Georgia Child Support Calculator

Estimate Georgia child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Georgia follows the Income Shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Georgia treats parenting time as a deviation factor rather than a fixed credit built into the basic formula. The guideline first sets each parent's share based on combined gross income, and a judge may then adjust the number up or down based on the actual parenting time schedule. There is no automatic overnight credit, so more time with the children does not lower support by a set amount. Any parenting time deviation must be written into the order with the court's reasons.

Under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15, the cost of the child's health insurance premium is added to the basic support obligation. That added cost is then prorated between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of combined gross income. The parent who actually pays the premium usually receives credit for it on the worksheet. This means the final order reflects the children's coverage cost on top of the base guideline amount.

Work-related child care, such as daycare needed so a parent can work, is also added to the basic obligation in Georgia and split between the parents by their income shares. Like health insurance, it is treated as a mandatory add-on rather than a discretionary extra. You should bring proof of the actual child care cost, because the calculator uses your real figures to estimate each parent's portion of these expenses.

Georgia law gives judges an extensive list of statutory deviation factors, including parenting time, high or low income, extraordinary educational expenses, and other support obligations. A court can move away from the presumptive guideline number only by making written findings that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate and that the deviation serves the child's best interest. The parent asking for a deviation generally has to prove it, so come prepared with documentation supporting the request.

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 first combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That obligation is prorated between the parents by each one's percentage share of the combined income. Mandatory add-ons such as the child's health insurance premium and work-related child care are added in and split the same way. A judge can then apply deviation factors. The calculator on this page gives an estimate only and is not legal advice; the official worksheet and a licensed attorney control.

Is there an official Georgia child support worksheet I have to use?

Yes. Georgia provides an official Child Support Worksheet, and the state runs an online calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov that produces it. That worksheet, built on the guideline schedule in O.C.G.A. 19-6-15, is the controlling form that judges rely on, and a completed worksheet is normally filed with the court in your case. The estimator on this page is a helpful preview, but it does not replace the official worksheet. For a number a judge will accept, complete the state's worksheet and have a licensed Georgia attorney review it before you file.

What income counts when figuring Georgia child support?

Georgia is a gross income state, so the calculation starts with income before taxes. O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 defines gross income broadly to include wages, salaries, commissions, self-employment earnings, fringe benefits, severance, recurring overtime, bonuses, interest, dividends, rental income, trust income, retirement, Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, and capital gains. Because so many sources count, self-employed and commission-based parents should expect their full earnings to be examined. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services and the courts can look behind a single paystub, so gather complete records before relying on any estimate from this page.

How do bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income affect my Georgia number?

They usually raise it. Georgia's gross income definition under O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 specifically includes recurring overtime, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment earnings, so a parent cannot leave them out just because they are not from a regular salary. For self-employment, the court looks at gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, not personal write-offs. If your pay swings month to month, the court may average it to reach a fair monthly figure. Enter realistic average earnings into the calculator, but remember the official worksheet and a judge make the binding determination.

Can a Georgia judge order something different from the guideline amount?

Yes, through a deviation. O.C.G.A. 19-6-15 lists many statutory deviation factors, including parenting time, high or low income, extraordinary educational expenses, and other support obligations the parent already pays. To deviate, the court must make written findings that the presumptive guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate and that the change is in the child's best interest. The parent requesting the deviation generally bears the burden of proving it. Because deviations are fact-specific, the estimate here may not match a final order; treat the worksheet number as a starting point and consult an attorney.

How is the Georgia child support order enforced if a parent stops paying?

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services, known as DCSS, has strong enforcement tools. These include immediate income withholding from a paycheck, intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's and professional licenses, reporting the debt to credit bureaus, denying passports, filing liens, and pursuing contempt actions that can carry the threat of jail. Unpaid support also builds into arrears that keep accruing until paid. If you have fallen behind or are owed support, contact DCSS or a licensed attorney rather than relying on this estimator, which only projects a current monthly obligation.

When does child support end in Georgia, and when can an order be changed?

Georgia child support generally ends when the child turns 18, but it continues until the child graduates from secondary school, and never past age 20, whichever comes later. An adult child with a permanent disability that began before reaching majority may receive continuing support. To change an existing order, a parent files a modification petition in superior court. Generally a two-year wait applies between modifications unless there is a substantial change in income, financial status, or the needs of the child that justifies an earlier review. The calculator cannot decide these timing rules for your case.