Georgia Child Support Updates

Child Support

Jul 29, 2024 | Content

If you are a parent who shares custody of your child, you are likely well aware of how variable child custody agreements and child support payments can be. Both custody arrangements and child support payments typically depend on parental income. As a result, some of the laws in place regarding child support can be somewhat variable and unpredictable. However, a recent bill passed in Georgia stands to create a new precedent for codifying how child support is calculated.

Changes Introduced By New Law

Senate Bill 454 was recently signed into Georgia law by Governor Brian Kemp. This law will introduce a number of changes to the way child support payments are calculated. Parents across Georgia, regardless of socioeconomic status, will be affected by this new legislation. Put simply, this bill will effectively increase the basic child support calculations across income levels in an effort to account for the increased cost of raising children. This change is reflected in the basic child support obligation table by which all parents are bound.

An upcoming change to the law will also consider parenting time when calculating child support. Adjustments to child support are currently subject to party negotiations or individual judges’ discretion, but in 2026 they will become more standardized in order to reflect more accurately the time and money spent by each party. Indeed, this is especially important when considering the increase in 50/50 custody agreements, which have historically made child support calculations challenging to determine.

Critical Timelines To Be Aware Of

By this point, you are likely wondering when these changes will go into effect, especially if they directly impact you and your finances. The BCSO table went into effect on July 1st, 2024, meaning you may see changes relatively soon, if not already. The rest of the law does not take effect until much later. With respect to the parental time adjustment portion of the law, that does not begin until January 1st, 2026. This means that you will be responsible for your current child support payments, determined by the new BCSO table and income, regardless of how these new adjustments based on parental time apply to you until that date.

How This Could Impact You

While these changes to child support laws are being put in place to account for the increased cost of living, we recognize that they can also be challenging to understand, especially when considering your unique custody or financial situation. At Atlanta Divorce Law Group, we are committed to helping you and your family mitigate uncertainty each step of the way. Call our office to be connected with an experienced divorce attorney and start preparing for your future today!

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Georgia Child Support Updates

Changes Introduced By New Law

Critical Timelines To Be Aware Of

How This Could Impact You

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