Child Support in Atlanta Georgia

Atlanta GA Child Support Lawyer

There are a number of issues that must be addressed when a couple is going through a divorce, and of course child support is one of them. The subject of child support really starts with the matter of child custody, because the parent who has primary physical custody is going to be the recipient of the payments and the non-custodial parent will be required to pay them. The state of Georgia previously used a percentage of income formula to determine the amount of child support that was appropriate, but that changed a few years back. Many states across the country have started to use what is called the Income Shares Model to calculate child support, and Georgia became one of them on January 1st, 2007.

The Income Shares Model proceeds from the understanding that both parents are equally responsible for the financial needs of their children. However, that does not mean that they must each pay half of the amount that is deemed necessary and appropriate by the state.

Child support using this model is calculated via a means-based gradient. So hypothetically speaking, let's say the state guidelines called for $400 in monthly child support to provide for one child and the mother is the custodial parent. If she earns $2,000 per month, and the child's father earns $3,000 per month, the father is earning 60% of the total earnings of the two parents. So he would be required to pay 60% of the $400 that the state guidelines mandate for the support of the child. It is important that people who are required to pay child support understand that this is a payment intended to provide for the child or children. It is not a penalty, and the contribution is not for the personal use of the custodial parent.

Some 25% of all required child support payments are never paid at all, and half of them are not paid in full. This is a big problem, and parents who are delinquent with their child support payments can face contempt of court charges. Raising children require financial resources, plain and simple. Child support provides for the well being of your children and it is one of the responsibilities that comes with parenthood, nothing more and nothing less. If you have questions or concerns about child support, contact an Atlanta GA family lawyer to arrange for a free consultation.