Bell, Jackson Co. Courthouse
The family law attorneys of the Law Offices of Gabriel Bradford vigorously represent clients in child support cases throughout Northeast Georgia. If you need to obtain an order for child support, modify a current support order, or get help with child support enforcement, contact a child support lawyer today.
On January 1, 2007, child support guidelines changed
For our clients in Northeast Georgia child support guidelines and the recent change is a much-discussed issue. In general, lawyers in the field believe that child support awards will be lower than under the current guidelines. However, each individual family circumstance will differ.
Child support may be modified, up or down, whenever there is a substantial change in income for financial circumstances of either party, or the needs of the children. A modification action may be filed by either party at any time after the divorce or initial final order of support. Another modification action may not be filed by the same party until 2 years have passed form the previous final order on modification, regardless of the outcome.
Let us help with:
- calculating child support
- obtaining court orders
- modifying court orders
- collecting child support
- contempt of court hearings for unpaid child support
Bradford, Primm & Green will also negotiate and agreement or litigate cases that are especially complex or challenging.
Determining fair and reasonable child support
Although general guidelines are outlined in the law, a number of factors are considered before the court decides upon a “fair and reasonable” amount of child support. Educational costs, medical expenses, day care costs, shared physical custody, and other factors are examined. The incomes of the custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, and of a new spouse (in the case of re-marriage) as well as obligations to other households are all part of the equation. While modifications can be filed after an order of divorce agreement is finalized, it is best to come as close as possible to an agreement that will work for all parties in the first place.
Child Support Modification
When circumstances substantially change, the Law Offices of Gabriel Bradford presents persuasive cases for modifying the amount of child support. A change in custody or the amount of visitation, a large raise in salary, a work lay-off or injury, and the addition of new obligations because of a re-marriage are some factors that may result in the need to file a claim for modification.
A Word of Caution
Under Georgia law, an obligation of child support continues until child support modifications are formalized by a formal order of the court. The parties cannot agree to change it without court intervention, and it will not change or terminate when a child goes to live with the other parent. There is no statute of limitation on the collection of past due support, and interest will be added at the statutory rate from the time each payment becomes due.