Child Support

In 2007, the State of Georgia revised the way that child support is calculated. Georgia law now makes both parents responsible for their children’s financial support and considers not only each party’s income and ability to earn income but also, the expenses parents pay on behalf of their children, including, but not limited to, health insurance, extracurricular activities, educational expenses, and child care expenses. The divorce attorneys at The Schachter Law Firm, LLC have experience and training on which you can rely to prepare and advocate for the appropriate child support award for your children.

2026 Update: Georgia’s Mandatory Parenting Time Adjustment

Effective January 1, 2026, Georgia enacted significant changes to how child support is calculated under Senate Bill 454 (SB 454). The most notable change is that the old discretionary “parenting time deviation” has been replaced by a mandatory “parenting time adjustment.” Under the previous law, courts had the option of factoring in the amount of time each parent spent with the child when calculating support. Now, under the updated O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, courts are required to apply a parenting time adjustment using Schedule C of the child support worksheet whenever parenting time is court-ordered and properly documented.

This means that the number of overnights each parent has with the child directly affects the final child support figure. The more time a noncustodial parent spends with the child, the greater the reduction in their child support obligation. This change is especially impactful in shared custody arrangements or cases where both parents have substantial parenting time.

Immediate Right to Seek a Child Support Modification

One of the most significant consequences of this law change is that parents whose child support was calculated under the old formula — without a parenting time deviation — may now file to modify their child support immediately, regardless of when the existing order was entered. Ordinarily, Georgia law requires a two-year waiting period before a party can seek a modification of child support, unless certain exceptions apply, such as a significant change in either party’s income or a relocation. However, because the parenting time adjustment is now mandatory, anyone whose prior order did not include a parenting time deviation can petition the court for a recalculation right away — even if the current order was entered as recently as December 31, 2025.

This change has led to a substantial increase in child support modification filings across Georgia since the start of 2026, as parents seek to take advantage of the new mandatory adjustment that may significantly alter their obligations.

Additional Changes Under the 2026 Law

Beyond the parenting time adjustment, the updated law also includes built-in low-income protections to prevent unfair financial burdens on parents who earn below a certain threshold. Additionally, the law provides clearer guidance on how to identify the custodial parent in cases where parenting time is close to equal, and it clarifies how veterans’ disability benefits received by a child may be credited toward a parent’s support obligation.

How The Schachter Law Firm Can Help

Whether you are seeking to establish a new child support order, modify an existing one under the 2026 law, or enforce a current order, The Schachter Law Firm, LLC is here to help. Attorney David I. Schachter has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in the United States in Georgia for Family Law, has earned the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has received the Client’s Choice Award from AVVO for Divorce and Family Law. Our firm has the experience and dedication to protect your rights and your children’s best interests.

Contact The Schachter Law Firm, LLC today at 912-233-8883 to schedule a confidential consultation about your child support matter.