In Georgia, both parents can be required to support their children until a child reaches the age of 20 years, dies, graduates from high school, marries, is emancipated or joins the military, whichever event occurs first. The non-custodial parent will be required to pay a reasonable amount of child support to the custodial parent towards the child’s living expenses. Child support, in addition to a monthly or weekly sum, may also include such items as health insurance and payment of medical and dental expenses.

Child Support Guidelines went into effect on July 1, 1989. These guidelines establish an amount of child support as a percentage range of gross income of the noncustodial parent, based upon the number of children. For one child the percentage range is17-23 percent of the gross income of the noncustodial parent; for two children, 23-28 percent; for three children, 25-32 percent; for four children, 29-35 percent; and for five or more children, 31-37 percent. The court can deviate from the guidelines in allocating child support based on a number of factors including the ages of the children, day care costs, education costs, amount of debt and obligations to another household.

May I receive money for the children's college?

The court cannot order parents to pay for college. However, parents may agree to pay child support beyond the age of 18 or to pay for college expenses.