You can agree on houses, cars, even dogs—but you can’t just wave away child support. In Georgia, support is the child’s right, not a bargaining chip between adults. Judges approve orders that protect kids, follow the Georgia Child Support Worksheet, and explain any deviation in writing.
Want a peaceful, no-hearing divorce? Great. Do the support piece correctly and your packet can still glide through.
What the Court Actually Wants to See
- Georgia Child Support Worksheet attached.
- Health insurance details for the kids (who carries, premium cost, and how it’s credited).
- Uncovered medical split with a reimbursement timeline.
- Specific parenting time schedule (it can affect worksheet inputs).
- If deviating, a written reason that benefits the child and makes numbers still make sense.
No worksheet, no clarity… expect delays or a rejection.
“Zero Dollars” Support: When Is That Possible?
Rare, but sometimes a well-documented deviation makes sense. Examples:
- The parents have nearly equal parenting time and similar incomes, with each paying expenses directly.
- One parent pays substantial costs benefiting the child (e.g., private health insurance premiums, specialized therapies) that, when credited, reduce the transfer to near zero.
Even then, judges want to see math plus logic: a worksheet showing presumptive support, credits listed, and a deviation paragraph explaining why this is in the child’s best interest.
Deviations That Can Work
- Insurance & Medical: One parent pays health/dental/vision premiums; parties split uncovered costs 50/50 or by income ratio with a 30-day reimbursement rule.
- Parenting Time: A substantial, consistent schedule (not vague) can support a deviation.
- Direct Expense Credits: Agreed payments for daycare, tuition, or therapy—with receipts and a cap—can be credited on the worksheet.
- Travel Costs: If one parent routinely pays long-distance travel so the child can see the other parent, that may justify a deviation.
Key: The order must say exactly who pays what, when, and how proof is shared.
Language That Gets Packets Stalled
- “We’ll figure support out later.”
- “Neither of us wants child support.”
- “We’ll split stuff fairly.”
- “He’ll pay when he can.”
Replace these with numbers, dates, and documents:
- Support amount, payment method (income deduction or portal), and due date.
- Health insurance: policy holder, premium amount, and credit on the worksheet.
- Uncovered medical: split %, submission deadline (e.g., within 30 days), and reimbursement window (e.g., within 30 days of receipt).
- Daycare/tuition: who pays, monthly cap, proof required.
Why Skipping Support Backfires
- Enforcement headaches: If it isn’t written, it isn’t enforceable.
- Arrears risk: Verbal “we’re good” today becomes a retroactive arrears claim tomorrow.
- Tax and benefits problems: Judges want orders that make financial sense for the child long-term.
- Packet delays: Missing worksheet or vague terms = corrections, re-filing, or a hearing you were trying to avoid.
Keep It Uncontested, Keep It Clean
- Attach the worksheet.
- Put every number and deadline in writing.
- Use a specific schedule, not “as needed.”
- Pick a payment method that creates a paper trail.
- Add fee-shifting for willful nonpayment and, if you like, a quick mediation step for routine disputes.
That’s how you protect your peace and still meet Georgia’s requirements.
Professional Bottom Line
You can be generous, flexible, and friendly—and still do child support by the book. The court’s job is to protect kids. Ours is to help your agreement reflect that, clearly and quickly, so your uncontested divorce stays on track.
Closing Message
Want an uncontested packet that passes the support test the first time? Catherine Verdery Ryan, Attorney at Law, drafts and reviews Georgia-compliant, county-ready orders that protect your child and your peace.
Visit catherineryanlawyer.com to finish cleanly.