You’re getting divorced, and you want the best for your children moving forward. You intend to do your share and intend to pay the child support that the Georgia judge sets, but just what will that support cover? How should the recipient be spending the money to benefit your children?
It starts with the basics of shelter, food and clothing. We all want our children to live in a warm, safe environment with a lunch to take to school and dinner on the table every night. But child support encompasses more than that.
There’s medical care, both in terms of health and dental insurance, as well as out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles. Parents often will split some of the extra costs, such as for braces or glasses.
Child support also can be used for:
- School-related costs, such as supplies, books, clothes or uniforms or any fees
- Child care, including during school breaks, while parents are at work
- Daily transportation
- Basic entertainment, such as the occasional movie or trip to a fair, for example
- Extracurricular activities, including clubs, summer camp or sports
As in all states, Georgia has child support guidelines that help to determine how much each parent should put toward support of their children. Courts consider such things as a parent’s income and the child’s financial needs when establishing support amount.
Whether you are the custodial parent receiving support or the parent paying support, you want to make sure of two things: that your child is well-cared for and that the amount is both sufficient and equitable. As you go through the process, you’ll want a family law attorney on your side.
