Raising a child is expensive, and it can become challenging for parents to juggle the many costs associated with child rearing when their marriages end. In Georgia, the courts can become involved in child support matters pursuant to divorces or through independent litigation. A family law attorney can be a useful resource for a parent who must otherwise navigate child support matters on their own.
Child support is based on the incomes of both of a child’s parents, and this post will discuss the income shares model of child support adopted in Georgia. This post does not provide readers with any legal advice, but readers are encouraged to review the information contained herein and take their questions to their trusted family law advisers.
Income shares and sources of income
As mentioned, child support is based on the incomes of a child’s parents. Many sources of income are considered for child support computations. They include, but are not limited to:
- Wages and salaries
- Interest
- Different sources of benefits
- Tips
- Commissions
Once the income sources of the parents are established, a court will look at how much each parent would have financially contributed to the welfare of their child had their marriage survived. Child support helps to ensure that kids are not financially disadvantaged when their parents divorce.
Preparing for a child support hearing
There are many matters that parents should understand before they go to court on child support matters. From income identification to child rearing costs and expenses, parents can learn and rely on their legal advisers to prepare for their family law hearings. Though no outcomes can be guaranteed in court, legal support can prepare and provide a parent with guidance and information on how best to manage their child support cases.
