Georgia child support laws

[MFDWT2005]

My cousin in now pregnant with her on and off again boyfriends child. The father works a steady job, seems somewhat responsible and wants to take part in the child's life. Heres the catch. He has recently found out that he is already a father to a 14-month old little girl. Test and all were taken to make sure. He is giving the mother right now around $65 a week in support of the little girl. And is taking part of her life. They have yet to go to court to set up permanent child support, but we are quite sure the amount will go up when they do here shortly. Well here this guy is that will have two kids by two different women. What is the most in child support that the state of Georgia can take from him for both of his kids. Is it a percentage? Will the older child be eligible for a higher amount than the second one? How will child support enforcement handle this?

 

[cornflake]

It depends on his income and the amount of time he has custody of the children. They use a calculator model, it's usually pretty simple.

 

[Miss_Nellie]

Here's a link to Georgia's Child Support Calculator http://www.georgiacourts.gov/csc/

And here's a link to their FAQ
http://www.georgiacourts.gov/csc/Frequently Asked Question3_Comm_v3_033108.pdf

Both links will explain what numbers to use (i.e., income, special expenses for child, prior support orders).

It should be pretty cut and dried because it is a calculator model but every case I've been involved in, each party argues for exemptions. It goes without saying that unless one of the parties is well versed in Family Law they really should have counsel. Separate counsel, I don't advise sharing lawyers.

 

[momof1princess]

not sure how it is in georgia, i didn't read the PP's links, but here, in alabama, BOTH parent's income are used to determine child support. both incomes are plugged into a formula, and, when all the calculations are done, it will tell you how much child support is owed.
now, it is quite possible that the older child will get more money than the younger one, because the court will only take a certain percentage of the father's income, and the mother who gets to court and gets her order signed by the judge first, is the one who usually gets the most money. i used to be a legal secretary, and i've seen it happen. but, as i said, that's in alabama.

 

[lilmrsellis]

I'm not sure about GA law specifically. That said, the amount he pays for the other child will not go up unless the mother asks for it. They are already operating under a verbal agreement and unless she specifically asks for more most judges won't award more. I've never heard of first kid first served, so to speak on child support, it is usually somewhat percentage based, but also individual.