How Georgia Child Support Is Calculated
Georgia uses the Income Shares model. Both parents' gross monthly incomes are combined, looked up in the state's Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) schedule, and then each parent pays a proportional share based on their income.
Determine each parent's gross monthly income
Georgia uses gross (pre-tax) income from all sources. Unlike some states, Georgia does not deduct taxes before looking up the schedule.
Look up combined income in the BCSO schedule
The Georgia BCSO schedule provides a minimum support amount based on combined gross income and number of children.
Pro-rate each parent's share
Each parent is responsible for their percentage of combined income. The NCP's share of the basic obligation is their monthly payment.
Add health insurance and childcare
Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare are added proportionally. The court may also consider other deviations.
Georgia BCSO Schedule (Monthly, 2025)
| Combined Gross Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $395 | $589 | $671 | $737 |
| $2,500 | $641 | $955 | $1,089 | $1,196 |
| $4,000 | $972 | $1,448 | $1,651 | $1,813 |
| $5,000 | $1,179 | $1,756 | $2,003 | $2,199 |
| $6,000 | $1,386 | $2,064 | $2,354 | $2,585 |
| $8,000 | $1,800 | $2,680 | $3,057 | $3,357 |
| $10,000 | $2,214 | $3,297 | $3,761 | $4,129 |
| $12,000 | $2,628 | $3,913 | $4,465 | $4,901 |
| $15,000 | $3,249 | $4,839 | $5,521 | $6,060 |
Source: Georgia Child Support Commission BCSO Schedule, updated 2025. Combined obligation — NCP pays their income share.
Georgia Child Support — Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia uses gross income — earnings before taxes. Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, and other recurring income. Georgia's child support guidelines define a specific list of income types and exclusions.
Georgia courts can deviate from the guidelines upward or downward based on factors including: a high income of the non-custodial parent, a low income of the non-custodial parent, the child's special medical or educational needs, unusual travel costs, substantial in-kind contributions, and shared physical custody arrangements.
When both parents have at least 50% parenting time (183+ nights each), Georgia applies a special shared parenting adjustment that reduces the support amount. For less equal schedules, the standard non-custodial formula applies.
Yes. Georgia law requires that work-related childcare expenses and uninsured healthcare costs are added to the basic child support obligation and divided between parents in proportion to their incomes.
Georgia maintains a table that specifies the minimum monthly support obligation based on combined gross income and number of children. Courts use this table as the starting point, then adjust for each parent's income share, health insurance, childcare, and deviations.