Explain the full income picture
Bring recent pay records and tax returns. If earnings include self-employment, bonuses, commissions, or changing work patterns, identify the supporting documents. Explain what has changed and when. Different sources of income may require different records to make the picture understandable.
Bring child-related costs and existing worksheets
Health-insurance and childcare costs, court-ordered parenting time, applicable parenting-time and low-income adjustments, and any supported deviations need review. Bring the current order, worksheet, later modifications, and documents explaining the relevant expenses. An online estimate does not establish what a court will order.
Raise disputed figures directly
Identify each amount you dispute, the reason, and the record supporting your position. I can then focus the discussion on the factual and legal issues that need attention. The consultation should also address what additional information must be obtained.
A useful starting file
- Recent income records and tax returns for the information available to you.
- Business records if self-employed and documents explaining variable earnings.
- Insurance, childcare, and relevant child-expense information.
- Existing support orders, modifications, and worksheets.
Georgia law and useful resources
O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15, including (b), (j), and (k).