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If you are no longer in a relationship with your child’s other parent, you undoubtedly have some concerns about paying child care costs by yourself. After all, most parents spend more than $13,000 per year on each child in their household. Fortunately, you likely do not have to assume all the financial responsibility of raising the young one in your family.
In Georgia, courts regularly order parents to make child support payments. Regrettably, though, many parents rely on untrue information to the detriment of both themselves and their children. Here are three common misconceptions about child support you should not believe.
1. Divorce is a prerequisite to child support
Some Georgians think they may not pursue child support until they divorce their spouses. In fact, you may be eligible for child support during divorce proceedings. You may also qualify for child support even if you never married your child’s other parent, of course.
2. Child support does not apply with shared custody
In the Peach State, judges must consider the best interests of the child when making child-related decisions. When determining if child support is appropriate, the court is likely to consider each parent’s income, the needs of the child, regular parenting time and other relevant factors. Accordingly, even if you and your child’s co-parent share custody, you may still qualify for child support.
3. Moms never pay child support
Georgia’s child support laws are blind to the gender of the parents. Fathers and mothers alike may have to pay child support if doing so is in the best interests of their children. Nevertheless, a judge may consider how much time the child spends with each parent when making a support order. If a child spends a significant amount of time with his or her dad, mom is likely to be on the hook for child support.
Even though there is a great deal of misinformation about child support on the internet and other places, you do not have to fall victim to myths. Ultimately, before taking any action related to child support, you should be certain you have both the facts and the law on your side.