If you are going through a divorce or separation, one of your biggest questions is probably how much child support you will pay or receive. Georgia uses a specific formula designed to make sure children receive roughly the same financial support they would have if their parents lived together. Understanding how that formula works—and what recently changed in 2026—can help you plan and avoid surprises. This guide explains how child support is calculated in Georgia in plain language.
For help with a child support matter in Carrollton or West Georgia, call Met Lane & Associates, P.C. at 770-834-4107.
Georgia Uses the “Income Shares Model”
Georgia calculates child support under the Income Shares Model, set out in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The idea behind this model is simple: a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the family were intact. Both parents’ incomes count, not just the paying parent’s.
The Basic Steps in the Calculation
While the official worksheet handles the math, the underlying process follows these steps:
- Determine each parent’s gross income. This includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and many other sources—before taxes.
- Combine the incomes. The two gross incomes are added together to find the parents’ combined adjusted income.
- Find the basic support obligation. Georgia provides an official table that lists the basic child support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children.
- Divide it proportionally. Each parent is responsible for a share of that obligation in proportion to their share of the combined income. If one parent earns 60% of the combined income, they are generally responsible for 60% of the basic obligation.
- Apply adjustments. The worksheet then accounts for additional costs and circumstances, described below.
Adjustments That Affect the Final Number
The basic obligation is only the starting point. Several adjustments and “deviations” can raise or lower the final amount, including:
- Health insurance premiums paid for the child
- Work-related childcare costs
- Parenting time (how much time the child spends with each parent)
- Other deviations the court finds appropriate, such as extraordinary educational or medical expenses
Important 2026 Changes to the Georgia Worksheet
Georgia rolled out a redesigned child support worksheet effective January 1, 2026. If you are calculating support now, it is important to use the current version, because the changes can meaningfully affect the result. Key updates include:
- A mandatory parenting-time adjustment. Instead of leaving parenting time as a discretionary deviation, the new worksheet builds it into the calculation using a defined formula—so the amount of time each parent spends with the child has a more predictable effect on support.
- An income cap. The calculation now applies a cap on the combined income used in the formula.
- Automatic low-income adjustments. The worksheet includes built-in adjustments to protect parents with limited income.
Because these rules are still relatively new, working with an attorney who understands the current worksheet can help ensure your calculation is accurate.
Who Pays Child Support?
Typically, the parent who spends less time with the child (the non-custodial parent) pays support to the custodial parent. However, because both incomes and the parenting schedule factor into the formula, the final obligation depends on the specific numbers in your case—not simply on who has primary custody.
Modifying a Child Support Order
A child support order is not necessarily permanent. Either parent can ask the court to modify support when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as:
- A significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income
- A change in the parenting time schedule
- A change in the child’s needs, such as new medical or educational costs
How a Carrollton Family Lawyer Can Help
Child support calculations can become complicated quickly, especially with self-employment income, disputed parenting time, or the new 2026 worksheet rules. An experienced attorney can make sure income is reported correctly, that you receive every adjustment you are entitled to, and that the final order is fair. At Met Lane & Associates, we help parents throughout Carroll County secure child support arrangements that protect their children’s well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
Georgia uses the Income Shares Model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The court combines both parents’ gross incomes, finds the basic obligation on the state’s table, and divides it in proportion to each parent’s income, with adjustments for health insurance, childcare, and parenting time.
What changed in the Georgia child support guidelines for 2026?
A redesigned worksheet took effect January 1, 2026. It adds a mandatory parenting-time adjustment calculated by formula, an income cap, and automatic low-income adjustments.
Can child support be changed after the order is entered?
Yes. Either parent can request a modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, a change in the parenting schedule, or a change in the child’s needs.
Get Help With Your Child Support Case
Whether you are establishing support for the first time or seeking a modification, Met Lane & Associates can guide you through the process. Call 770-834-4107 or visit 619 Newnan St, Carrollton, GA 30117 for a consultation. Explore our related guides on how divorce works in Georgia and child custody in Georgia.
