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GOING WITH REGINA WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE

You’re getting divorced, and you’re overwhelmed with emotions. One of your biggest worries is your children. Where will they live, and with who? How often will you see them? And what about child support payments?

Child support is a long-term proposition after a divorce, and it’s understandable if you’re worried about it. Our Atlanta child support lawyers can help you set up child support as part of your divorce. Or, if you were not married to your child’s other parent, our team can assist you with finding the other parent and establishing child support.

Child Support Laws in Georgia

The revised child support guidelines for Georgia took effect in 2007. In this state, the child’s parent or caretaker may be entitled to child support from the other parent.

How much child support? Georgia takes the income sharing approach, meaning the child support you must pay is according to both parents’ incomes, minus deductions.

The family court judge will add up the parents’ gross annual income. Next, the judge will use a child support calculator that reflects the state’s child support guidelines.

Gross income may include:

  • The wages you earn at work
  • Commission you make from a second job
  • Pensions
  • Self-employment income
  • Income from disability and retirement accounts
  • Income from investments
  • Perks from your job (like a company car or paid cell phone account)

The guidelines and calculator are the central factors in determining a parent’s child support payment. However, the court can increase or decrease the amount.

Factors the court might include the following:

  • If the parents have a combined income of $30,000 per month or higher
  • Low income of $1,850 or less per month of the non-custodial parent
  • Life insurance on one parent that lists the child as a beneficiary
  • Alimony
  • Mortgage expenses
  • High expenses, including costs for education or medical conditions

Having your Atlanta child support lawyer review these and other factors is essential. That way, it will be possible for a fair and equitable child support plan to be created.

Remember, if you don’t retain an experienced child support lawyer, you can wind up with a child support plan that doesn’t work for you.

Petitioning for Child Support in Georgia

Usually, parents who were married deal with child support during their divorce. If you weren’t married, your Atlanta child support attorney could assist with your complex child support issues.

What if you must pay child support but lose your job? Changes in life circumstances can cause child support payments to decrease or stop. However, you must return to court and ask the judge to change or discontinue the payments.

If you decide to take action and stop payments on your own, the court can hold you in contempt. Then, you face enforcement actions, including fines, wage garnishment, and possible jail time.

Contact Us to Speak With an Atlanta, GA Child Support Lawyer

Disagreements over child support can be one of the most stressful parts of a divorce. However, our Atlanta child support lawyers understand what you’re experiencing and sympathize.

Our attorneys will work tirelessly to create a fair child support plan that provides for the children. But, at the same time, the plan will be fair to both parents. For more information about your Georgia child support case. You can complete our online contact form, and we’ll contact you immediately.

CLARITY TODAY

cutting through confusion and providing clarity

Do I need a Family Lawyer?

Each case is different, but we can share what clients typically struggle with when they make their initial calls to us:

  • My Spouse Wants a Divorce
  • My Marriage Has Fallen Apart And Cannot Be Fixed
  • I Am Expecting a Child Out Of Wedlock
  • I Have Fallen Behind on Child Support Due to Unemployment or salary reduction
  • My Circumstances Have Changed Drastically And Think A Change Of Custody Is Warranted
  • My Ex Announced They Want to Move Away and Take Our Child

How much will my Divorce or Child Custody matter cost me?

The financial aspect of family law matters can be terrifying because it has been known as a black hole of billing with retainers and hourly charges for things like emails and texts. Peel back further uncertainty by Estimating Your Legal Fees.

Flat Fees - No Funny Stuff

While other firms might tell you “there is no way to predict the total cost of a divorce,” we can tell you with certainty that those smoke and mirrors will not be a part of your care at Edwards Family Law. We provide value with a high degree of peace of mind through conscientious costs for our care. Learn more about our Flat Fee Family Law Services.

Fearful of being bogged down in legal fees?

Heard the horror stories about being sucked in with low retainers only to be hit with hidden incremental hourly changes?

We Have The Right Solutions For The Next Chapter of Your Life

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF EDWARDS FAMILY LAW

At Edwards Family Law, we understand that your life, family, livelihood, and legacy are important to you. They are important to us as well. We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure your identity is respected and that your dignity is preserved throughout the process.

The law prohibits us from guaranteeing the outcome of your case. But, it does not prohibit us from guaranteeing the service you receive. We promise to provide you with the best in customer service and client relations. We have codified our commitment in our Ten Commandments. If we fail to deliver on any of our Ten Commandments at any time during your case, please let us know. We will apologize for our mistake and do what is necessary to fix the problem.

What You Can Expect From Your Experience With Edwards Family Law

  • 1
    Clients are not an interruption of our work. They are the purpose of it.
  • 2
    Clients will not be charged for calls to their attorney.
  • 3
    Each client shall receive aggressive representation combined with incomparable guidance and counsel.
  • 4
    Our clients will receive the most courteous and attentive treatment we can give them.
  • 5
    Each client will have their telephone call returned within one business day.
  • 6
    All of our attorneys shall practice exclusively family law and domestic relations.
  • 7
    Our clients are not just a name on a file. We will present each client with an honest assessment of all options to provide them with the best chance of success.
  • 8
    Our firm will attend all conferences and Continuing Learning Education Seminars related to the practice of Family Law to ensure that we have access to the most current case law that can affect your and your family's lives.
  • 9
    Our firm will employ the latest technology for use in your case, including a secure server where the client's entire paper file is scanned and posted to the server for immediate retrieval by the client.
  • 10
    Clients are people who bring us their wants. It is our job to meet those wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need to pay for child support?

State law requires you to pay support for each child until they turn 18, emancipate, or graduate from high school. Also, child support payments end if the child enters the military, gets married, or passes away.

Can child support be modified?

Child support can be modified if there is a significant change in the finances of one or both parents. It also can be changed if the child’s needs have changed.

What if a parent isn't paying child support in Georgia?

The judge can hold the parent in contempt. Your Atlanta child support lawyer can file the petition in court and speak on your behalf at the contempt hearing.

If the contempt action is enforced, the parent can be threatened with incarceration, which is usually a strong motivator for the party to pay child support. Garnishing wages and seizing assets are also possible.

How far behind in child support payments can you fall before you go to jail?

Not paying child support is usually a misdemeanor. However, back child support is a felony in this state on the third offense or if you leave Georgia. You can receive one to three years in jail if arrested for the crime.

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