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GA Statutory GuidelineGeorgia Child Support Commission & Georgia Superior Courts

Georgia Statutory Child Support Calculator

Georgia calculates child support pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 under the Income Shares Model. Gross parental incomes determine the Combined Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which corresponds to the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table. Each parent is allocated a pro-rata share, with credits applied for health insurance and adjustments for shared parenting time. Official statutory authority: Ga. Code Ann. § 19-6-15.

Specialized Scenarios:50/50 Shared Custody ↓High-Income Deviation ↓Sole Custody Guidelines ↓
Statutory Scope: This worksheet calculates estimated Child Support under Ga. Code Ann. § 19-6-15. To estimate spousal support or combined alimony + child support sequencing, use our US Alimony & Spousal Support Calculator →

Statutory Case Parameters

Georgia (GA)
1Governing Jurisdiction
Statutory Basis: Ga. Code Ann. § 19-6-15
2Monthly Incomes & Allowable Deductions
$
Pre-tax salary, wages, business revenue
$
Mandatory union dues & retirement
$
Pre-tax salary, wages, business revenue
$
Mandatory union dues & retirement
3Number of Dependent Children Covered
4Annual Custody Overnights (Out of 365)
Parent A: 183 Overnights (50.1%) Parent B: 182 Overnights (49.9%)
0 nights (Sole Parent B)183 nights (Equal 50/50)365 nights (Sole Parent A)
5Children's Health Insurance Premium
$
Only incremental premium for child(ren)
Cost is credited or prorated by income shares
Parent A (Obligor)GA Guideline
Estimated Baseline Guideline Amount
$238 / mo
Annualized: $2,856 / year
⚠️ESTIMATE ONLY — NOT LEGAL ADVICE

This automated tool calculates a preliminary statutory guideline estimate. Actual child support orders are determined by a judge and frequently deviate based on health insurance, childcare, taxes, and judicial discretion.

Calculating Child Support. Need spousal maintenance? Use the Alimony Calculator →
Combined Income$12,000
Basic Support Total$2,950
Parent A Share62.5%
Parent B Share37.5%
Independent Legal NoticeGA Family Law Guidance

When to Consult a Licensed Georgia Family Law Attorney

Judges in Georgia routinely depart from statutory guideline math when specific deviation factors exist (unusual travel costs for visitation, private school tuition, extraordinary medical needs, or dual-household expenses).

  • ■Evaluate discretionary deviation thresholds for your specific jurisdiction
  • ■Verify allowable self-employment deductions & net resource offsets
  • ■Draft enforceable formal stipulations with the clerk of court
Find Licensed Counsel via Official Bar Directory →

Alimonify is an independent informational calculation tool and is not a law firm, legal aid provider, or certified lawyer referral service. Alimonify does not provide legal representation, legal advice, or attorney referral services.

Statutory Framework Analysis

Georgia Legal Mechanics & Court Standards

Legislative Formula & Terminology

Combined monthly gross incomes determine basic support from the O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(o) schedule table. Each parent pays their pro-rata income share. Parenting time deviations are applied for equal or substantial physical custody.

  • Custodial Parent Term: Custodial Parent (Obligee)
  • Obligor Parent Term: Noncustodial Parent (Obligor)
  • Shared Custody Regime: Substantial Parenting Time Deviation
  • Official Court Form: Child Support Worksheet (Schedules A through E) (Georgia Child Support Worksheet)

Key Statutory Thresholds (2025/2026)

Shared Custody Trigger120 Overnights
Triggers cross-credit calculation
Statutory Cap$30,000/mo
$360,000/yr ceiling
Self-Support Reserve$1,150/mo
Protected subsistence income
Minimum Order Floor$100/mo
Statutory floor for indigent payors
Custody & Income Case Law Compendium

Georgia Custody Schedules, High-Income Caps & Precedent

How Georgia family courts apply Ga. Code Ann. § 19-6-15 across 50/50 equal parenting schedules, high-net-worth income deviations, and traditional sole physical custody orders:

Equal Parenting Time

Georgia: 50/50 Shared Custody

Load 50/50 Shared Custody Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(K) applies a Parenting Time Deviation on Schedule E, equalizing child support through reciprocal obligation offsets.

Key Statutory Rules

  • Georgia courts utilize Schedule E (Parenting Time Deviation) to adjust child support for equal 50/50 physical care.
  • Judges compute each parent’s pro-rata BCSO share and apply reciprocal offsets reflecting equalized day-to-day care.
  • Childcare costs on Schedule B are divided strictly according to parental income shares.
  • The higher-earning parent remains responsible for the differential needed to maintain the child’s standard of living.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Georgia Superior Court judges require detailed written findings on Schedule E to support parenting time deviations.

Controlling Authority: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(K); Wallace v. Wallace, 296 Ga. 307 (2014).

Practical Calculation Benchmark

Parent A ($6,000 gross) and Parent B ($4,000 gross) with 2 children results in Parent A paying approximately $226/month on Schedule E.

Cap Deviation Analysis

Georgia: High-Income Deviation

Load High-Income Deviation Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(h)(1) caps the BCSO schedule at $30,000/mo ($360k/yr). Additional support is based on the child’s proven lifestyle and special educational needs.

Key Statutory Rules

  • O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(h)(1) caps the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table at $30,000/month ($360,000/year).
  • For incomes exceeding $30,000, judges award the $30,000 table maximum plus an additional amount based on the child’s lifestyle and proven educational needs.
  • Schedule E high-income deviation factors must be accompanied by explicit written judicial findings.
  • Private schooling, equestrian sports, and international educational travel are commonly ordered as direct add-on payments.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Georgia Superior Courts require clear evidentiary proof of ongoing child expenditures before awarding amounts above the $30,000 BCSO cap.

Controlling Authority: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(h)(1); Strunk v. Strunk, 294 Ga. 280 (2013).

Practical Calculation Benchmark

On $45,000/mo combined income for 2 children, court awards base $4,460/mo plus orders obligor to pay 100% of $2,000/mo private school tuition.

Primary Custodian Baseline

Georgia: Sole Custody Guidelines

Load Sole Custody Guidelines Preset ↑

Statutory Rule: Basic Child Support Obligation (Schedule A) applies without parenting time deviations when noncustodial parent has standard visitation.

Key Statutory Rules

  • Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, when the noncustodial parent exercises standard visitation (under 120 overnights), Schedule A basic support governs.
  • The noncustodial parent is ordered to pay their exact pro-rata percentage of the BCSO table without Schedule E parenting deviation.
  • Work-related childcare and health insurance from Schedule B are added and credited dollar-for-dollar to the payer.
  • Self-support reserve protects lower-income payors from orders below the subsistence threshold.

Judicial Application & Controlling Case Law

Georgia judges enforce standard Schedule A computations for customary alternate-weekend visitation.

Controlling Authority: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15; Parker v. Parker, 293 Ga. 300 (2013).

Practical Calculation Benchmark

Noncustodial parent earning $5,000/mo gross where custodial parent earns $3,000/mo (62.5% share) pays $1,203/month for 2 children ($1,925 BCSO).

Statutory Adjustment Guide

Allowable Income Deductions in Georgia

Georgia computes child support from Monthly Gross Income on Schedule A and Schedule B of the Georgia Child Support Worksheet (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(f)). Before calculating each parent’s pro-rata share of the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO), Georgia law authorizes adjustments for self-employment taxes, pre-existing support orders, and qualified household dependents:

O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(f)(5)(A)

Pre-existing Court-Ordered Child Support Actually Paid

Support orders actively paid for other minor children from prior relationships.

O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(f)(5)(C)

Qualified Other Children in Household

Self-employed parent adjustment for biological or legally adopted children residing in the household.

O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(f)(2)(B)

Mandatory Work-Related Retirement Deductions

Mandatory retirement or pension withholding required by government or employer contract.

Judicial Discretion

Grounds for Departure from Georgia Guideline Math

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i), the presumptive Basic Child Support Obligation may be rebutted only if the Superior Court judge or jury enters written findings on Schedule E showing that the presumptive amount is unjust or inappropriate and that deviation serves the best interest of the child:

⚖️ Parenting Time Deviation (Schedule E, O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(K))

Extensive overnights or equal physical custody requiring substantial dual-household maintenance.

⚖️ High Income Deviation (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(A))

Combined gross income exceeding $30,000 per month.

⚖️ Extraordinary Educational Expenses (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(J))

Private school tuition, tutoring, or collegiate prep courses.

⚖️ Extraordinary Medical Expenses (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(H))

Uninsured medical, dental, or therapeutic care required by the minor child.

Mathematical Case Study

Georgia Income Shares Worked Example (2 Children, Sole Custody)

Case Facts: Parent A earns $6,000/mo gross (60%); Parent B earns $4,000/mo gross (40%). Combined income is $10,000/mo. Parent B has primary physical custody.
Step 1: Determine Combined Gross Income$6,000 + $4,000 = $10,000/mo

Parent A represents 60.0% of combined income; Parent B represents 40.0%.

Step 2: BCSO Schedule Table Lookup$2,260/mo basic obligation

Under Georgia Schedule A, 2 children at $10,000 combined income yields $2,260/mo BCSO.

Step 3: Prorate Obligor Share$2,260 × 60% = $1,356/mo

Parent A is responsible for 60% of the Basic Child Support Obligation.

💡 Calculated Judicial Order: Parent A pays $1,356/month in guideline child support to Parent B.
State Legal Questions

Georgia Child Support Guidelines FAQ

How does Georgia calculate child support under the Income Shares Model?

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, Georgia courts combine the monthly gross incomes of both parents to determine the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) from the statutory schedule. Each parent is responsible for a pro-rata percentage of the BCSO based on their share of combined income.

How is 50/50 custody handled in Georgia child support?

Georgia does not eliminate child support in 50/50 custody. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(i)(2)(K), a Parenting Time Deviation is entered on Schedule E when parenting time exceeds typical visitation. Courts apply a reciprocal calculation where the higher-earning parent pays the difference in proportional obligations.

What is the high-income threshold in Georgia child support?

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(h)(1), the statutory BCSO schedule caps combined income at $30,000 per month ($360,000 per year). For parental earnings above this cap, the court awards the guideline maximum plus an additional amount based on the child’s documented lifestyle and educational needs.

How are health insurance premiums allocated on Georgia Schedule B?

Work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums for the minor children are added to the basic support obligation on Schedule B. Whichever parent pays the insurance carrier receives a credit against their monthly support obligation.

Administrative & Interstate Framework

Georgia Title IV-D Agency & Interstate Support Framework

Official State Enforcement

Georgia Family Support Registry (FSR) & Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) processes payments through the Family Support Registry (FSR) and enforces delinquent orders via mandatory Income Deduction Orders (IDO), Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) license suspensions, Georgia Lottery prize intercepts, and Fatherhood/Parental Accountability Court programs.

Arrears Interest Rule: 7% per annum simple interest on unpaid installments at judicial discretion (O.C.G.A. § 7-4-12.1)
Emancipation Age: Age 18 (or up to Age 20 if enrolled full-time in secondary high school under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(e))
Mandatory Court Worksheet: Child Support Worksheet (Schedules A through E) (Georgia Child Support Worksheet)
O.C.G.A. §§ 19-11-100 through 19-11-191 (Georgia UIFSA)

Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction (CEJ) in Georgia

Under O.C.G.A. § 19-11-114, Georgia Superior Courts maintain Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction over Georgia child support decrees while either parent or the child resides in Georgia. Under Georgia’s two-year modification rule (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(k)), interstate modifications filed in Georgia must also satisfy statutory variance and timing requirements.

Read Interstate Child Support & UIFSA Guide →