Guiding You In Child Support Cases

There is a formula to determine a presumptive amount of child support based on each parent’s income, with each parent being responsible for his or her own pro rata share. Other expenses such as child care and health insurance may come into play when determining the appropriate amount of child support. Notwithstanding the presumptive amount of support, a judge can take many other factors into account when determining the final amount of child support to be paid.

Lise S. Kaplan, LLC, in Macon, Georgia, is a family law firm that can guide you in matters related to child support. With more than 30 years of experience practicing family law, attorney Lise S. Kaplan and her team will advocate for you in receiving a fair amount of child support or in paying a reasonable amount of support to your child’s other parent.

Modifying Child Support Payments

A judge may make adjustments to each parent’s support obligation by taking into account the following factors:

• Has either parent had a significant change in income?
• Has the need for day-care or its cost changed significantly?
• Has there been a change in the child’s medical or educational needs or a change in the cost of these?
• Is the child spending more time with one parent than was originally contemplated under the original order?

An experienced attorney will point out factors that affect child support and will present evidence that may persuade a judge or jury. The judge or jury will review the additional factors and take them into consideration when setting the amount of child support. You will need to provide detailed documentation to support any deviation you are seeking from the presumptive statutory amount.

Some judges rarely deviate from the presumptive amount of child support without documentation of extreme circumstances, even if the paying parent cannot pay the amount determined by the guidelines. An attorney can help you demonstrate your actual ability to pay or what your spouse should be paying, despite his or her pleas to the contrary. If circumstances change in the future, you may be able to return to court and ask to modify the original amount.

Our attorneys will provide explanations regarding all legal matters related to the topic of child support. Thorough and focused on your objective, they will work to gain the best results in your case.

Georgia Child Support FAQs

Lise S. Kaplan, LLC, has witnessed firsthand the challenges many parents face when dealing with child support issues. To keep you informed, the firm’s attorneys have compiled and answered some of the most common questions they receive.

What is child support?

Child support is the financial contribution a co-parent must provide to help with the costs of raising their child. In Georgia, the amount is based on the income of both parents and the child’s needs, including health care, education and everyday expenses. The goal is always to help ensure the child’s well-being after parents separate or divorce.

How do I apply for child support in Georgia?

You can apply for child support through Georgia’s Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). Child support will be addressed in court if you are involved in divorce or custody proceedings. While you can handle these steps independently, having legal representation can increase your chances of protecting your rights and securing a fair outcome for your child.

Is child support taxable income?

Child support is not considered taxable income in Georgia or at the federal level. The parent receiving child support does not report it as income on their tax returns. Similarly, the parent paying child support cannot deduct these payments from their taxable income.

What if the noncustodial parent lives in another state?

You can still enforce a child support order if the other parent lives outside Georgia. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) allows states to enforce child support across state lines.

How can I enforce a child support order?

If the other parent is not paying court-ordered child support, the Peach State offers several enforcement methods:

• Income withholding
• Intercepting tax refunds
• Suspending driver’s licenses or professional licenses

In more severe cases, the state can place liens on property, report the delinquency to credit bureaus or even file contempt of court charges that may lead to jail time.

A Good Family Law Attorney Is One Call Away

Child support payments are a major issue in family law. Lise S. Kaplan, LLC, in Macon, Georgia, has guided hundreds of clients in family law matters, addressing the crucial child support issue. We are prepared to help. Please call our office at 478-207-5124 or complete our online contact form.