Last updated on October 8, 2024
To help ensure accuracy, this page was written, edited and is periodically reviewed by a knowledgeable team of legal writers per our editorial guidelines. It was approved for publication by founding attorney Samuel Siemon, who has amassed extensive experience as a Georgia family law attorney. Our last modified date shows when the page underwent a review.
Atlanta Child Support Attorneys
Child support should be straightforward. In Georgia, every parent has an obligation to support their children. But during a divorce, child support can become a proxy for many of the disputes the parents may have, and they may attempt to use it as a weapon to punish the other parent. Don’t. This is not a good strategy and is unlikely to go unnoticed by your children or your family court judge.
Georgia Child Support Calculations
Our attorneys at The Siemon Law Firm Divorce and Family Law Attorneys, P.C. are very experienced helping parents with these calculations. We have worked through this process with thousands of families, and we know where issues and disputes can develop. While the amounts of support are determined by official statutory guidelines, there are many factors than can affect the ultimate amount of child support that is deemed appropriate. For a child support determination to be accurate, the financial information provided by the parents must be accurate. We can help with this process. To schedule a consultation with our attorneys, call 770-888-5120 to make an appointment at our Atlanta office.
It is essential that there is full, complete and accurate disclosure of income and resources of the family. It is also essential that all the expenses of the children, from medical insurance to summer camps, be accurately accounted and planned for.
Child Support Modifications In Atlanta
Many issues develop around child support obligations, and they are intentionally difficult to modify. Generally, you must wait two years after the initial order to request a change. Then, you must show a substantial change in your financial circumstance or in the needs of the child.
These Obligations Cannot Be Discharged
Courts are reluctant to modify these obligations absent significant evidence of a change. Simply losing a job is not sufficient, as courts presume you will need to work to support yourself. If you are required to make these payments, you cannot discharge them in bankruptcy and they do not “go away” over time. In addition, a court can order that they be deducted from a tax refund. They can also affect your professional licenses, and your passport can be revoked if you fail to make the payments.
Parents will sometimes voluntarily reduce their income in an effort to reduce their child support obligation and courts will carefully examine this question. If you cannot afford to pay, you need to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, as you need a strong, evidence-based argument to be successful. If you are not receiving the child support payments in the support order, you also need an attorney to help present the evidence and arguments to enforce your child support order.
Contact Our Firm
We can help you with your child support issues whether you are obligated to make these payments or are receiving them. To speak with a lawyer in our Atlanta office, please contact us today at 770-888-5120.
