Atlanta Child Support Lawyer

Need Legal Assistance in Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Forsyth & Fulton County?

The state of Georgia requires parents to financially support their children. This support is considered to be the right of the child, not the decision of a parent. Child support is generally paid by the parent who spends less time with the child and is designed to help finance the child’s material needs in terms of food, clothing, shelter, daycare, schooling, healthcare, and other daily requirements. 

While Georgia provides guidelines for the calculation of child support, the determination of this payment can be quite complex. While a mechanical application of the guidelines can produce a number, many factors can impact that number, resulting in an increase or decrease in the amount to be paid. If you need legal help in seeking or contesting child support, in enforcing, or in modifying an existing support order, Rob can help, as he has been representing parents in child support cases for more than 40 years; and can apply his extensive experience, both at the settlement table and in court, to help you obtain a fair and just result. 

Schedule a free case evaluation with Rob about your case. Submit your contact details online or call Robert G. Wellon Attorney & Counselor at Law at (404) 856-3241.

Child Support in Georgia

The calculation of child support starts with determining who is the “custodial” parent and who is the “non-custodial” parent. Generally, the custodial parent is the one who has physical custody of the child for a larger portion of time. This is the parent who will receive support payments. 

The calculation starts with the gross income of both parents. Factors that will adjust this amount include any support being paid for other children or possible theoretical order that has fathered a child(ren). A further calculation will produce a pro-rata percentage of what the support obligation will be. This is then adjusted by health insurance costs, work-related child care expenses, and other specific factors that can raise or lower the final amount including a possible deviation for parenting time with the child(ren). Once this amount is determined, it may again be adjusted by the court when reviewing the case in terms of what is in the best interests of the child. 

Child support generally ends when the child turns 18, marries, dies, or becomes emancipated. However, it can be ordered to continue until the child graduates from high school, if that is a factor. Courts cannot extend support past the age of 20. 

Rob is well-versed in how to apply state guidelines in calculating a support payment, including using all the variables and factors that can impact its outcome, as well as presenting well-prepared cases to the court that protect your rights while preserving your child’s best interests. 

For a free consultation, call (404) 856-3241 or fill out an online contact form.