Atlanta Child Support Lawyer

The most important thing to recognize and remember when it comes to child support is that it is for the benefit of the child, not the child's other parent. Additionally, Georgia law requires both parents to provide appropriate support to their minor children, and no parent may waive a child's right to receive child support. With this understanding, it should be no surprise that Georgia courts use an objective mathematical guideline to determine the amount of support a child's noncustodial parent must pay to the custodial parent. Work to keep the determination of child support payments as predictable and dispassionate as possible. However, while neutrality is the goal when deciding child support, there is some room for legal persuasion when it comes to making and enforcing child support orders, and this is where an experienced child support attorney of Atlanta's children is valuable.

Read more about: MY CHILDREN'S MOTHER WON'T LET ME SEE THEM, WHAT CAN I DO?

child support in atlanta

CHILD SUPPORT LAW IN GEORGIA

In Georgia, any custodial parent or caregiver of a child, which is simply a parent or person with whom the child lives more than half the time, may collect regular child support from a parent who should contribute to the child's well-being.

To determine the amount of child support, Georgia uses an “income sharing” approach.

This means that the amount a parent will have to pay in child support is based on the joint income of the mother and father, minus any deductions. A judge will first determine the gross annual income of both parents and run the numbers through a child support calculator that applies Georgia child support guidelines.

While the calculator and guidelines are essential in determining child support in Georgia, a court may increase or decrease child support based on the individual circumstances of both parents and the best interests of the child. Factors that a court may consider include:

  • High income of parents (combined income is $ 30,000 per month or more)
  • Low income of the non-custodial parent (income is $ 1,850 per month or less)
  • Health related insurance
  • Life insurance (one parent is insured and the policy names the child as beneficiary)
  • Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
  • Travel expenses
  • Alimony
  • Mortgage
  • Permanence plan or reception plan
  • Extraordinary expenses, such as medical conditions or education expenses.
  • Real parenting time

With all of these factors that can influence a child support order in one direction or another, it is important to take a deep look at all of the circumstances that affect and surround your parent-child relationship and your relationship with your child's other parent. A experienced child support attorney can help you do this and ensure that you have the necessary documentation to support your child support claims.

AN EXPERIENCED ATLANTA CHILD SUPPORT LAWYER IS READY TO HELP YOU

If you need legal advice and representation in any child support matter, please contact lawyer Angelica Tovar-Hastings in Atlanta, Georgia. Our experienced Atlanta child support attorney is ready to help you.