Does Inflation Affect Child Support Payments?

Will Child Support Automatically Increase Due To Inflation?

Does Inflation Affect Child Support Payments in Gwinnett County, Georgia?

In Gwinnett County, Georgia, like in many parts of the country, the concern of inflation is on the rise, particularly for those who are already managing the challenges of a higher cost of living. As inflation continues to impact our daily lives, it’s essential to understand how it may affect child support payments.

Interested in learning how inflation might be impacting you right now? Click to view the Online CPI Inflation Calculator.

Will Child Support Automatically Increase in Gwinnett County Due to Inflation? In some states, child support payments can automatically adjust to keep pace with the increased cost of living. This adjustment can occur if the court has included a cost of living adjustment (COLA) clause within the child support order. With a COLA clause in place, the required child support payment will annually increase, taking into account specific economic factors like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and changes in both the paying and receiving parents’ incomes. In certain cases, these adjustments may be based on estimates of how each parent’s income will change due to inflation.

However, if your child support order in Gwinnett County does not include a COLA clause, your payment obligations will not automatically increase.

Can You Request a Modification Due to Inflation in Gwinnett County? Both paying and receiving parents have the option to request a modification of the child support order whenever there is a change in circumstances that justifies an adjustment to the payments. This adjustment can involve increasing or decreasing the payments. Inflation is indeed a valid reason to seek a child support modification as long as there is a substantial change in either parent’s income and financial status, or the needs of the child. If the custodial parent is facing financial difficulties due to the rising cost of living, they may request a modification that necessitates an increase in the noncustodial parent’s payments. If approved, this modification will become a permanent part of the child support arrangement in Gwinnett County.

What If the Paying Parent Cannot Afford the Increased Payments? If the paying parent is unable to manage the higher payments, they must provide evidence of their financial situation and request a modification to lower the child support amount. It’s crucial to notify the court of this situation rather than skipping payments, which could lead to contempt charges.

Consult a Gwinnett County Child Support Attorney If you have concerns about how inflation might affect your current child support arrangement in Gwinnett County, Georgia, we encourage you to reach out to Sachs Family Law. We understand the unique challenges and complexities of family law matters, particularly those related to finances. Our experienced child support attorney in Gwinnett County is here to assist you in securing a child support arrangement that aligns with your needs and those of your children. Please contact us online today to schedule an appointment with Dodie Sachs our Gwinnett County child support lawyer.