Parents often ask if they have to pay child support, and the simple answer is yes. Georgia, like all states, believes that child support is a parental obligation based on public policy. Child support belongs to the child not to the parents; therefore parents cannot negotiate away that obligation.
Child support is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent “or other person to whom the custody of the child or children is awarded.” O.C.G.A. § 19-6-17. The amount of child support starts with the Georgia Child Support Commission. This organization has “the purpose of studying and collecting information and data relating to awards of child support and to create and revise the child support obligation table.” Georgia Courts. The Georgia Child Support Commission publishes child support calculators to determine a presumptive child support amount. Georgia Child Support Commission Calculators. This presumptive amount can be deviated upon judicial approval.
It is important to have the child support calculator correctly completed to determine a child’s appropriate child support amount. If you have questions about determining your child’s support amount, call our office today for your free initial 30-minute consultation! 770.466.2700