Suwanee Child Support Lawyer

Child support can be a highly volatile issue between former spouses. In Georgia, both parents have an obligation to financially support their children. In the matter of child support, this means that the non-custodial parent must make a monthly payment to provide for the child’s needs.

In many instances, disagreement over child support may be preventing your divorce from being finalized. No matter where you are in the divorce process, the family law attorneys at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland are here to offer you legal guidance.

How are Support Payments Calculated?

Under the Income Shares Model, support calculations take into account the joint income of both the mother and father. This model calculates child support based on the premise of what the child would receive if both parents lived under the same roof and combined their incomes.

When calculating support payments, all forms of income are taken into consideration, including wages, social security and disability benefits, unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, commissions, tips, and other types of income. 

When determining child support, the court will always look to make a decision that is in the best interest of the child. This applies if you ask the court to deviate from child support guidelines in calculating your monthly payment.

How Long Am I Required to Pay Support Payments?

Georgia Code §19-6-15 requires a parent to pay child support until the child turns 18, dies, gets married, or becomes emancipated. The main exception is that child support may continue until the child completes high school or until the age of 20, whichever comes first.

What If I Lose My Job? Can I Request a Support Modification?

If you experience a change in income, and you support is being paid to the Georgia Department of Human Services, you can request the Department to review your support order. The Department may take six months to review your request. If the Department determines that your child support should be reduced, then you will be issued a new order. You can also hire a competent child support lawyer to petition the court for a change in your child support.

Why You Should Hire a Child Support Lawyer

While you can attempt to negotiate child support with your ex-spouse, if you cannot come to an agreement, you may need to hire an attorney to advocate on your behalf. Our child support attorneys are well-versed in Georgia child support laws and regulations and can help you navigate the complexities of the family court system.

We make it our job to help you navigate the court system. Whether you are seeking back payments for unpaid child support or are required to pay, we ensure that the process does not cause you financial strain.

Ready to Schedule Your Free Consultation?

Divorcing parents must come to terms with child support payments or have a court decide the monthly amount that will be paid. The court will always make this decision based on your child’s best interest, but it does not know what your child needs as you do.

If you are in the midst of negotiating child support, we are here to help. Contact our Suwanee child support lawyers today online or by calling 866-455-4701 to schedule your free consultation.