What Georgia Child Support Actually Costs for One Child

Georgia child support for one child is calculated using a formula, not a fixed dollar amount

Georgia does not set a flat payment for one child. Instead, the state uses a income shares model, which means the amount depends on how much both parents earn. The court takes the combined income of both parents, applies a percentage to that total, and divides the obligation between them based on each parent's share of the income.

For one child, Georgia applies 17% of the combined parental income as the base child support obligation. If one parent earns significantly more, that parent typically pays a larger portion. The actual dollar amount you will see on a support order could be anywhere from under $100 per month to over $1,000 per month, depending entirely on the parents' incomes.

The calculation also accounts for other factors: custody arrangement, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and whether either parent has other children they support. These adjustments can raise or lower the base percentage.

Key Takeaways

• Georgia uses 17% of combined parental income as the starting point for one child, then divides that obligation between parents based on their individual earnings.
• The final amount depends on both parents' gross income, custody time, health insurance, childcare costs, and any other children either parent supports.
• A parent can request a modification if income changes significantly or if custody changes.
• Georgia courts can deviate from the standard formula if they find it unjust or inappropriate in a specific case, but they must document their reason in writing.

How Georgia calculates the base obligation

Start with gross income — this includes wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and other sources. Both parents' gross income gets added together. If either parent is self-employed, the calculation uses net business income after business expenses.

Once you have the combined income, multiply it by 17% (for one child). That number is the total child support obligation that needs to be paid. Then the court determines what percentage of that obligation each parent pays based on their share of the combined income.

Example: Parent A earns $3,000 per month gross. Parent B earns $2,000 per month gross. Combined income is $5,000. Seventeen percent of $5,000 is $850. Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, so Parent A's obligation is $510 per month. Parent B earns 40%, so Parent B's obligation is $340 per month. If Parent B has primary custody, Parent A would pay $510 to Parent B.

Adjustments that change the final amount

The 17% figure is a starting point, not the final answer. Georgia law requires the court to account for several costs that adjust the obligation up or down.

Health insurance is the most common adjustment. If one parent pays for the child's health insurance, that cost is subtracted from their income before the percentage is applied. This lowers their obligation. If the child needs health insurance and neither parent has it, the court may order one parent to obtain it and factor that cost in.

Childcare expenses also adjust the calculation. If one parent pays for daycare or after-school care so they can work, that expense reduces their income before the 17% is calculated. Work-related childcare is treated differently from optional childcare.

Other children matter too. If either parent supports other children from different relationships, the court may reduce their child support obligation for this child. The reduction is based on the number and ages of the other children.

Custody time affects the calculation. If both parents share custody roughly equally, the obligation may be lower than if one parent has the child most of the time. The more time a parent spends with the child, the more of the child's living expenses they cover directly, which can reduce the cash payment owed to the other parent.

When courts can order a different amount

Georgia law allows judges to deviate from the 17% formula if they find it would be unjust or inappropriate. The judge must write down the specific reason for the deviation. Common reasons include: one parent has unusually high income, the child has special needs or medical expenses, one parent is incarcerated, or the parents have agreed to a different amount in writing.

A deviation does not mean the judge ignores the formula entirely. Instead, the judge explains why the standard calculation does not fit the situation and sets an amount they believe is fair. This deviation becomes part of the court order and can be challenged later if circumstances change.

What counts as income for child support

Georgia includes more than just a paycheck. Gross income for child support purposes includes:

• Wages, salary, and hourly pay
• Bonuses and commissions
• Self-employment income (net of business expenses)
• Rental income from property
• Interest and dividend income
• Income from pensions or retirement accounts
• Unemployment benefits
• Workers' compensation benefits
• Social Security benefits (with some exceptions for the child's own benefits)

Income that is not counted includes: child support received from another child, TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), food stamps, and housing information. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may "impute" income — meaning it assigns an income level based on what the parent could earn — but this requires evidence that the parent is deliberately avoiding work.

Modifying child support if circumstances change

If either parent's income changes significantly, or if custody changes, either parent can request a modification of the child support order. Georgia allows a modification if there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances.

A job loss, a significant raise, a change in custody time, or a major change in childcare costs can all trigger a modification request. The parent asking for the change must file a motion with the court and provide documentation of the new circumstances. The court will recalculate using the same 17% formula with the updated income and expenses.

Child support orders in Georgia are also reviewed automatically every three years if requested by either parent or the child support enforcement agency. This review can result in a modification if circumstances have changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia have a minimum or maximum child support amount?

Georgia does not set a legal minimum, but courts rarely order less than $50 per month even when income is very low. There is no maximum — if combined parental income is very high, the obligation can be several thousand dollars per month. Some judges explore a cap at higher income levels, but this requires a written deviation from the standard formula.

What if one parent does not report their income?

The court can order both parents to provide tax returns, pay stubs, and other income documentation. If a parent refuses or provides false information, the judge may hold them in contempt of court. The court can also impute income based on employment history or earning capacity if it believes income is being hidden.

Does child support end at age 18 in Georgia?

Child support typically ends when the child turns 18, unless the child is still in high school. If the child is enrolled in high school at age 18, support continues until graduation or age 20, whichever comes first. Support also continues if the child is disabled and unable to support themselves.

Can parents agree to a different amount than what the formula calculates?

Yes, but the agreement must be in writing and approved by a judge. The judge will review the agreement to make sure it is not unfair to the child. If both parents agree and the amount seems reasonable, the judge will usually approve it and include it in the court order.

What if the paying parent loses their job?

Losing a job is a substantial change in circumstances that allows a modification request. However, the parent must show they are actively looking for work. If the court believes the job loss was voluntary to avoid child support, it may impute income at the previous level or at a level based on the parent's skills and job history.