Georgia child support amounts are set by state law, not by a fixed number

Georgia does not have a single dollar amount that applies to all one-child cases. Instead, courts use the Georgia Child Support Guidelines, which calculate support based on both parents' gross income, custody arrangement, and other factors. A parent earning $3,000 per month will owe a different amount than one earning $8,000 per month. The formula produces a range, and the judge can order anywhere within that range or deviate from it if circumstances warrant.

The calculation starts with the combined parental income — what both parents earn together before taxes. Georgia then applies a percentage to that combined income. For one child, the guideline percentage is 20 percent of combined income. If both parents earn $5,000 per month combined, the guideline amount is $1,000 per month total. The court then divides that obligation between the parents based on their individual income shares.

This means the parent who earns more pays more, and the split is proportional. If one parent earns 60 percent of the combined income and the other earns 40 percent, the higher earner pays 60 percent of the $1,000 guideline — or $600 per month.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia uses a percentage-of-income formula: 20 percent of combined parental income for one child, divided by income share.
  • The calculation includes gross income from all sources — wages, self-employment, bonuses, rental income — before taxes and deductions.
  • Income caps exist: if combined income exceeds a certain threshold (currently around $30,000 per month, though this changes), the court has discretion on the amount above that cap.
  • The guideline amount is a starting point; judges can order more or less if they find the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate given the specific case.
  • Child support orders in Georgia typically include health insurance, daycare costs, and extraordinary expenses in addition to the base monthly amount.

How Georgia calculates the base monthly amount

The process has four steps. First, both parents report their gross monthly income on the Child Support Worksheet, a form filed with the court. Gross income includes salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and workers' compensation — essentially all money coming in before taxes.

Second, the court adds both incomes together to get combined parental income. Third, it multiplies that combined income by 0.20 (the 20 percent guideline for one child). Fourth, it divides the resulting obligation between the parents based on each parent's share of the combined income. The parent with primary custody typically receives the payment; the other parent pays it.

Example: Parent A earns $4,000 per month gross. Parent B earns $2,000 per month gross. Combined income is $6,000. The guideline obligation is $6,000 × 0.20 = $1,200 per month. Parent A's income share is $4,000 ÷ $6,000 = 66.7 percent. Parent B's income share is $2,000 ÷ $6,000 = 33.3 percent. If Parent B has primary custody, Parent A pays 66.7 percent of $1,200 = $800 per month.

What income counts and what does not

Georgia includes most money a parent receives as income for child support purposes. Wages and salary are the baseline. Self-employment income counts as gross receipts minus ordinary business expenses — not what the parent takes home. Bonuses, commissions, and overtime count. Rental income, interest, dividends, and capital gains count. Unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, and disability payments count. Social Security benefits count.

Some income does not count. Child support received from another child does not count as income for calculating support for a different child. Means-tested public benefits like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP do not count. Gifts and inheritances do not count. Income from a new spouse or partner does not count — only the parent's own income matters.

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed — meaning they could earn more but choose not to — the court may impute income, or assign an income level based on their earning capacity. A parent who quits a job to avoid child support, or who works part-time when full-time work is available, may be ordered to pay based on what they could earn, not what they actually earn.

Adjustments and additions to the base amount

The 20 percent guideline is the base, but Georgia law requires the court to add other costs on top of it. Health insurance for the child is one. The parent ordered to pay child support typically also pays the health insurance premium, or reimburses the other parent for it. This is separate from the monthly support amount.

Childcare and work-related daycare costs are added to the base obligation. If the custodial parent pays $800 per month for daycare so they can work, that cost is divided between the parents based on income share, and the non-custodial parent's share is added to their child support order.

Extraordinary expenses — private school tuition, special education needs, medical or dental costs not covered by insurance, extracurricular activities — can also be added. These are not automatic; the court considers whether they are necessary and reasonable, and divides them by income share.

When the guideline amount changes or does not apply

If combined parental income exceeds the income cap (currently around $30,000 per month, though Georgia adjusts this periodically), the court has discretion. It can apply the 20 percent formula to the full amount, apply it only to income up to the cap and use discretion above that, or use a different approach entirely. The judge must state reasons for any deviation.

The court can also deviate from the guideline if it finds the amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Reasons include the financial resources of both parents, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the parents had remained together, the non-monetary contributions each parent makes to the child's care, the age of the child, the ability of each parent to work, and any other relevant factor. A deviation requires written findings of fact.

Shared custody arrangements also affect the calculation. If both parents have substantial time with the child — typically 40 percent or more of overnights — the guideline may be adjusted downward because both parents are directly covering expenses during their time. The court uses a different worksheet for shared custody cases.

Documents you will need if child support is ordered

The court requires both parents to file a Child Support Worksheet showing income, deductions, and expenses. You will need recent pay stubs (typically the last 30 days), tax returns (usually the last two years), and proof of self-employment income if applicable. If you claim childcare expenses, bring receipts or statements from the provider. If you pay health insurance for the child, bring the premium statement.

You will also need proof of custody — the divorce decree, custody order, or parenting plan. If you are requesting a deviation from the guideline, bring documentation of the reason: medical bills, special education records, or evidence of the child's needs.

Once an order is entered, Georgia's Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services can enforce it. Payments are typically made through the state's payment system, and the state tracks compliance and can pursue enforcement actions like wage garnishment or license suspension if a parent falls behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia have a minimum child support amount?

Georgia does not set a flat minimum, but the guideline formula produces an amount based on income. If combined parental income is very low, the guideline amount will be low. A court can order less than the guideline if it finds the guideline unjust, but it must state reasons in writing.

What if one parent has no income or is unemployed?

The court may impute income based on the parent's earning capacity — their education, work history, and the jobs available in the area. A parent cannot avoid support by choosing not to work. If a parent is truly unable to work due to disability or other circumstances, the court may consider that, but the burden is on the parent to prove it.

Can child support change after the order is entered?

Yes. Either parent can request a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances — a job loss, a significant raise, a change in custody, or a change in childcare costs. The change must be substantial and material, not minor. Georgia allows modification requests every two years or when circumstances warrant.

Does the child's age affect the amount?

The guideline percentage (20 percent for one child) does not change based on age. However, the court can consider the child's age when deciding whether to deviate from the guideline. Older children may have higher expenses, and the court can factor that in.

What if both parents have equal income and equal custody?

If income is equal and custody is truly equal (roughly 50-50 overnights), the guideline obligation may be very low or zero, because both parents are equally sharing expenses. The court still has discretion and may order support if it finds the child's needs warrant it, but equal income and equal custody typically result in a reduced or nominal amount.