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Child Support Law in Georgia

This page covers child support law as it applies in Georgia — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what child support protects generally, see the national overview.

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Quick answer

In Georgia, both parents are legally required to support their children whether or not they were ever married to each other, and support amounts are set by a court order using state guidelines based on both parents' incomes. A support order cannot be changed without returning to court, and some deadlines in child support cases can be as short as 60 days, so act quickly if your situation changes. To establish, modify, or enforce a support order, you can apply at no cost to most families through the Georgia Division of Child Support Services, or file a petition directly in your county Superior Court.

Laws that govern child support in Georgia

Georgia state law

  • Child Support GuidelinesO.C.G.A. §19-6-15

    The primary statute governing how child support amounts are calculated using the income shares model, how long support lasts, and the standards and procedures for modifying a support order.

  • Voluntary Acknowledgment of PaternityO.C.G.A. §19-7-46.1

    Governs the legal form and effect of a voluntary paternity acknowledgment signed by both parents, including the 60-day period to rescind it.

  • Income Deduction Orders for Child SupportO.C.G.A. §19-6-32

    Requires courts to enter an income deduction order in child support cases and sets out the procedures by which employers must withhold and remit child support payments.

  • Child Support Recovery ActO.C.G.A. §19-11-1 et seq.

    Establishes Georgia's Title IV-D child support enforcement program, authorizes the Division of Child Support Services to establish and enforce support obligations, and defines the agency's administrative enforcement powers.

Browse all of Georgia’s statutes →

Federal law

Georgia-specific deadlines for child support cases

Enter the date your problem happened to see which deadlines may already have passed. Not every deadline applies to every situation — this is a general estimate, not legal advice. Deadlines can be shorter, paused, or extended.

  • Deadline to rescind a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment: 60 days

    After this window closes, the signed acknowledgment becomes a final legal determination of paternity and can be challenged only on the narrow grounds of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact; child support obligations are not suspended during such a challenge absent a court order for good cause.

    O.C.G.A. §19-7-46.1(b)

  • Waiting period before the same parent may file another petition to modify child support: 2 years

    Exceptions to this two-year bar apply when the noncustodial parent failed to exercise court-ordered visitation, exercised more visitation than the order allows, or experienced an involuntary loss of income.

    O.C.G.A. §19-6-15(k)(2)

These deadlines are general estimates. They can be shorter than they appear, and can be paused (“tolled”) or extended in specific situations. This is not legal advice. If any deadline is near or has passed, talk to a lawyer right away.

Where to go & how to get help

Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for child support in Georgia.

How to take action in Georgia

  1. 1

    Confirm that legal paternity is established

    If the parents were not married when the child was born, legal paternity must be established before a court can enter a support order. You can sign a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form at the hospital, through the Georgia Division of Child Support Services, or through a court action.

  2. 2

    Apply for services through DCSS or file a court petition

    You can open a case with the Georgia Division of Child Support Services online or at a local office; there is a $25 application fee waived for families receiving TANF or certain Medicaid benefits. Alternatively, you may hire a private attorney and file a petition directly in your county Superior Court.

  3. 3

    Gather income and financial documents for both parents

    Both parents need to produce proof of gross income — such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, and records of self-employment income — along with documentation of work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums, all of which are used to calculate the support amount.

  4. 4

    Complete the Child Support Worksheet and attend any hearings

    Georgia courts use a standardized worksheet under O.C.G.A. §19-6-15 to calculate the support amount based on combined parental income; a judge or administrative law judge enters the final order.

  5. 5

    Make sure an income deduction order is in place

    Georgia law requires automatic paycheck withholding in most new support orders; an Income Deduction Order directs the paying parent's employer to send payments through the Family Support Registry to the receiving parent.

  6. 6

    Request a review if circumstances change significantly

    If either parent's income changes substantially or the child's needs shift, you may ask the Georgia Division of Child Support Services to review the order or file a petition for modification in court, keeping in mind the two-year waiting period between modification petitions by the same parent.

A general roadmap, not legal advice — the right steps depend on your situation and deadlines.

Common questions about child support in Georgia

How does Georgia calculate the amount of child support?

Georgia uses an 'income shares' model under O.C.G.A. §19-6-15. A court adds both parents' gross incomes together, applies a state-published schedule to find the basic child support obligation, then divides that amount between the parents in proportion to their individual incomes. The calculation also accounts for the cost of the child's health insurance, work-related childcare, and the number of overnights the child spends with each parent.

Until what age does child support continue in Georgia?

Child support generally continues until the child turns 18, dies, marries, or becomes legally emancipated, whichever occurs first. If the child turns 18 while still enrolled in and attending a secondary school, a court may extend support up to age 20.

Can I change a child support order after it is entered?

Yes, if there has been a substantial change in either parent's income or financial situation, or in the child's needs, since the existing order was entered. However, the same parent generally cannot file a new petition to modify within two years of the date of the previous modification order, unless one of three narrow exceptions applies — such as an involuntary loss of income.

What can I do if the other parent is not paying child support?

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services has a range of enforcement tools, including automatic wage withholding, interception of state and federal tax refunds, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses after 60 days of delinquency, interception of lottery winnings, and referral to a Superior Court for contempt-of-court proceedings that can result in fines or jail time.

Do I need a lawyer to get or change child support?

You are not required to have an attorney. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services can establish, modify, and enforce child support orders on your behalf at no charge to most families. If your case involves complex assets, disputed custody, or legal proceedings that DCSS cannot resolve administratively, consulting a private attorney or a legal aid organization may be helpful.

Does Georgia require the paying parent to provide health insurance?

Yes. Under O.C.G.A. §19-6-15, if health insurance for the child is reasonably available at a reasonable cost to either parent, the court must order that parent to cover the child under that plan. Eligibility for Medicaid or the PeachCare for Kids program does not satisfy this requirement.

What happens after I sign a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment form?

Once both parents sign the form, it carries the same legal weight as a court paternity order. Either parent may cancel the acknowledgment within 60 days of signing (or before a court issues a paternity or support order, whichever comes first). After that window closes, the acknowledgment can only be challenged in court on narrow grounds such as fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.

Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.