How Do You Run the Georgia Child Support Calculation?

Navigating child support in Georgia can feel overwhelming, but understanding how the calculation works empowers parents to make informed decisions. Whether you’re entering into a new custody arrangement or modifying an existing one, knowing how to use Georgia’s child support worksheet is an important step in securing fair support for your children.

Understanding the Basics of Georgia’s Child Support Worksheet

The Georgia child support calculator is an online tool that determines a presumptive child support amount based on both parents’ gross income and specific expenses. To begin, you’ll need to create an account on the official Georgia Child Support Commission website.

Here’s the initial information you’ll need to enter:

• Full names of both parents

• County and court jurisdiction

• Names and birth years of all children involved

Gross Income: What Counts (and What Doesn’t)

Georgia law bases child support on gross monthly income—not after-tax income. It’s important to avoid relying on W-2s or tax returns alone, as those may not accurately reflect what the law considers income for support purposes.

To determine gross income:

• Use the most recent two pay stubs

• Review the final pay stub from the previous year

• Factor in all earnings, including bonuses and non-guaranteed income

If income fluctuates significantly, averaging earnings over the past 2–3 years can provide a more accurate figure.

What About Pre-Tax Deductions and Variable Income?

Pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums or 401(k) contributions still count as income in the child support calculation. The goal is to measure your actual earning power, not your take-home pay.

If a parent is underemployed or unemployed but capable of working, the court can impute income—meaning assign an income value to that parent based on work history, qualifications, or local job market data. The worksheet includes a specific line to add this imputed income.

Including Children’s Health Insurance Costs

The child’s portion of any health insurance premium should also be entered into the worksheet. This is not the total cost of family coverage, but the difference between:

• The cost of insuring the parent alone, and

• The cost of insuring the parent plus the children

This allows the court to fairly divide this necessary expense between the parties.

Childcare Expenses: Worksheet or Reimbursement?

Parents can choose whether to include childcare costs directly in the worksheet or to handle them separately as reimbursements. Because childcare expenses often fluctuate, many prefer reimbursement to avoid frequent modifications to the order. This is especially practical in cases involving infants, after-school care, or seasonal care arrangements.

Special Cases: Self-Employment and Deviations

In more complex cases—such as when one parent is self-employed—additional scrutiny is required. Business income, unreported cash income, or irregular bonuses may all be relevant. These cases may also allow for deviations from the base child support amount, either upward or downward, depending on unique circumstances.

If you’re facing a situation like this, working with a knowledgeable attorney is the best way to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Through our child support services, we help Georgia families understand and manage these calculations with confidence.

Schedule a discovery call to learn how we can support you.