Georgia Child Support Calculator 2026 – OCGA 19-6-15 Income Shares Guidelines
Use our free georgia child support calculator for 2026 to estimate guideline support under Official Code of Georgia Annotated 19-6-15. This official georgia child support calculator uses Income Shares Model. Therefore, the court estimates what parents would have spent on child if household stayed together and splits cost based on each parent’s share of total income. For example, entire process runs through state-provided calculator that produces court-ready worksheet per OCGA 19-6-15. In addition, effective Jan 1, 2026, guidelines exclude dependent adult children per new 19-6-15.1. As a result, our georgia child support calculator gives accurate 2026 estimate.
Combined adjusted income $800-$40k/mo • High income over $30k/mo deviation • Low income $100 min • Parenting time Schedule C
How Georgia Guidelines Works Under OCGA 19-6-15 in 2026
Georgia calculation follows specific sequence laid out in OCGA 19-6-15 when using georgia child support calculator: determine each parent’s gross income, subtract certain allowed deductions, combine adjusted figures, look up base obligation, add mandatory expenses, and then consider whether any deviation applies. Because of this process, georgia child support calculator reflects income shares. In addition, presumptive amount includes health insurance and work-related child care costs per 19-6-15(a)(19).
Step 1 – Determine Gross Income Under Georgia Law
Calculation starts with each parent’s monthly gross income meaning everything earned before taxes when using Georgia child support calculator. Georgia statute casts wide net for what counts. Obvious sources are wages, salary, commissions, tips, bonuses. Self-employment income is gross receipts minus ordinary and reasonable business expenses. Variable income like overtime, bonuses, commissions averaged over reasonable period so one-time windfall does not skew result. Beyond earned income, statute also includes Social Security disability and retirement benefits, workers compensation, unemployment insurance benefits. Even non-cash perks like employer-provided housing or company vehicle can be counted if they meaningfully reduce parent’s living expenses. You will want recent pay stubs, W-2s, at least last two years tax returns. Underreporting income is fastest way to end up back in court. Learn more with our Texas Support Guidelines percentage model, and California Support Guidelines K-factor formula.
Step 2 – Adjustments and Basic Obligation Table $800-$40K
Once gross income set, certain deductions bring it down to what Georgia calls adjusted income when using Georgia child support calculator. These adjustments governed by OCGA 19-6-15(f)(5) and entered on Schedule B. Three categories allowed: Self-employment taxes: self-employed parent deducts one-half of self-employment and Medicare taxes, calculated as 6.2% of self-employment income up to Social Security wage base plus 1.45% for Medicare. This creates rough parity with W-2 employees. Preexisting child support orders: if parent already pays support for child from different case under court order in place at least 12 months, that payment subtracted. Theoretical support for other qualified children: parent supporting other biological or adopted children living in home who aren’t part of this case may receive credit based on hypothetical support order for those children if court allows. These adjustments happen before two parents’ incomes combined, so they directly affect each parent’s percentage share. After adjustments, two parents’ monthly adjusted incomes added together. That combined figure plugged into Georgia’s Basic Child Support Obligation Table, which assigns base dollar amount depending on how many children need support. Table covers combined monthly income from $800 up to $40,000, and amounts derived from economic data estimating what intact families at each income level spend on children. Each parent’s share of base obligation proportional to share of combined adjusted income. For example, if one parent earns 65% total and other 35%, obligation splits along same lines.
Official table source: Georgia Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations at https://www.csc.georgia.gov/basic-child-support-obligation-table and OCGA 19-6-15 at https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-19/section-19-6-15/
Step 3: Add-On Expenses: Health Insurance & Childcare
Base obligation table does not include three categories expenses that get layered on top when using georgia child support calculator: child’s health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and uninsured health care expenses. These costs prorated between parents using same income percentages that split base obligation. Health insurance means portion of parent’s premium that covers child specifically, not parent’s own coverage. If noncustodial parent pays premium, amount credited against obligation so they aren’t paying twice. Work-related childcare covers cost of care that allows parent to hold job or attend school, courts expect costs reasonable for area. Uninsured health care expenses include copayments, deductibles, orthodontia, therapy, vision care, other medical costs not covered by insurance. Once all three add-ons prorated and combined with base obligation, result is presumptive amount of child support per georgia child support calculator. Compare with Florida child support calculator that includes health insurance and childcare, and Ohio child support calculator that includes health and childcare.
Georgia Child Support Calculator Step 4 – Parenting Time Schedule C Deviation
When noncustodial parent has significant court-ordered overnight time with child, court factors in duplicate housing and food costs that parent incurs when using georgia child support calculator. This calculated on Schedule C of worksheet per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(K). Current guidelines premised on rebuttable presumption that each parent should contribute in same proportion as parent’s income relates to sum without regard to amount of time child spends with each parent, but parenting time deviation allows adjustment. Therefore, georgia child support calculator parenting time adjustment is deviation category, not automatic percentage. No deviation allowed if would leave custodial parent unable to maintain basic housing, food, clothing for child. For any deviation request, bring receipts, contracts. Judge who sees hard numbers more likely to grant deviation. Deviation must appear on worksheet itself with specific dollar amount and written justification. Use Pennsylvania child support calculator to see 40% custody reduction, and Illinois child support calculator for 146+ shared care.
Georgia Child Support Calculator Step 5 – High Income and Low Income Deviations
If parents’ combined adjusted income exceeds $30,000 per month, parents considered high-income per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(A). Highest combined adjusted income reflected in schedule is $30,000 per month for which presumptive monthly child support shown, plus table extends to $40,000 per month with amounts $3,222 for one child up to $7,375 for six children at $40k. See OCGA 19-6-15(o). Guidelines permit deviations from presumptive amount including high income per 19-6-15(b)(8)(A). Court sets base obligation at table’s highest level but may deviate upward to reflect child’s actual standard of living. Therefore, georgia child support calculator shows $40k as top then notes high-income deviation. For low income, court has discretion to reduce obligation when parent’s income so low that paying presumptive would create hardship per 19-6-15(i)(2)(B). Even if low-income deviation granted, minimum child support for one child shall not be less than $100 per month and increased by at least $50 for each additional child per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(B)(v). Therefore, georgia child support calculator applies $100 + $50 per child minimum. Also new law effective Jan 1, 2026 excludes dependent adult children per 19-6-15.1, support for adult children with disabilities now governed by separate provision rather than standard worksheet.
See North Carolina child support calculator for $40k cap similar
Example Calculation Using Income Shares
Suppose Parent 1 adjusted monthly gross $5,000 and Parent 2 $3,500. Combined $8,500. For 2 children, basic obligation about $2,100 using georgia child support calculator. Parent 1 share 58.8% = $1,235, Parent 2 share 41.2% = $865. Standard without parenting adjustment, noncustodial Parent 1 pays $1,235 plus add-ons $400 x 58.8% = $235 total $1,470 per month presumptive. However, if Parent 1 has extended parenting time 20%+ time, Schedule C adjustment for duplicated housing/food costs may reduce: $1,470 x 0.85 = $1,249. If equal 50% time, may reduce further significantly but not eliminate if incomes differ. As a result, georgia child support calculator shows parenting time matters but is discretionary deviation not automatic. In contrast, if combined $35,000 for one child, basic at $40k is $3,222, plus court may deviate upward per standard of living.
Official State Resources and Filing Information
For official calculation, use Georgia Child Support Commission official online calculator at https://www.csc.georgia.gov/georgia-child-support-calculator that automates entire process from income entry through final worksheet per OCGA 19-6-15. It generates PDF worksheet required attachment to child support order. Print and sign it. Most Georgia superior courts accept filings through electronic filing system. Filing fees typically $210-$220 plus service fees. Worksheet not optional. If you show up without completed worksheet, most judges will continue case until you file. Calculator produces presumptive figure, but judge has final authority. Once judge signs order, worksheet becomes part of permanent court record and baseline for future modification. Also income withholding order directs paying parent’s employer to deduct directly. Support generally continues until child turns 18 or graduates high school whichever later, if still in high school past 18 extends until graduation but not beyond 20th birthday. For children with disability began before 18 and prevents self-supporting, obligation can continue indefinitely per new 19-6-15.1 effective Jan 1, 2026. SupportCalcUSA.com not affiliated with Georgia courts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Income Shares Model under OCGA 19-6-15 per Georgia Child Support Commission. Determine each parent monthly gross income before taxes, subtract allowed deductions: half self-employment taxes 6.2% up to wage base +1.45% Medicare, preexisting child support orders in place 12+ months, theoretical support for other qualified children living in home (Schedule B). Combine adjusted incomes, lookup base obligation on Basic Child Support Obligation Table covering $800-$40,000 combined monthly by children, split proportionally by income share, add health insurance premiums covering child, work-related childcare, uninsured health care prorated, result presumptive amount. Georgia child support calculator uses this sequence.
Depends on combined adjusted income using georgia child support calculator. At $5,000 combined, one child about $1,000 basic. At $10,000 combined, one child $1,550. At $40,000 combined, one child $3,222 presumptive per table. Split proportionally: if Parent 1 $3,000 (60%) and Parent 2 $2,000 (40%) of $5,000 combined, Parent 1 share 60% of $1,000 = $600 if Parent 2 custodial before add-ons. Add health insurance and childcare proportionally.
When noncustodial parent has significant court-ordered overnight time, court factors in duplicate housing and food costs that parent incurs. Calculated on Schedule C of worksheet per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(K). Current guidelines premised on rebuttable presumption that each parent contributes same proportion as income relates to sum without regard to time, but Schedule C deviation allows adjustment for significant time. No deviation allowed if would leave custodial unable to maintain basic housing, food, clothing. Georgia child support calculator includes parenting time option for this deviation.
No. Georgia does not have automatic 50/50 zero formula. Parenting time is deviation factor, discretionary, must be in best interest. Even with equal time, higher earner usually still pays because income shares model based on proportion of income. Georgia child support calculator shows reduction for equal time but not elimination if incomes differ. Must appear on worksheet with specific dollar amount and written justification.
Parents considered high-income if combined adjusted income exceeds $30,000 per month per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(A). Highest combined reflected in schedule is $30,000, table extends to $40,000 per month with amounts $3,222 for one child up to $7,375 for six children at $40k. Over $30k, court may deviate upward to reflect child’s actual standard of living per 19-6-15(b)(8)(A). Over $40k, court sets at table highest level plus upward deviation per best interest. Georgia child support calculator shows top amount and notes high-income deviation.
Court has discretion to reduce obligation when income so low that paying presumptive would create genuine hardship per 19-6-15(i)(2)(B). Even if low-income deviation granted, minimum for one child shall not be less than $100 per month and increased by at least $50 for each additional child per OCGA 19-6-15(i)(2)(B)(v). Therefore, one child $100, two $150, three $200 minimum. Georgia child support calculator applies this minimum.
Yes, added on top of base obligation and prorated using same income percentages. Health insurance means portion of premium covering child specifically, not parent’s own coverage. If noncustodial pays premium, amount credited against obligation so not paying twice. Work-related childcare covers reasonable cost of care that allows parent to hold job or attend school. Uninsured health care includes copayments, deductibles, orthodontia, therapy, vision. Georgia child support calculator includes add-ons field for these.
Generally continues until child turns 18 or graduates high school whichever happens later. If still in high school past 18, extends until graduation but cannot continue beyond child’s 20th birthday regardless whether finished school. Ends if child marries, emancipated by court order, or enters active military duty. For children with physical or mental disability began before 18 and prevents self-supporting, obligation can continue indefinitely. As of Jan 1, 2026, dependent adult children excluded from standard guidelines per new Code 19-6-15.1 and governed by separate provision. Georgia child support calculator notes 18/20 rule.
Yes, either parent can petition to modify when substantial change in income or financial status or change in needs of child per OCGA 19-6-15(k). Common triggers: job loss, significant raise, new medical expenses, custody arrangement change. Standard benchmark if running numbers under current circumstances produces result differing meaningfully from existing order, court likely to grant. Where existing order predates Jan 1, 2007 when Georgia switched to income shares, and recalculated differs by 30% or more, court can phase in new amount over up to two years to soften shock. Must file new completed worksheet with updated data.
Estimate only based on OCGA 19-6-15 Basic Child Support Obligation Table $800-$40,000 combined adjusted income, income shares model, Schedule B adjustments half SE taxes 6.2% +1.45%, preexisting orders, qualified other children credits, Schedule C parenting time deviation for duplicated costs, high income over $30k deviation per 19-6-15(i)(2)(A) and over $40k per 19-6-15(b)(8)(A), low income minimum $100 + $50 per additional per 19-6-15(i)(2)(B)(v), new law Jan 1, 2026 excluding dependent adult children per 19-6-15.1. Actual order uses Georgia Child Support Commission official online calculator at https://www.csc.georgia.gov/georgia-child-support-calculator that generates court-ready worksheet, judge has final authority, must make written findings for deviation per best interest. Not legal advice. Verify with official commission.