New Law in Georgia Gives Parents a New Way to Reduce Child Support
If you feel like you’re paying too much each month in child support, you might be right. A recent change in the child support law in Georgia could allow you to reduce your financial burden with greater ease. This change in the law requires courts to consider parenting time when calculating child support, which could lead to a lower child support obligation for some parents. Whether your specific circumstances support a modification of child support may be worth exploring with the guidance of an experienced Atlanta family law attorney.
Georgia Launches New Child Support Calculations for 2026 and Beyond
In January of 2026, the State of Georgia implemented a new method for calculating child support. The new formula applies to all child support proceedings after January 1, 2026, and may significantly impact child support determinations. It could also allow parents to modify their existing child support agreements to align their current obligation with the new calculation method.
With this new formula, courts are now required to also consider the number of overnights the child spends in each parent’s care when determining the appropriate amount of child support. In other words, the more parenting time you have, the lower your child support obligation may be. This makes sense from both a logical and an ethical perspective. The purpose of child support is to help cover the costs for caring for the child. The more time a parent spends caring for their child, the more of these costs they’ll incur, and the new child support calculation method was designed to account for that reality.
Can I Reduce My Child Support With This New Law?
Under the new Georgia child support statute, if you are eligible for a modification to your child support obligation, you may receive a reduction in your obligation relative to the amount of overnight parenting time you have with your child. Specifically, if you already have a substantial amount of parenting time with your child, upon the showing of a substantial change in either parent’s income and financial status or the needs of the child, you may be able to file a petition with the court to reduce your child support obligation in accordance with the number of overnights your child spends in your care.
If you are already petitioning the court for an increase in parenting time, the new law may also allow you to seek a reduction in your monthly child support obligation in accordance with the increase in your parenting time. Therefore, you may consider filing a petition to modify parenting time and child support with help from an experienced family law attorney in Atlanta.
Can a Child Support Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me?
If you’re serious about reducing your child support, consider a consultation with an Atlanta child support lawyer. These legal professionals can guide you toward a positive outcome, and this new law may give you an opportunity to file a modification petition. To learn more about your options, consider a consultation with Kaye, Lembeck, Hitt & French.
Source:
ledger-enquirer.com/news/state/georgia/article314457940.html
