Reviewed by: Jordan Walker, J.D.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Reading Time: 9 Minutes
Key Takeaways
- GA child support uses an income shares model, so both parents’ income counts.
- It starts with gross monthly income, minus a few allowed adjustments.
- A state table sets the base amount. Since July 1, 2024, it covers combined monthly income up to $40,000.
- Health insurance and work-related child care are added on top.
- Since January 1, 2026, a formula-based parenting time adjustment and a low-income adjustment replace the old parenting time and low-income deviations.
So, how is child support calculated in Georgia? The state uses an income shares model. It combines both parents’ adjusted gross income, finds a base amount in the state table, and splits it by each parent’s share of income. Then it applies any parenting time adjustment, adds health insurance and child care, and applies any deviations or low-income adjustment.
Starting a divorce or paternity case, or facing a new support request, can make anyone anxious about the number. Georgia’s process follows clear steps, and knowing them helps you plan for what comes next. At Modern Family Law, our Georgia family law attorneys help parents understand the calculation and navigate support agreements.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- How the income shares model works
- Each step of the child support worksheet
- What counts as income
- How parenting time and extra costs change the amount
- What happens at $1,000 or $2,000 a week
Table of Contents
- How Does Georgia’s Income Shares Model Work?
- How Is Child Support Calculated in Georgia, Step by Step?
- What Counts as Income for Child Support in Georgia?
- How Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support in Georgia?
- How Much Child Support Will I Pay If I Make $1,000 or $2,000 a Week?
- Can Child Support Be Changed in Georgia?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Georgia’s Income Shares Model Work?
Georgia’s child support guidelines are in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. They use an income shares model. In plain terms, it estimates what parents would spend on a child if they lived together, then divides that cost by what each parent earns.
The noncustodial parent, the parent the child lives with less than half the time, usually pays the other parent. With equal time, the parent who earns more is treated as the noncustodial parent. The custodial parent’s share isn’t paid as support. It’s generally expected to go toward the child’s day-to-day costs.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Georgia, Step by Step?
The state worksheet follows these steps, and most connect to a part of the worksheet called a schedule:
| Step | What Happens | Where It Goes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Add up each parent’s gross monthly income | Schedule A |
| 2 | Subtract allowed adjustments | Schedule B |
| 3 | Combine incomes and find the base amount | BCSO table |
| 4 | Split the base amount by income share | Worksheet |
| 5 | Apply the parenting time adjustment | Schedule C |
| 6 | Add health insurance and child care | Schedule D |
| 7 | Apply any deviations | Schedule E |
| 8 | Apply the low-income adjustment, if it fits | Calculator (automatic) |
What Counts as Income for Child Support in Georgia?
Georgia looks at income from almost any source. Gross income can include:
- Wages, commissions, tips, bonuses, overtime, and severance pay
- Self-employment income
- Pension or retirement income
- Interest, dividends, and capital gains
- Social Security, VA disability, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits
- Cash gifts (or gifts that can be turned into cash), prizes, and lottery winnings
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Georgia
What Is the New Child Support Law in Georgia?
Senate Bill 454 (2024) updated Georgia’s guidelines in two phases. A new support table took effect July 1, 2024. On January 1, 2026, a formula-based parenting time adjustment and a low-income adjustment replaced the old deviations for those issues. An attorney can explain how these updates affect your case.
Is Georgia Child Support Based on Gross or Net Income?
It’s based on gross income, meaning income before taxes. A few adjustments come off, such as half of self-employment taxes and support already paid for other children. The result is adjusted gross income, which is the figure the state table uses.
Does 50/50 Custody Mean No Child Support in Georgia?
Not necessarily. With equal time, the parenting time adjustment may lower support, but a parent who earns more can still owe support. Health insurance and child care costs can also affect the result. Each case depends on both incomes and the court-ordered schedule.
Are Health Insurance and Daycare Included in Georgia Child Support?
They aren’t in the table amount, but they’re added on top of it. The child’s health insurance premiums and work-related child care costs are split by each parent’s share of income.
Why Georgia Families Choose Modern Family Law
Child support shapes your family’s budget for years. You deserve clear numbers and a team that explains them in plain language. Our Georgia family law attorneys work with all kinds of families on support, custody, and divorce.
Talk to a Georgia Child Support Attorney Today
Have questions about a new or existing order? We’d be glad to talk it through. You can reach our Atlanta family lawyers, visit our Alpharetta family law office, or meet with our Savannah family lawyers.
This article is for general information and isn’t legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time; speak with a licensed family law attorney about your situation.
