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Learn More>>Child Support>>2007 Guideline Changes

The major reason for changing the Georgia Child Support Guidelines was to account for the income of both parents and not just the non-custodial parent. Therefore, when a key factor in determining what a Georgia child support order might be, the parties need to cacluate each of their gross income as determined by the Georgia Support Guidelines.

Georgia child support guidelines, prior to 2007, were definitely simple to understand and oftentimes draconian in their application. For instance, a non-custodial parent making $50,000.00 per year could pay child support totaling 23 percent of their gross salary meaning that non-custodial parent in a Georgia child support case, would pay almost $1,000.00 per month for child support (after taxes). The non-custodial parent in this example after taxes and child support might have a real monthly income of less than $1,500.00 to maintain his/her household.

Now, 2007 has brought about some needed change Georgia child support guidelines. First and foremost, the Georgia child support guidelines now take into consideration the incomes of both parents. So, in the above example, applying the new Georgia child support guidelines, it may be possible for the non-custodial parent to get relief from the old Georgia child support guidelines. For example, let's assume that the custodial parent makes $100,000.00 per year. Now, a Georgia Superior Court applying the new Georgia Child Support Guidelines will take into consideration that there is $150,000.00 of gross income between the two parents and make a determination of what the total child support obligations should be for a child of parents making $150,000.00 living in separate households. These child support amounts are, for the most part, derived from a table that the Georgia Legislature passed regarding Georgia child support guidelines.

There are many other considerations when applying the new Georgia Child Support Guidelines--some of which are discussed on this website. However, to get a full grasp of what the new Georgia Child Support Guidelines mean to you and your child(ren) please contact the family lawyers at Panessa & Associates, LLC for your consultation now.

Request a consultation now.