Child Support in Georgia: The Guidelines, the 2026 Parenting Time Adjustment and the Calculator
Georgia family law · Last reviewed October 9, 2026
Georgia sets child support with income shares guidelines in O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, administered by the Georgia Child Support Commission. The guidelines changed significantly in the last two years:
- July 1, 2024: a new Basic Child Support Obligation table took effect, the first update since 2006. It now runs to $40,000 of combined monthly adjusted income, up from $30,000.
- January 1, 2026: a new parenting time adjustment and low-income adjustment replaced the old discretionary deviations for those situations.
The official Georgia child support calculator applies both.
How the calculation works
- Gross income. Each parent's income from all sources, including self-employment income (receipts minus ordinary and reasonable business expenses).
- Adjusted income. Subtract half of any self-employment tax, support already paid under preexisting orders, and, if the court allows, a theoretical amount for other children living with the parent.
- Combine the parents' adjusted incomes.
- Look up the basic obligation on the table for that combined income and the number of children. The table amount is "rebuttably presumed to be appropriate."
- Split it by income. Each parent's share matches his or her percentage of the combined income.
- Apply the parenting time adjustment.
- Add health insurance and work-related child care, divided by income.
- Apply any deviations the court finds justified, with written findings.
The parenting time adjustment (since January 1, 2026)
The new adjustment reduces the noncustodial parent's share based on court-ordered parenting time, measured in days (overnights, or regular daytime hours divided by 24, averaged over two years). The formula raises each parent's days to the power of 2.5, so the adjustment grows quickly as time approaches equal. Under § 19-6-15(g), the adjustment:
could reduce the noncustodial parent's share of the basic child support obligation amount to zero or, in some circumstances where the custodial parent's gross income exceeds the noncustodial parent's gross income, increase the custodial parent's amount of the basic child support obligation to an amount higher than the noncustodial parent.
Only court-ordered parenting time counts. The Child Support Commission's instructions call for the two parents' days to total 365, with the noncustodial parent at 182.5 days or fewer.
Low incomes (since January 1, 2026)
The low-income adjustment caps support for a parent with low adjusted income. The parent pays the lesser of the presumptive amount or the amount in the low-income table; at or below $1,500 a month of adjusted income, support is capped at a percentage of income, from 19% for one child to 28% for six. The calculator applies it automatically.
High incomes
For combined adjusted income above $40,000 a month, the court uses the top amount on the table and may consider an upward deviation.
Deviations
The court (or a jury) can depart from the presumptive amount for specific reasons listed in the statute, such as high income, other health insurance, life insurance, travel expenses, alimony paid, mortgage payments, and extraordinary educational, medical or special expenses, or for other reasons in the child's best interest. Special expenses such as camps, lessons and activities count as a deviation only to the extent they exceed 7% of the basic obligation. Every deviation requires written findings.
How long support lasts
Under § 19-6-15(e), support continues until the child reaches majority (18), dies, marries, or becomes emancipated. For a child who turns 18 while still in high school, the court "may direct" support to continue, but "such financial assistance shall not be required after a child attains 20 years of age." Continuing support past 18 is discretionary, not automatic, so make sure your order addresses it.
Since July 1, 2024, Georgia law also allows support for certain dependent adult children with disabilities, under separate provisions (O.C.G.A. §§ 19-6-15.1 and 19-6-15.2).
Changing a support order
Either parent can ask to modify support after a substantial change in either parent's income and financial status or in the child's needs (§ 19-6-15(k)). A parent who has already petitioned generally can't file again for two years after the final order on the earlier petition, with exceptions such as parenting time not being exercised as ordered or an involuntary loss of income.
Getting help collecting support
The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) of the Georgia Department of Human Services establishes and enforces orders. Applicants who don't receive TANF or certain Medicaid pay a $25 application fee, and a review of an existing order costs $100. DCSS doesn't handle custody or visitation.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
With income shares: the parents' adjusted incomes are combined, the basic obligation is read from the state table, and each parent's share matches his or her share of the income. Since January 1, 2026, a parenting time adjustment reduces the noncustodial parent's share based on court-ordered parenting time.
What changed in Georgia child support in 2026?
On January 1, 2026, a formula-based parenting time adjustment and a low-income adjustment replaced the old deviations. The new basic obligation table had already taken effect July 1, 2024.
Do I pay child support with 50/50 custody in Georgia?
It depends on incomes. With equal time, the parenting time adjustment can reduce support sharply, to zero if incomes are equal, but the higher earner may still pay.
When does child support end in Georgia?
At 18, unless the court orders support to continue for a child still in high school, which can last until age 20 at the latest.
Is there an official Georgia child support calculator?
Yes. The Georgia Child Support Commission's online calculator (version 2.1, released January 2, 2026) applies the current guidelines, including the 2026 adjustments.