When: Effective 1/1/2026
What are the changes to Georgia’s Child Support Laws?
(5.1) Adjust the noncustodial parent’s share of the basic child support obligation to account for that parent’s expenses incurred during his or her court-ordered parenting time by following the steps in subsection (g) of this Code section. The determination of the parenting time adjustment shall be entered on the Child Support Schedule C – Parenting Time Adjustment. (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(b)(5.1))
Explanation: Whereas current law allows the court the ability to adjust the child support award based upon parenting time, the new law requires parenting time to be included as part of the calculation.
(g)
Parenting time adjustment in Georgia Child Support Laws
A. The amounts listed in Georgia’s basic child support obligation table are based on the typical expenses for a child in an intact family. Accordingly, there is no accounting for parenting time built into that table. When a noncustodial parent has court-ordered parenting time with a child, some of the expenses represented by the table amount are incurred by the noncustodial parent. Those expenses are accounted for in the parenting time adjustment.
B. The parenting time adjustment reduces the basic child support obligation amount for the noncustodial parent to account for court-ordered parenting time (as defined by “parenting time unit of measurement” in subsection (a)(17.1) of this Code section). This adjustment could reduce the noncustodial parent’s share of the basic child support obligation to zero or, in cases where the custodial parent’s gross income exceeds the noncustodial parent’s, increase the custodial parent’s obligation to an amount higher than the noncustodial parent’s.
C. For purposes of this Code section, a parent’s parenting time is measured as defined by “parenting time unit of measurement” in subsection (a)(17.1). Parenting time includes time with the child whether designated as visitation, physical custody, or parenting time. This adjustment applies only to court-ordered parenting time. If there is no court order awarding parenting time, the court shall determine child support without this adjustment.
Calculation of the parenting time adjustment
A. In the calculation below:
i. If there are multiple children with varying degrees of court-ordered parenting time, use the average number of court-ordered days.
ii. In split-parenting cases (subsection (l)), where two worksheets are prepared, use this parenting time adjustment on both worksheets.
B. Apply the following formula:
Raise to the 2.5 power the number of court-ordered days the noncustodial parent has with the child.
Raise to the 2.5 power the number of court-ordered days the custodial parent has with the child.
Multiply the result of step 1 by the dollar amount of the custodial parent’s share of the basic support obligation.
Multiply the result of step 2 by the dollar amount of the noncustodial parent’s share.
Subtract the result of step 4 from the result of step 3.
Divide the result of step 5 by the sum of steps 1 and 2.
Add the result of step 6 to the noncustodial parent’s basic child support obligation.
The result of step 7 is the noncustodial parent’s parenting time adjustment.
C. Enter the determination on Child Support Schedule C – Parenting Time Adjustment.
Why is this happening?
The current child support schedule is calculated based on the costs of raising children in an intact household. Support is calculated for the total household and then apportioned between the parents based on their pro rata share of total household income. For example, if the total child support obligation is $1,000 and you (the noncustodial parent) earn 75% of the household income, your presumptive obligation is $750. Other factors (e.g., health insurance, work-related childcare, private school tuition) can adjust this amount, but at its core it’s a simple pro rata split.
The new law adds the noncustodial parent’s costs (food, clothing, personal care, etc.) incurred during parenting time into the calculation.
What does this mean for you?
Currently the court may adjust support for these costs by discretionary deviation—meaning the court must find that you incur more child-rearing expenses because you exercise more than “standard visitation.” Although “standard” visitation was never formally defined, the old statute presumed every-other-weekend schedules. The General Assembly recognized that many parents now have joint physical custody or more frequent parenting time.
If you already exercise extra parenting time and your case meets modification requirements (at least two years since your last order and a significant change in income or child needs), you may be eligible to modify your support now.
For any new orders entered after January 1, 2026, the court must include your parenting time in the support calculation. So if you, as the noncustodial parent, are awarded more parenting time, your support obligation should decrease accordingly.
Bear in mind the recalculation still uses current incomes for both parents, so you may want to run the numbers before filing.
How to prepare:
Visit the Georgia Child Support Worksheet: https://csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov/frontend/web/index.php
Scroll down for the “Parenting Time Formula” tool (this will be integrated into the main calculator in 2026).
There’s also a tutorial video explaining how to use it.
Pro tip: Copy and paste your parenting time schedule into an AI tool (include all variables, like school district breaks) to calculate annual days. It’s often surprisingly accurate—but always double-check before filing.
How do I take advantage of this change?
Contact us at (770) 461-2025 to schedule a free consultation (phone or in-person) to discuss your options and how these changes may affect your child support.
