Raising a child is expensive—and in Georgia, child support is meant to fairly share that financial responsibility between both parents. Unfortunately, many parents receive less child support than the law actually allows, often because income is hidden, parenting time is misrepresented, or the case was never properly presented to the court.
Getting more child support in Georgia is not about greed or punishment. It is about accuracy, fairness, and ensuring your child’s needs are fully met. At The Sherman Law Group, we help parents lawfully increase child support by exposing real income, correcting outdated orders, and presenting evidence judges trust. This guide explains how child support increases work, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to build a winning case.
How Child Support Works in Georgia
Georgia follows an income shares model, meaning the court combines both parents’ gross incomes to calculate the child’s basic support amount. Adjustments are made for parenting time, health insurance, childcare, and deviations. When income rises, expenses increase, or custody changes, child support can—and often should—go up.
Strategies to Get More Child Support
1. Exposing Complex Compensation
Bonuses, stock options, RSUs, deferred compensation, and profit-sharing plans often dramatically increase support when properly documented.
2. Lifestyle Evidence Tells the Truth
Luxury spending, travel, and real estate can contradict claimed income.
3. Forensic Accountants Change Outcomes
Hidden income is often uncovered through expert analysis.
4. Business Ownership Requires Scrutiny
Closely held businesses frequently underreport income.
5. Income Averaging Increases Support
Judges may average multi-year high earnings.
6. Executive Benefits Often Count
Housing allowances, vehicles, and reimbursements may be income.
7. Deviations Favor the Child
Judges may increase support for private school, travel, or lifestyle continuity.
8. Parenting Time Accuracy Matters
Inflated overnights reduce support unfairly.
9. Career Growth Justifies Modification
Promotions and raises often trigger increases.
10. Precision Beats Emotion
Clean documentation wins cases.
More Strategies to Get More Child Support
1. Overtime Counts When It’s Regular
Consistent overtime should be included.
2. Cash Income Can Be Proven
Tips and side work matter.
3. Union Benefits May Increase Income
Perks are often overlooked.
4. Seasonal Work Can Be Averaged
High seasons matter.
5. Second Jobs Can Count
Especially if ongoing.
6. Parenting Time Must Be Accurate
Missed visits raise support.
7. Expense Growth Supports Increases
Rising childcare and medical costs matter.
8. Job Stability Helps Modification
Long-term employment strengthens claims.
9. Compliance Builds Credibility
Judges reward prepared parents.
10. Modifications Are Common
Support is not static.
25 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to modify
- Accepting informal payments
- Underestimating hidden income
- Failing to document expenses
- Ignoring bonuses
- Allowing inflated parenting time
- Poor courtroom demeanor
- Incomplete financial affidavits
- Relying on verbal agreements
- Not using discovery
- Ignoring deviations
- Posting on social media
- Accepting outdated orders
- Failing to subpoena records
- Overlooking insurance credits
- Missing deadlines
- Emotional testimony
- Not challenging expenses
- Forgetting childcare increases
- Failing to update medical costs
- Poor witness preparation
- Not preparing calendars
- Ignoring enforcement options
- Letting arrears accumulate
- Assuming judges will "figure it out"
75 Frequently Asked Questions About Getting More Child Support in Georgia
1. Can child support be increased in Georgia? Yes. Georgia law allows increases when income rises, expenses grow, or custody changes.
2. How often can child support be increased? Generally every two years, or sooner with substantial changes.
3. Does a raise increase child support? Often yes, especially significant raises.
4. Do bonuses count as income? Usually, particularly if recurring.
5. Can hidden income be uncovered? Yes, through discovery and forensic accounting.
6. Does overtime count? Regular overtime usually does.
7. Can child support increase if expenses rise? Yes, especially for childcare or medical costs.
8. Does remarriage affect child support? Not directly.
9. Can stock options increase support? Often when exercised or vested.
10. Does parenting time affect support? Yes, fewer overnights increase support.
11. Can support increase if the other parent lies about income? Yes. Courts punish dishonesty.
12. Are business perks income? Often.
13. Can private school costs be added? Yes, through deviations.
14. Does inflation matter? Indirectly, through expenses.
15. Can child support increase retroactively? Rarely.
16. Does job stability matter? Yes.
17. Can commissions be averaged? Yes.
18. Does disability income count? Usually.
19. Can a GAL influence support? Indirectly.
20. Can courts impute income upward? Yes.
21. Does a second job count? Often.
22. Can support increase after custody changes? Yes.
23. Can tips be included? Yes.
24. Does having another child reduce increases? Possibly.
25. Can travel costs justify more support? Sometimes.
26. Can courts average seasonal income? Yes.
27. Are stipends income? Often.
28. Can health insurance costs be added? Yes.
29. Does child age matter? Usually no.
30. Can courts deny increases? Yes.
31. Are arrears relevant? Yes.
32. Can support increase without court? No.
33. Does military pay count? Yes.
34. Can bonuses be excluded? Rarely.
35. Can courts require forensic accounting? Yes.
36. Can income be averaged upward? Yes.
37. Can support increase after promotion? Yes.
38. Are gifts income? Sometimes.
39. Does cohabitation matter? Not directly.
40. Can courts revisit bad agreements? Yes.
41. Can childcare costs be reassessed? Yes.
42. Does work schedule matter? Yes.
43. Can support increase due to special needs? Yes.
44. Can support be increased through enforcement? Sometimes.
45. Does the paying parent’s debt matter? No.
46. Can courts consider lifestyle? Yes.
47. Can support increase due to inflation alone? No.
48. Can courts adjust for healthcare inflation? Yes.
49. Can support increase if overtime resumes? Yes.
50. Does self-employment complicate increases? Yes, but increases are possible.
51. Can courts order back pay? Sometimes.
52. Can judges punish hiding income? Yes.
53. Can support increase after relocation? Sometimes.
54. Can bonuses be prorated? Yes.
55. Can courts consider cost of living? Indirectly.
56. Can support increase for extracurriculars? Yes.
57. Can courts modify support frequently? Limited.
58. Does inflation affect guideline tables? Indirectly.
59. Can support increase after divorce? Yes.
60. Can courts require updated affidavits? Yes.
61. Does unemployment stop increases? No.
62. Can courts consider earning potential? Yes.
63. Can support increase after custody enforcement? Sometimes.
64. Can support increase for therapy costs? Yes.
65. Can courts revisit temporary orders? Yes.
66. Can courts increase support for private tutoring? Yes.
67. Can courts deny increases for bad faith? Yes.
68. Can courts include housing allowances? Yes.
69. Can courts consider employer perks? Yes.
70. Can courts adjust for inflation of childcare? Yes.
71. Can support increase after discovery? Often.
72. Can courts consider financial gifts from family? Sometimes.
73. Can courts include cash payments? Yes.
74. Can courts consider side businesses? Yes.
75. How does The Sherman Law Group help increase child support? By uncovering real income, presenting credible evidence, and fighting for what your child is legally entitled to.
What Georgia Judges Actually Look For (Judge’s Perspective)
Georgia family court judges see thousands of child support cases. What separates winning cases from losing ones is not emotion—it is credibility, math, and timing.
Judges focus first on whether the numbers are accurate and provable. Financial affidavits must align with tax returns, bank records, and employment documents. When figures do not match, judges assume the problem is credibility—not confusion. Parents who come prepared with clean, consistent documentation are taken far more seriously.
Second, judges look closely at patterns, not excuses. A single low-income year rarely controls if the paying parent historically earned more. Judges frequently average income over multiple years, especially for bonuses, commissions, overtime, and self-employment. Attempts to temporarily reduce income often backfire.
Third, judges care deeply about the child’s real-world needs. Rising childcare costs, medical expenses, educational needs, and extracurriculars resonate far more than generalized complaints about money. The most persuasive cases clearly tie requested increases directly to the child’s life.
Finally, judges reward reasonable behavior. Parents who exaggerate, obstruct discovery, or weaponize child support lose credibility fast. Calm, fact-driven requests—especially those supported by expert analysis—win.
Forensic Accountant Perspective: What Income Really Counts
When income is disputed, forensic accountants become the quiet power behind successful child support increases. Their role is simple: follow the money.
Forensic accountants analyze tax returns, business records, credit card statements, payroll data, and lifestyle spending to identify income that is often hidden or minimized. In Georgia child support cases, this analysis frequently changes outcomes.
Below is a high-level view of what typically counts as income—and what usually does not—under Georgia child support law.
Forensic Accountant Income Chart: What Counts vs. What Usually Doesn’t
Income Type | Usually Counts as Income | Notes from a Forensic Perspective |
Base salary / wages | Yes | Always included |
Overtime | Yes (if regular) | Averaged if consistent |
Bonuses | Yes | Often averaged over multiple years |
Commissions | Yes | Income averaging common |
Stock options / RSUs | Often | Typically when vested or exercised |
Business profits | Yes | Adjusted for personal expenses |
Cash income / tips | Yes | Proven through deposits & spending |
Per diem / stipends | Sometimes | Depends on reimbursement vs. income |
Employer-paid vehicle | Often | If personal use exists |
Housing allowance | Often | Especially if recurring |
Retirement contributions | Yes | Voluntary contributions don’t reduce income |
Gifts from family | Sometimes | Patterned support may count |
Loans | Usually no | Unless forgiven or disguised income |
Expense reimbursements | No (if legitimate) | Scrutinized carefully |
New spouse’s income | No | Not directly considered |
What Triggers a Child Support Modification in Georgia
Georgia courts do not modify child support simply because a parent asks. Judges require a material change in circumstances, supported by evidence. Understanding these triggers is critical to timing a successful request.
Child Support Modification Triggers Chart
Trigger Event | Usually Qualifies for Modification | Judge’s View |
Significant income increase (paying parent) | Yes | Strong basis if documented |
Significant income decrease (receiving parent) | Yes | Often supports increase |
Promotion or new high-paying job | Yes | Viewed as reliable long-term change |
Regular bonuses or commissions begin | Yes | Income often averaged |
Job loss (temporary) | Sometimes | Judges wait for stability |
Job loss (long-term) | Yes | Must be involuntary |
Change in parenting time | Yes | Overnights directly affect support |
Increased childcare costs | Yes | Highly persuasive |
Increased medical expenses | Yes | Especially ongoing needs |
Child starts private school | Sometimes | Requires deviation proof |
Child develops special needs | Yes | Strong justification |
Inflation alone | No | Must tie to expenses |
Voluntary pay cut | No | Often imputed income |
Self-employment income change | Yes | Heavily scrutinized |
New spouse’s income | No | Not legally relevant |
Birth of another child | Sometimes | Limited impact |
Retirement | Sometimes | Depends on age & good faith |
Incarceration | Sometimes | Fact-specific |
Discovery of hidden income | Yes | Judges react strongly |
Two-year statutory review | Yes | Even without changes |
Judges favor modification requests that are well-timed, well-documented, and child-focused. Filing too early—or without evidence—often weakens future efforts.
Forensic accountants also identify income suppression tactics, such as delayed bonuses, inflated business expenses, or sudden income drops before litigation. Georgia judges rely heavily on this expert testimony when determining fair child support.
Georgia Child Support Lawyer
Getting more child support in Georgia is about accuracy, preparation, and credibility—not confrontation. Judges expect clean financial evidence and child-focused reasoning.
At The Sherman Law Group, our Georgia child support attorneys build strong, evidence-driven cases that ensure children receive the support they deserve. When your child’s future is on the line, experience matters.