Get Ahead of Changes to
Georgia’s Child Support Law
As a parent with an existing child support order in Georgia, January 1, 2026 represents a critical turning point.
As a part of our commitment to providing the best legal care, we want to offer you clarity about these changes. Our Child Support Assessment Package includes an assessment of your existing order and personalized support for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not wait until January 1, 2026 to see if the law affects me?
The law affects everyone who has, or will have, a child support order involving their children, resulting in an increasing backlog of cases in the courts. Georgia courts generally cannot modify child support obligations retroactively prior to the date of filing, meaning every month you wait you are locked into potentially incorrect payments.
What is the biggest change happening on January 1, 2026?
Will my existing child support order automatically change on January 1, 2026?
A parent needs to speak to an experienced family law attorney to discuss whether it is strategic to file a petition for modification. However, the new calculation methods will apply if you do seek a modification after January 1, 2026.
How will the parenting time adjustment affect my payments?
Noncustodial parents who exercise any parenting time are likely to see a reduction in child support unless there have been significant changes to income or other factors.
How is the assessment package different from a standard strategy session?
This is a specialized, comprehensive package designed to address the 2026 law transition with a strategic plan and analysis specific to your particular order. In addition to a 30-minute strategy session, you also receive analysis, calculation details, and action plan, and additional legal care.
How is my child support affected if my coparent does not exercise all of their court ordered parenting time?
The new parenting time adjustment is based on the presumption that a noncustodial parent exercises the court ordered visitation. If the noncustodial parent exercises less parenting time than they are awarded, this would be relevant evidence to ensure the adjustment, if any, is appropriate.
What documentation should I keep to prepare for a potential modification?
You should gather evidence that demonstrates your parenting time and related expenses, including: original child support order and worksheet, original parenting plan, proof of current income, proof of parenting time exercises (if substantially different from what is ordered).
Can I request a modification before January 1, 2026, to take advantage of these changes?
While the adjustment will not be formally required until January 1, 2026, many Georgia judges have begun using it as a deviation in current child support determinations. Some courts are already considering parenting time adjustments, but it’s completely at the judge’s discretion until 2026 when it becomes mandatory.