If you are seeking a divorce here in Georgia, this is likely the first and hopefully last interaction you will have with Georgia's court system. Although the court system is open to all, the process of initiating a divorce and navigating the procedures necessary to obtain a divorce in Georgia sometimes prove to be very intimidating and confusing, especially for those who wish to represent themselves. One of the most confusing aspects of divorces involving children is often the child support worksheet. For many, one glance at Georgia's Child Support Worksheet prompts a headache. But fortunately, help is available.
The first place any parent seeking to represent themselves in a divorce or child custody matter should look is the Georgia Child Support Commission's website. This is where an electronic version of the child support calculator may be downloaded. If this is your first time dealing with the child support calculator, it is recommended that you download the Child Support Worksheet with Date Entry Form. Once you have downloaded this version of the worksheet and opened it, you should see instructions on the very first page. Please read these instructions carefully as they contain useful information on how to complete the worksheet.
After reviewing the instructions, the next page of the worksheet will be the data entry worksheet. This worksheet is where you should input financial and case relevant information, such as each parent's gross income, the names and number of children that should be included in the calculation. It is at this point that many parents tend to have questions, and they are unsure where to look for answers. Although the instructions included with the worksheet are helpful, they are often not sufficient for first time users. Below we have outlined several resources that we hope will be helpful. In addition, we have also outlined step by step instructions on how to complete the worksheet in our series of articles concerning Georgia's Child Support Worksheet.
Child Support Worksheet Resources
Companion Guide to Child Support Worksheet and Schedules
Guide to Implementation of the New Child Support Guidelines
For more individualized help completing Georgia's child support worksheet and other forms relating to divorce, custody matters and other family law matters in the Atlanta metro area, contact the following resources:
Fulton - Superior Court of Fulton County Family Division
DeKalb - DeKalb Family Law Information Center
Cobb - Cobb County Family Law Workshop
Gwinnett - Gwinnett Family Law Clinic