Child Support Modifications In The Greater Augusta Area
We all want to provide for our children. In some cases, however, the amount of child support owed does not accurately reflect the current financial situation of you and your children.
You Can Modify Your Child Support To Reflect Significant Life Events
Life does not stop once a final court decree regarding child support is entered. In Georgia, family courts look for a substantial change in either the parents’ financial situation or the child’s needs before adjusting child support. Below is a list of life events that often support a petition for modification:
- A job loss or involuntary reduction in income
- A parent changing jobs with significantly different pay
- A serious illness or disability affecting either the parent or the child
- The child developing new medical, educational or support needs
- A parent receiving a substantial inheritance or financial windfall
- A significant increase in a parent’s income
- A parent being incarcerated
- One parent having another child or a change in family responsibilities
- Changes in custody or visitation arrangements
Either way, each case is unique, and not every life change qualifies. Voluntarily quitting a job or taking a lower-paying position typically does not meet the court’s standard. That is why it is best to speak with our family law attorneys before assuming the court will approve a modification.
Recent Changes To Georgia’s Child Support Guidelines In The Greater Augusta Area
In 2024, Georgia passed Senate Bill 454, which updated several areas of the state’s child support guidelines. These changes may affect your ability to seek a modification or how support is calculated in your case:
- Updated definitions: The new law clarifies what counts as “income,” making it easier to include various earnings like gig work, self-employment income and noncash benefits in child support calculations.
- Deviations for parenting time: Courts now have clearer rules on adjusting child support based on the time a child spends with each parent. If your visitation schedule has changed, this could be grounds for a new support calculation.
- Streamlined forms and process: The revised forms aim to simplify filing for modification, but legal guidance is still important. Mistakes or incomplete information can delay or derail your case.
The court will not modify support based on assumptions or informal agreements between parents. At our firm, we know what the court in the Greater Augusta area needs to see and how to present it properly to reflect your current situation.
We Are Meticulous In Preparation And Persuasive In Court
At Tisdale Middleton & Land, we will help your case by guiding you through the process and compiling evidence. Our child support attorneys can walk you through the petition and represent you in court. We will do everything in our power to put you in a position that better reflects your current financial circumstances.
To discuss whether a petition to modify child support is appropriate for your situation, call our lawyers today in our Evans, Georgia, office at 706-303-0734. Alternatively, you can schedule your consultation online.