Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker finalized their divorce on March 26, 2026 with a Permanent Parenting Plan containing a precedent-setting media clause requiring written consent from both parents before filming children Ace (10) and Blaze (6) for any public content, plus a $426,000 lump sum settlement. Georgia courts will likely see similar provisions requested in contested custody cases going forward.
According to reporting from Urban Belle Magazine, the Fulton County settlement establishes joint legal custody with Burruss holding primary physical custody. The media provision mirrors protections found in Tennessee's SB1469, which took effect July 1, 2025, and Illinois's child influencer law (HB 2442, effective July 2024). All earnings generated from the children's likeness must flow into 529 college savings plans and custodial trusts established under Georgia's Transfer to Minors Act.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Divorce finalized with precedent-setting media clause |
| When | March 26, 2026 (originally filed 2022) |
| Where | Fulton County Superior Court, Georgia |
| Who's affected | Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, minor children Ace (10) and Blaze (6) |
| Key statute | O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1 (parenting plans) |
| Financial terms | $426,000 lump sum; all child earnings routed to 529/custodial accounts |
Why This Settlement Changes Georgia Custody Playbooks
This settlement establishes a practical template for Georgia parents whose children appear in reality television, social media content, or brand partnerships. The media clause functions as a contractual extension of Georgia's parenting plan statute, converting a best-interests principle into a specifically enforceable consent requirement backed by contempt powers.
Before this high-profile settlement, Georgia parents seeking to limit a co-parent's ability to feature children in monetized content had to rely on ad hoc court orders or broad best-interests arguments under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The Burruss-Tucker agreement demonstrates a cleaner path: bake the restriction into the Permanent Parenting Plan itself, making violations enforceable as contempt of court rather than requiring new litigation each time.
Legal commentators at BET noted the structure mirrors Tennessee SB1469's requirement that 50% of earnings from child influencer content be placed in trust accounts until age 18. Georgia has no equivalent statute — yet — but private agreements can fill the statutory gap completely.
How Georgia Law Handles This
Georgia courts evaluate custody provisions under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the best-interests-of-the-child standard, which enumerates 17 specific factors judges must consider. Media exposure of minors falls under factor (17) — any relevant factor the judge deems important — and factor (7), which addresses the home environment and its impact on the child.
O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1 requires every contested custody case in Georgia to include a written Permanent Parenting Plan addressing decision-making authority, physical custody schedules, and any special provisions the parents negotiate. Media consent clauses fall squarely within this statute's catch-all authority for any matter affecting the child's welfare or development.
For financial protections, Georgia's Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (O.C.G.A. § 44-5-110 through § 44-5-134) governs custodial accounts, while Section 529 plans receive preferential treatment under both federal tax law (26 U.S.C. § 529) and Georgia's Path2College 529 program. Georgia residents receive a state income tax deduction up to $4,000 per beneficiary per year for individual filers ($8,000 for joint filers), with aggregate account balance caps reaching $478,000 in 2026.
Georgia's parenting plan statute rewards specificity. A clause stating "neither parent shall feature the minor children in monetized content without prior written consent" is enforceable as written. A vague provision like "parents shall respect children's privacy" will not survive a contempt motion.
Practical Takeaways for Georgia Parents
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Negotiate media clauses directly into Permanent Parenting Plans under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1. Do not rely on informal agreements or email exchanges. Georgia courts enforce written clauses, not verbal understandings or handshake deals.
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Require written consent for all monetized content featuring minors. The Burruss-Tucker template defines monetized content broadly to include reality television, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, brand partnerships, podcasts, and print advertising campaigns.
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Route all child-generated earnings into 529 plans or O.C.G.A. § 44-5-116 custodial accounts. This structure prevents either parent from spending the child's earnings and preserves funds for education or age-18 distribution.
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Build in audit provisions. Strong parenting plans require quarterly accountings of any child-related income, with supporting documentation of deposits to protected accounts within 30 days of receipt.
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Include geographic and platform-specific restrictions. Some Georgia families need protection only from reality television exposure; others need broader social media restrictions covering specific platforms or content types.
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Specify dispute resolution procedures. The Burruss-Tucker agreement reportedly requires mediation before any party can file a contempt motion related to media violations, reducing litigation costs by an estimated 60-80% compared to direct court filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia have a child influencer law like Tennessee's SB1469?
No. As of April 2026, Georgia has no specific statute regulating child influencer earnings. Tennessee's SB1469 (effective July 1, 2025), Illinois's HB 2442 (effective July 2024), and California's SB 764 each require 50% of earnings be held in trust. Georgia parents must negotiate these protections through private parenting plan agreements.
Can a Georgia parent post photos of children on social media without the other parent's consent?
Non-monetized personal posts typically do not require consent in Georgia unless the parenting plan specifically restricts them. However, O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 allows courts to restrict exposure when it harms the child's best interests, and monetized content almost always requires both parents' approval under modern Georgia parenting plans executed after 2020.
What happens if a parent violates a media clause in a Georgia parenting plan?
Violations are enforceable as contempt of court under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-28. Remedies include monetary sanctions, attorney's fees, modification of custody arrangements, and in egregious cases, jail time up to 20 days per violation. Most Georgia courts start with warnings but escalate quickly for repeat violations within 12 months.
How much can Georgia parents contribute to a 529 plan for child earnings?
Georgia's Path2College 529 program allows contributions up to $18,000 per beneficiary per year without federal gift tax consequences (2026 annual exclusion). Georgia offers state income tax deductions up to $4,000 per beneficiary for individual filers and $8,000 for joint filers. Total account balance caps reached $478,000 per beneficiary in 2026.
Can the Burruss-Tucker media clause template be used in any Georgia divorce?
Yes. Any Georgia parent negotiating a Permanent Parenting Plan under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1 can include media consent requirements, earnings-to-trust mandates, and platform-specific restrictions. Georgia courts routinely approve such clauses when both parents consent, and contested versions receive favorable review when tied to specific best-interests factors under § 19-9-3.
Consult a Georgia Family Law Attorney
If you are considering divorce and your children have a public profile — through sports, social media, entertainment, or brand partnerships — a Georgia family law attorney can draft protective media clauses tailored to your family's needs. Early planning prevents years of post-decree litigation and protects your children's future earnings.
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.