The current method Georgia uses to determine child support starts with gross income.  Add both parents gross income to determine who pays what percentage to support the child, while together.  Georgia has a standard amount of support that is ordered based on the sombined gross income and each parent is responsible for a percentage.  The percentage is how much they contributed while together.  So if a father provides 100% support before the divorce or split he is responsible for 100% after, in addition to medical coverage and child care, special education etc.

     On paper this sounds fair, but it is not that simple or fair.  For example:  The mother has the children, but doesn't work.  The father works earning $1000 a month.  He will pay between $239 and $532 a month for one to six children, basic support.  Plus medical care, child care etc.  We will say that is only another $200 a month from GROSS not net. (Single tax rate almost 20% including all taxes or $200)  That leaves between $360 to $68 net.  To complicate things more you can only modify your support order every two years at the cost of $100. 

     If you lose your job you have a high support order, no money to pay rent, buy food, or even put gas in your car to get to look for work.  You can barely do it with a job.  This supportmethod also does not change is you have other children that you are the custodial parent to.  Once you fall behind, the amount goes up.  Many parents who pay, ut find themselves in a situation find themselves in jail for non payment on the taxpayers dollar when change can be made to prevent the situation.

     I say use the non custodial parents income ONLY.  Lock a maximum percentage of income so that they can afford to live.  Modify if there is a significant change of income, charge only IF there is not, or at least make it affordable to people working minimum wage trying to support their children.