schedule, generating a large basic obligation that gets split by percentage share.
- Parenting time and direct expenses adjust the figure. Georgia accounts for health insurance, work-related child care, and extraordinary expenses, then assigns each parent a pro-rata responsibility.
- The higher-earning parent typically writes the check. Because Sidora earns the larger share of combined income, her percentage obligation exceeded Pittman's, leaving a net transfer to him.
On property, Georgia is an equitable distribution state — marital assets are divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. Awarding Pittman the $1.9 million home while requiring him to pay Sidora $145,054 for her equity is a textbook equitable-distribution buyout: one spouse keeps the asset and compensates the other for their marital share. Georgia courts also treat alimony as discretionary, so two self-supporting spouses earning six figures each commonly receive no spousal support, exactly as happened here.
Practical takeaways
Georgia residents navigating divorce should treat this case as a reminder that support math ignores gender and rewards documentation. Consider these action items:
- Calculate support before you assume. Run the numbers using the Georgia Child Support Worksheet tied to O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The higher earner should expect to pay even if they are the mother.
- Document all income accurately. Bonuses, business income, and irregular earnings count toward the combined income figure that drives the obligation.
- Decide who keeps the house early. A home buyout (like Pittman's $145,054 payment to Sidora) requires a clear equity calculation and often refinancing — plan the financing before agreeing to keep the property.
- Do not bank on alimony. With two earning spouses, Georgia courts frequently award zero spousal support; budget for self-sufficiency.
- Keep parenting time records. Overnights and custody splits affect the worksheet, so track the schedule precisely.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Can a wife be ordered to pay child support to her husband in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia child support is gender-neutral under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, so the higher-earning parent pays regardless of gender. Drew Sidora, earning $38,000/month, was ordered on June 8, 2026 to pay her ex-husband $2,218/month because she out-earns him.
How does Georgia calculate child support?
Georgia uses an income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Courts combine both parents' gross monthly incomes, find the basic obligation on the state table, then split it by each parent's income percentage. Health insurance, child care, and parenting time adjust the final figure.
Is Georgia a 50/50 property division state?
No. Georgia follows equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. In the Sidora-Pittman divorce, Pittman kept the $1.9 million home but paid Sidora $145,054 for her equity share — a buyout reflecting her fair portion, not an automatic 50/50 split.
Why did neither spouse receive alimony?
Alimony in Georgia is discretionary, not guaranteed. Courts weigh need and ability to pay. When both spouses are self-supporting — Sidora at $38,000/month and Pittman at $27,000/month — judges commonly award no spousal support, exactly the outcome in their June 8, 2026 final judgment.
What is a home equity buyout in a divorce?
A home equity buyout occurs when one spouse keeps the house and pays the other for their marital share. Pittman was awarded the $1.9 million Atlanta home and ordered to pay Sidora $145,054 — her equity portion. Buyouts typically require refinancing to remove the other spouse from the mortgage.
A note for Georgia readers
If you are facing a Georgia divorce and want to understand how the child support worksheet or an equity buyout might apply to your situation, connecting with a licensed Georgia family law attorney can help you run accurate numbers before you negotiate.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.