If you’re thinking about getting married and you have custody of children from a prior relationship, you may be wondering how the nuptials might affect the current support arrangement. Naturally, whether your ex’s obligations change will depend on the specifics of the situation. However, there are some things all custodial parents should know about family law in Georgia before getting remarried. 

Financial Circumstances Matter...

Typically, getting remarried will not affect child support obligations if you already have an order in place. However, a new marriage could impact the payments if one of you decided to go to court to request a modified arrangement. In such a scenario, your new spouse’s income might affect the proceedings if it changed your own financial circumstances dramatically. For example, if your new spouse supports the whole household and makes enough money that you no longer have to work, the court may consider their income when recalculating your ex’s obligations.

...But Only to an Extent

Even if your spouse makes several times what your ex makes, you can still expect to receive something in child support every month as the custodial parent. In the state of Georgia, all parents are obligated to provide for their children financially under family law. Based on the Income Shares Model that Georgia uses to calculate support obligations, the payments will likely be small, but they will not be waived entirely. 

If you're facing a pending custody battle—or you want to modify a current child support order—get in touch with Smith & Tabor Attorneys At Law. Located in Toccoa, GA, this small-town practice is proud to serve clients throughout Stephens County and the surrounding area, including those in Habersham, Franklin, Rabun, and Hall counties. Since 1985, they have been counseling clients in matters pertaining to family law, wrongful death, personal injury law, and estate planning. To learn more about their tireless team, visit their website. To schedule an initial consultation with a family law attorney, call (706) 886-5141.