Standard Parenting Time Schedules and Court Guidelines in Georgia
Georgia has no standard parenting time schedule in its statutes. The order sets the schedule, and for child support the noncustodial parent’s court-ordered days feed a formula using days to the power 2.5.
Does Georgia have a standard parenting time schedule?
Not in the statutes. The custody statute lets the judge decide custody and the parenting time arrangement on the child’s best interest (O.C.G.A. 19-9-3), and the child support order must specify the amount of the noncustodial parent’s court-ordered parenting time (O.C.G.A. 19-6-15(c)). The schedule itself is set in your agreement or the court’s order.
How does the child support parenting time adjustment work in Georgia?
Parenting time shall be determined by calculating the number of days a parent spends with a child in a two-year period for an annual average, where days are overnights or, for regular daytime periods, total hours divided by 24. The noncustodial parent can have 182.5 days or fewer. The reduction of that parent’s share of the basic obligation is the parent’s days to the power 2.5 divided by the sum of both parents’ days to the power 2.5.
| Pattern (other parent) | Days a year | Share of the year | Adjustment factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 of 14 nights | 52 | 14.2% | 1.1% |
| 4 of 14 nights | 104 | 28.5% | 9.1% |
| 5 of 14 nights | 130 | 35.6% | 18.5% |
| 6 of 14 nights | 156 | 42.7% | 32.5% |
| 7 of 14 nights | 183 | 50.1% | 49.7% |
| 9 of 14 nights | 235 | 64.4% | 18.5% |
These are our counts of a repeating 14-day pattern before extra summer or holiday nights, and the factor applies to the noncustodial parent’s share of the basic obligation.
Why 2.5?
The exponent means the reduction is smaller than the share of days: at 120 days the noncustodial parent has 32.9% of the days but the factor is about 14.4%, and the two come together only near an equal split.
What if a parent does not use the days in Georgia?
Neither parent can file a petition to modify child support within two years of a final order on a prior petition by the same parent, except when the noncustodial parent has failed to exercise the court-ordered parenting time, has exercised more than the order provides, or the motion rests on an involuntary loss of income (19-6-15(k)(2)).
How do daytime hours count in Georgia?
Where a parent has shorter but regular and recurring daytime periods with the child, the days for the adjustment are the total hours of parenting time in the annual average divided by 24, including any overnight hours. The overnight count in the Georgia parenting time calculator does not include daytime hours, so add them as extra days if your order has them.
What should a written schedule cover in Georgia?
- The regular pattern, with exchange days, times and a place.
- Holidays, school breaks and summer, and how they replace the regular pattern.
- The day count, so child support uses the right factor.
- Transportation, communication and decision-making.
- How changes are agreed and put in writing.
Can the schedule be changed later in Georgia?
Yes, on review without changed circumstances once in each two-year period for the visitation or parenting time portion (19-9-3(b)), or in a new proceeding on a showing of a change in material conditions or circumstances.
What if the parents cannot agree in Georgia?
The judge decides on the child’s best interest and the 17 factors, and on request must set out written findings for the custody award (19-9-3(a)(8)). See the uncontested versus contested divorce in Georgia post for how agreed and disputed cases differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a standard parenting schedule in Georgia?
No statewide schedule appears in the statutes; the order sets the schedule.
How are parenting days counted for Georgia child support?
As overnights, or hours of regular daytime periods divided by 24, averaged over two years.
What is the maximum noncustodial days in the Georgia calculator?
182.5 days; the parent with fewer days is the noncustodial parent.
How much does a 7-in-14 schedule reduce Georgia support?
At 182 days the factor is about 49.7% of the noncustodial parent’s share of the basic obligation.
Who sets the schedule if Georgia parents cannot agree?
The judge, on the child’s best interest.
Official sources
- O.C.G.A. 19-6-15: child support guidelines
- O.C.G.A. 19-9-3: custody of child; best interest factors; change of residence
- Georgia Child Support Commission: online child support calculator
- Georgia Child Support Commission: parenting time adjustment instructions
- Georgia Code Title 19, chapter 5: divorce
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Georgia statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Georgia attorney.