Child support is a crucial element of family law, designed to ensure children’s well-being and stability after parental separation or divorce. At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., we understand that navigating child support can be complex and emotionally charged. Our commitment is to provide clear, client-focused guidance, leveraging our experience and innovative legal tools to help families throughout Atlanta, Canton, Marietta, Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, and Duluth make informed decisions.
Understanding the Purpose of Child Support
The primary purpose of child support is to guarantee that children receive adequate financial support from both parents, regardless of their relationship status. This legal obligation ensures that children’s basic needs are met and that their standard of living is maintained as much as possible after a family transition.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, American parents received over $20 billion in child support payments, with the average monthly payment being $441. In Georgia, the law is clear: child support is for the child’s benefit, not the custodial parent’s personal use. The funds are intended to cover a broad spectrum of the child’s needs, from housing to healthcare and education.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Child Support Expenses List
Child support is meant to address a wide range of expenses necessary for a child’s upbringing. Here’s what child support is used for:
- Basic Necessities: Food, clothing, and shelter. This includes using child support for rent or mortgage payments, ensuring a stable home environment.
- Medical Care: Health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dental and vision care.
- Educational Expenses: School supplies, fees, and sometimes extracurricular activities.
- Child Care: Daycare, babysitting, or after-school care.
- Other Essentials: Transportation, personal care items, and occasionally entertainment or recreational activities.
Can Child Support Be Used for Rent?
A common question we address is: Can child support be used for rent? The answer is yes. Housing is a fundamental need, and child support can be allocated toward rent or mortgage payments for the home where the child resides. This ensures the child has a safe and stable living environment — a top priority in Georgia’s family law system.
What Does Child Support Not Cover?
While child support is flexible, it is not intended for the custodial parent’s personal expenses unrelated to the child. For example, luxury items for the parent or unrelated debts are not covered. However, the law generally gives custodial parents discretion in how funds are spent, as long as the child’s needs are prioritized.
Is Child Support for the Child or Parent?
Child support is for the child. The funds are designed to benefit the child directly, ensuring their needs are met and their quality of life is preserved. The custodial parent acts as a steward of these funds, using them to provide for the child’s well-being.
What Is Included in Child Support?
Child support typically includes:
- Regular cash payments
- Non-cash support (such as groceries, clothing, or direct payment for daycare)
- Additional payments for extraordinary medical or educational expenses, as ordered by the court
Child Support Examples
To illustrate, here are some child support examples:
- A custodial parent uses child support to pay for rent, groceries, school supplies, and health insurance premiums.
- The noncustodial parent directly pays for daycare or purchases clothing for the child.
- Both parents share costs for extracurricular activities or uninsured medical expenses, based on their incomes.
What Is the Most Child Support Can Take?
The maximum amount of child support that can be ordered varies by state and is determined by factors such as parental income, number of children, and custody arrangements. In Georgia, the “Income Shares Model” is used, which considers both parents’ incomes and the child’s needs. There is no universal cap, but the court ensures that payments are fair and reasonable, with the ability to deviate from guidelines if circumstances warrant.
What Else Do Parents Have to Pay For?
In addition to basic child support, parents may be required to share costs for:
- Uninsured medical expenses
- Child care costs
- Educational expenses (such as private school or tutoring)
- Extracurricular activities
These additional expenses are often divided between parents based on their respective incomes.
Why Child Support? The Reasons for Child Support
The reasons for child support are rooted in the child’s right to financial support from both parents. Child support helps:
- Ensure both parents contribute to their child’s upbringing
- Reduce child poverty and reliance on public assistance
- Promote the child’s well-being and stability
As the Annie E. Casey Foundation notes, “Child support can be an important income source for these children and their custodial parents who receive these payments, as well as a substantial proportion of the income or wealth of the parents who pay the support.”
Georgia-Specific Child Support Guidelines
Georgia’s child support guidelines are designed to be fair and comprehensive. The state uses the Income Shares Model, which factors in both parents’ incomes and the child’s needs. The guidelines specify that child support should cover the child’s share of basic living expenses, including housing, food, clothing, education, and healthcare. Additional expenses, such as child care and extraordinary medical costs, may be divided between parents.
Georgia courts have discretion in determining the final amount and may adjust payments based on unique circumstances. The state also enforces child support orders and can impose penalties for non-payment. For more on Georgia’s approach, visit the Georgia Department of Human Services.
Professional Advice: Navigating Child Support with Confidence
At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., our attorneys bring over 30 years of combined experience in divorce and custody cases. We emphasize the importance of:
- Keeping detailed records of payments and expenses
- Communicating openly about the child’s needs
- Seeking legal guidance if disputes arise
Our approach balances empathy with aggressive advocacy, ensuring your parental rights and finances are protected. We leverage technology to streamline the process, making it easier for you to track payments and manage documentation.
Recent News and Policy Updates
In 2025, several states updated their child support calculation methods to more accurately reflect each parent’s share of income and expenses. Ongoing policy discussions focus on improving enforcement and ensuring that child support payments are sufficient to meet children’s needs. For the latest updates, consult resources like the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What can child support be used for?
Child support can be used for any expense that benefits the child, including housing, food, clothing, education, medical care, and transportation.
Can you use child support for rent?
Yes, child support can be used for rent or mortgage payments, as housing is a basic need for the child.
What does child support not cover?
Child support does not cover the custodial parent’s personal expenses unrelated to the child or luxury items for the parent.
If I pay child support, do I have to pay for anything else?
You may also be required to contribute to uninsured medical expenses, child care, educational costs, and extracurricular activities, depending on your court order.
What is the point of child support?
The point of child support is to ensure that both parents contribute financially to their child’s upbringing, promoting the child’s well-being and stability.
What is included in child support?
Child support includes regular cash payments, non-cash support, and sometimes additional payments for extraordinary expenses.
Is child support for the child or parent?
Child support is for the child’s benefit, not the custodial parent’s personal use.
What should child support cover?
Child support should cover all basic needs of the child, including housing, food, clothing, education, and healthcare.
Additional Resources
- Georgia Department of Human Services: Child Support Services
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Office of Child Support Enforcement
- Annie E. Casey Foundation: Child Support Data
- National Conference of State Legislatures: Child Support Overview
For more information about our family law services and how we can assist you with child support or other family law matters, visit Hobson & Hobson, P.C..
At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., we are dedicated to helping you make the best legal decisions for your family. Our client-centric approach, innovative technology, and deep expertise ensure you receive the support and guidance you need during challenging times.
Attorney Sarah Hobson at Hobson and Hobson, P.C. are powerful advocates for those who fight for better futures for those going through divorce and custody law matters.