Child Support Attorneys in Peachtree Corners & Metro Atlanta
Ensuring Children Receive the Financial Support They Need
Parents have a responsibility to provide for their children, even when they are no longer married, living together, or involved in a relationship with one another. Child support helps ensure that both parents contribute financially to a child's everyday needs and overall well-being. At Bair Wilson Sharma LLC, our family law attorneys help parents understand Georgia's child support laws, determine appropriate support obligations, and address disputes involving the establishment, modification, or enforcement of child support.
Georgia uses statutory Child Support Guidelines to calculate support obligations. Rather than focusing solely on the income of the parent who will pay support, Georgia generally uses an income shares model that considers the incomes of both parents.
The calculation begins by determining each parent's gross income and combining those amounts. The applicable guidelines are then used to establish a basic child support obligation based on the parents' combined income and the number of children involved. Each parent's proportional share of that obligation is determined based on their percentage of the combined income.
However, calculating child support can involve more than simply entering two salaries into a formula. Bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, investment income, unemployment benefits, and other sources of income may need to be considered. Questions may also arise when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
Our lawyers help clients understand the information used in the calculation and how Georgia's guidelines apply to their particular financial and family circumstances.
Call Bair Wilson Sharma LLC at 678-250-6095 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.
Understanding What Goes Into a Child Support Calculation
Although Georgia's guidelines provide a framework for determining child support, the final obligation can be affected by several additional expenses, credits, and adjustments.
Health insurance premiums for the child and qualifying work-related childcare expenses may be incorporated into the calculation. Depending on the circumstances, other expenses associated with raising a child can also become relevant.
Georgia law also allows for certain deviations from the presumptive child support amount when the applicable legal requirements are satisfied. A deviation may increase or decrease the amount that would otherwise result from the standard calculation. The court must generally determine that a deviation is appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with the child's best interests.
Parenting arrangements can also affect the financial circumstances of a family, but custody and child support are separate legal issues. A parent should not assume that having substantial parenting time automatically eliminates a support obligation. Likewise, a parent generally cannot refuse to pay court-ordered support simply because the other parent is interfering with visitation.
Child support may be addressed during a divorce, paternity action, custody proceeding, or other family law case. Parents may be able to agree on certain financial issues, but child support remains subject to Georgia law and court review because the support is intended to benefit the child.
At Bair Wilson Sharma LLC, our attorneys carefully review financial records and the proposed child support worksheet to help ensure that income, expenses, and other relevant information are accurately presented.
Modifying and Enforcing Child Support Orders
A child support order that was appropriate several years ago may no longer reflect a family's current circumstances. Parents change jobs, incomes increase or decrease, childcare expenses evolve, health insurance costs change, and children's financial needs may become different as they grow.
Georgia law allows child support to be modified in certain circumstances. A parent may seek modification when there has been a qualifying change in the income or financial status of either parent or in the needs of the child. Other circumstances recognized under Georgia law may also support a request for modification.
A change in circumstances does not automatically change the amount owed under an existing court order. Until the order is legally modified, the existing child support obligation generally remains enforceable. Parents experiencing a significant financial change should therefore consider addressing the issue through the appropriate legal process rather than informally reducing or stopping payments.
Enforcement may become necessary when a parent fails to comply with an existing support order. Depending on the circumstances, unpaid child support can lead to enforcement measures designed to collect past-due amounts and require compliance with the court's order.
For a parent who has fallen behind, ignoring the problem can make the situation more difficult. Our attorneys can help clients understand the existing order, the amount allegedly owed, and what legal options may be available based on their circumstances.
Child support issues can also arise alongside other family law disputes. Changes in custody or parenting arrangements, for example, may create reasons to review an existing support obligation. Because these issues can affect one another without necessarily changing automatically, having the complete family situation evaluated can be important.
At Bair Wilson Sharma LLC, we represent both parents seeking appropriate financial support for their children and parents who are responsible for paying support. Our goal is to help clients reach child support arrangements that comply with Georgia law, accurately reflect relevant financial information, and account for the needs of their children.
Our attorneys provide hands-on guidance throughout the process, whether we are establishing support for the first time, reviewing a proposed calculation, pursuing or defending a modification, or addressing enforcement concerns. We explain how the numbers are determined so clients understand not only what they may be required to pay or receive, but why.
Our firm also provides multilingual legal services in English, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Russian, helping parents discuss important family and financial matters in the language they are most comfortable speaking.
We proudly represent parents and families throughout the Metro Atlanta Area in child support matters. Whether you need to establish child support, believe an existing order should be modified, are dealing with unpaid support, or have questions about how Georgia's guidelines apply to your family, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue a solution focused on your child's financial well-being.
Child Support FAQs
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
Georgia generally uses an income shares model that considers the incomes of both parents. The calculation also considers the number of children involved and may account for certain expenses, credits, and adjustments.
What types of income are considered when calculating child support?
Child support calculations may consider wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, and certain other sources of income. Determining income can become more complicated when a parent owns a business, has variable earnings, or receives income from multiple sources.
Does the parent with more custody automatically receive child support?
Not necessarily. Child support and custody are related but separate legal matters. The support calculation depends on the parents’ financial circumstances, applicable guidelines, and other relevant factors rather than custody alone.
Are childcare and health insurance expenses included in child support?
Qualifying work-related childcare expenses and health insurance premiums for the child may be included when calculating the overall child support obligation and allocating financial responsibility between the parents.
Can the court order a different amount than the standard child support calculation?
Potentially. Georgia law permits certain deviations from the presumptive child support amount when applicable requirements are met. The court generally must determine that the deviation is appropriate and consistent with the child’s best interests.
Can child support be modified?
Yes, under certain circumstances. A qualifying change in a parent’s income or financial status, the needs of the child, or other circumstances recognized under Georgia law may provide grounds to request a modification.
What happens if I lose my job and cannot afford my current child support?
Losing a job does not automatically change an existing child support order. If your financial circumstances have significantly changed, you may need to formally request a modification. Until the court changes the order, the existing obligation generally remains in effect.
What can I do if the other parent is not paying child support?
Court-ordered child support can be enforced through legal procedures when a parent fails to pay. Depending on the circumstances, various enforcement measures may be available to collect past-due support and require compliance with the order.
Can I stop paying child support if the other parent refuses to let me see my child?
Generally, no. Child support and parenting time are separate obligations. A parent should not simply stop paying court-ordered support because of a visitation dispute. Instead, legal remedies may be available to enforce the custody or parenting-time order.
Have Questions About Your Family Law Matter?
Family law matters can be deeply personal and complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Contact Bair Wilson Sharma LLC for clear guidance, compassionate support, and personalized representation. Our multilingual attorneys serve clients in English, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, and Russian. Call 678-250-6095 today to speak with one of our family law attorneys.