As a parent, you want to prioritize your child’s well-being, especially after a divorce from your ex-spouse. Aside from providing emotional support, your child also deserves the financial support they need to thrive and maintain a consistent quality of life.
Considering the parent’s income
One of the primary factors in calculating child support is the income of both parents, after certain deductions and adjustments. This includes earnings from employment, self-employment, investments, and various other sources.
Determining the basic obligation
After the income assessment, the parent can consult the state’s child support obligation tables. This provides a baseline amount for the estimated costs of raising a child based on the combined adjusted incomes of the parents and the number of children involved.
Proportional allocation
The basic obligation depends on each parent’s share of the combined adjusted income. This means the parent earning a higher income will shoulder a larger portion of the basic obligation.
Custody arrangements
The custodial arrangement for the child(ren) also plays a significant role in the final child support calculation. If one parent has primary physical custody, the other parent’s allocated share of the basic obligation typically becomes the monthly child support payment owed.
Potential modifications
Georgia laws allow changes from the probable amount in certain circumstances, such as when additional expenses or unique situations exist. These deviations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must be deemed appropriate and in the best interests of the child(ren).
Various other elements may influence the child support calculation process. These can include health insurance costs, child care expenses and the potential for cited income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
Securing financial support
Divorce can be emotionally and mentally exhausting, but ensuring your child’s financial security should not be stressful. It is important to note that individual cases may have unique circumstances that could impact the outcome, to fully understand the complexities of child support, you may reach out to a legal professional to secure the resources your child deserves, regardless of the challenges of co-parenting after separation.
