Who Gets Child Support in Atlanta?

Child support in Atlanta can be extremely valuable for numerous parents, and it may help maintain a high standard of living for children after divorce or separation. But who actually receives this money? How do you know whether you’re eligible to receive child support as you approach a divorce or breakup? This is a common question among many parents, and you might want to discuss it with an experienced child custody attorney.

A Parent Who Earns Less Tends to Receive Child Support 

The general rule is that the lower-earning parent tends to receive child support. The logic behind this is simple: If one parent earns less than the other, they are less able to cover childcare expenses and living costs. In the eyes of the court, the higher-earning parent should still contribute to the child’s life – even if they are no longer the primary guardian. In the end, child support’s function is to maintain the same basic standard of living the child enjoyed during the marriage or relationship.

Custody Also Affects Child Support 

Another important factor in child support calculations is the type of custody you have. If you do not have custody and you only have limited visitation rights, you probably won’t receive any child support payments. This is because you do not actually care for the child or bear any of the costs of parenting, such as rent, clothing, food, and medical care.

If you share equal custody with the other parent (a common outcome in Georgia), calculations may be more complex. The court will take into account the fact that you only care for the child for 50% of the time, so the other parent probably won’t have to pay for 100% of the childcare costs.

If you have sole custody of your child, you could receive more child support than a parent who only has shared custody. This is because when a child lives with you exclusively, you bear 100% of many parenting costs. As a result, the other parent may be required to hand over a significant amount of child support money each month.

Child Support Is Mandatory 

Although you may be able to negotiate a child support arrangement with the other parent through mediation or collaborative law, there is no way to avoid paying these sums. If one parent is required to pay child support under Georgia law, they must do so. This is not the case with alimony or property division, which could be “forfeited” through negotiations or prenuptial agreements.

Can a Child Custody Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me Pursue Positive Outcomes? 

A child custody attorney in Atlanta may be able to help you receive the support you need to give your child a happy, healthy, and stable life. While there are a few universal rules when it comes to child support, the outcome of your case depends entirely on your family’s unique circumstances. To learn more about the next steps, consider a consultation with Buckhead Family Law today.

Source:

 childsupport.georgia.gov/