Georgia Parenting Time Calculator

Georgia calculates parenting time by counting the total overnight stays each parent has with the child over a two-year period, then averaging for an annual figure out of 365 nights. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, if overnights are impractical, Georgia courts may also calculate total daytime hours divided by 24 to determine equivalent days. The parent with fewer than 182.5 overnights (under 50%) is designated the noncustodial parent for child support purposes.

Georgia does not have a specific 'shared custody' percentage threshold for child support adjustments—instead, the 2026 mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment applies to all cases with court-ordered parenting time. The critical dividing line is 182.5 overnights (50%), which determines custodial versus noncustodial status under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Any parenting time the noncustodial parent has reduces their support obligation through the mathematical formula. Parents with exactly equal time must designate one as the custodial parent for worksheet purposes.

A 2-2-3 custody schedule in Georgia rotates children between parents on a weekly basis: two days with Parent A, two days with Parent B, then three days with Parent A, reversing the following week. This schedule results in 50% parenting time (182.5 overnights annually) for each parent. Georgia courts consider this arrangement ideal for younger children who benefit from frequent contact with both parents, though it requires parents to live near each other to minimize disruption to school and activities.

Since January 1, 2026, Georgia child support calculations must include a mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The formula raises each parent's annual overnight count to the power of 2.5, then applies those figures to each parent's share of the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO). More parenting time for the noncustodial parent directly reduces their child support payment, reflecting the expenses they incur during their custodial periods.

Georgia allows parenting plan modifications when a parent proves a material change in circumstances affecting the child's well-being under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. Common qualifying changes include relocation, changes in work schedules, safety concerns, or a child's evolving needs. The requesting parent must file a modification petition with the Superior Court that issued the original order. Children aged 14 and older may file an Affidavit of Custody Election to request living with a different parent.

Georgia courts often recommend graduated parenting time schedules for toddlers, starting with shorter, more frequent visits that increase as the child matures. The 2-2-3 rotation works well for toddlers because it limits time away from either parent to a maximum of three days. Georgia judges evaluate the child's attachment patterns, each parent's caregiving history, and practical considerations like proximity of homes. Extended overnights may begin around age two or three, depending on the child's developmental readiness.

Georgia parenting plans must specify holiday arrangements, which take precedence over regular schedules. Most Georgia courts use an alternating odd/even year system: one parent has Thanksgiving and the second half of Christmas vacation in even years while the other has Easter and the first half of Christmas. A typical Christmas division switches custody at 2 p.m. on December 25, ensuring both parents share Christmas Day. Summer vacation is usually divided equally or in two-week blocks.

First right of refusal requires a parent to offer the other parent childcare opportunities before using a babysitter, daycare, or family member during their parenting time. Georgia parenting plans should specify the minimum duration triggering this right—commonly 8 hours or overnight stays—to avoid impractical logistics for brief absences. This provision ensures maximum time with parents rather than third-party caregivers. Courts can modify or remove this clause if it creates conflict or is used to harass the other parent.