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State Guide · Georgia
Child Support in Georgia: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Georgia child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
The statutory table (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15) that sets the total support amount for a combined adjusted income and number of children; each parent pays their pro-rata share.
Georgia uses the Income Shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Each parent's gross monthly income is adjusted (preexisting support orders, self-employment FICA, credit for other children in the home) to adjusted gross income; the combined figure is applied to the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table covering $800–$40,000/mo combined. The noncustodial parent owes their pro-rata share plus a share of health insurance and work-related childcare; a parenting-time adjustment and a low-income adjustment can modify the presumptive amount, and deviations require written findings.
Open the Georgia child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Georgia calculator.
How a support order is established in Georgia
Apply for services through the Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) or file in court.
Establish paternity if unmarried (voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered testing).
Both parents provide income and expense information; use the official Georgia Child Support Calculator (csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov) to produce the worksheet.
The court enters a support order based on the presumptive amount from the worksheet; deviations need findings.
Payments are typically by income withholding; DCSS handles enforcement.
To modify, file a modification action showing a change in circumstances; the worksheet is recalculated.
Worked examples
Illustrative example — pro-rata share (two children) — Parent A adjusted gross $3,600/mo; Parent B $2,400/mo; combined $6,000/mo; two children; child health insurance $200/mo; childcare $300/mo. Parent A = 60% of combined. BCSO for $6,000 combined and two children ≈ $1,404 (illustrative schedule figure). Add-ons = $500. Parent A\'s share = 0.60 × ($1,404 + $500) ≈ $1,142/mo. Each parent pays their percentage of combined adjusted income times the basic obligation plus add-ons.
Illustrative example — low-income adjustment — Obligor adjusted gross $1,200/mo, one child; presumptive share would exceed 19% of adjusted gross. Georgia\'s low-income adjustment caps the obligation at a percentage of adjusted gross income (e.g., 19% for one child), reducing the order to that cap so the parent can meet basic living expenses. Low-income parents are protected by a percentage-of-income cap so support doesn\'t drop below self-sufficiency.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Georgia can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) — https://childsupport.georgia.gov
Georgia Child Support Commission — Official Calculator — https://csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov
What is the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO)?
The statutory table (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15) that sets the total support amount for a combined adjusted income and number of children; each parent pays their pro-rata share.
How does parenting time affect the amount?
A parenting-time adjustment reduces (or can shift) the noncustodial parent\'s share based on court-ordered days with the child.
Is there relief for very low incomes?
Yes. A low-income adjustment caps the obligation as a percentage of adjusted gross income to protect basic self-support.
Can the court deviate from the guideline?
Yes, with written findings; the guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption.
When does support end?
Generally at age 18, or 20 if the child is still in high school.
Where do I calculate the official worksheet?
Use the Georgia Child Support Commission\'s official online calculator at csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov.
Georgia child support calculator
Estimate for Georgia
Georgia uses the Income Shares model.
Enter adjusted gross monthly income (gross minus mandated deductions).
Georgia Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: adjusted gross · Statute: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$1,003.89per month
Official schedule: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 Basic Child Support Obligation Table (subsection (o)), post-7/1/2024 (2024)
Annual estimate$12,046.68
Effective rate20.1%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Georgia schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$1,807
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$1,004
Estimated monthly support
$1,004
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $1,004 Other parent: $803
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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