What Counts as a Parenting Time Day in Georgia?
Under OCGA § 19-6-15, parenting time is measured in days (not hours) for child support calculations.
A "day" means:
(i) The total number of overnights a parent spends with the child; or
(ii) In circumstances where a parent has shorter but regular and recurring daytime periods with a child, the total hours of parenting time in the annual average divided by 24 hours, including any hours spent overnight, if applicable.
The statutory formula requires counting annual parenting time days to determine adjustment eligibility.
How This Calculator Works: This calculator includes regular recurring daytime periods (commonly referred to as weekday visitation) as fractional days, which are added to the overnight days. The total annual hours of daytime visitation are divided by 24 to calculate the fractional day credit.
Notes:
To create a "50/50" alternating weeks schedule, set the Beginning and Ending as the same day of the week.
The text of any court order takes precedence over this calendar. The calendar is a visualization aid and is non-binding.
Dates of breaks may vary by school. Default dates are approximate based on historical school calendars.
This tool does not account for alternating 5th weekends. Add those manually by typing "1" on appropriate dates.
Summer Schedule gives priority over Holiday Schedule. This may impact Father's Day and July 4th.
How This Calculator Counts Parenting Time Days
This calculator uses the methodology required by Georgia law for calculating the parenting time adjustment under OCGA 19-6-15(b)(5.1).
Two-Year Averaging Requirement
Georgia law requires courts to average parenting time over a two-year period. This accounts for:
- Alternating holiday schedules (even/odd years)
- Variations in school calendars and breaks
- Leap year adjustments (730 vs 731 total days)
This calculator automatically generates 24 consecutive months and calculates the yearly average, which is the figure entered on Child Support Schedule C.
What This Calculator Does NOT Include
- Alternating 5th weekends (must be added manually)
- Makeup time or compensatory days
- Transportation time between households
- Time when child is at school, daycare, or third-party care
Frequently Asked Questions: Georgia Parenting Time Calculation
How do I calculate parenting time days in Georgia?
To calculate parenting time days in Georgia for child support purposes, count each overnight the noncustodial parent has with the child over a 12-month period. Georgia uses the overnight rule, meaning the parent with whom the child sleeps receives credit for that day. For recurring daytime periods without overnights, divide total annual hours by 24 to get fractional day credit. Courts require a two-year average to account for alternating holidays.
What is the parenting time adjustment in Georgia child support?
The parenting time adjustment in Georgia child support allows the presumptive support amount to be adjusted when the noncustodial parent has significant parenting time. Effective January 1, 2026, Georgia law requires courts to calculate this mandatory adjustment using Schedule C. The adjustment reduces the noncustodial parent's obligation based on the percentage of time the child spends with them, replacing the former discretionary "parenting time deviation."
How many parenting time days triggers an adjustment in Georgia?
Under OCGA § 19-6-15(b)(5.1), the parenting time adjustment may apply when parenting time exceeds the threshold specified in the statute. The adjustment percentage is calculated based on the noncustodial parent's share of annual parenting days divided by 365. Courts average parenting time over a 24-month period to determine the applicable adjustment on Schedule C.
Does Georgia count overnights or 24-hour periods?
Georgia counts overnights (not 24-hour periods) when calculating parenting time days for child support adjustment purposes. Under OCGA § 19-6-15, "days" means: (i) the total number of overnights a parent spends with the child, or (ii) for regular recurring daytime periods, the total hours divided by 24. The overnight rule determines which parent receives credit for each calendar day.
How do holidays affect parenting time calculations in Georgia?
Holidays affect Georgia parenting time calculations by adding or subtracting days from the regular schedule. Most parenting plans alternate holidays between parents in even and odd years. This is why Georgia requires courts to average parenting time over a two-year period—to capture the full effect of alternating holiday schedules. This calculator applies holiday overrides to the weekly schedule to accurately count each parent's days.
Can I use a calculator for Georgia parenting time?
Yes, you can use a Georgia-specific parenting time calculator to count your annual parenting time days. The calculator should account for your regular schedule, holidays, and school calendar. This tool generates 24 consecutive months of calendars, applies the overnight rule, handles alternating even/odd year holidays, and produces the yearly average needed for Child Support Schedule C.
What is Schedule C in Georgia child support?
Child Support Schedule C is the official Georgia worksheet for calculating the parenting time adjustment. Parents enter their annual parenting days (averaged over 2 years), and Schedule C calculates the percentage adjustment applied to the basic child support obligation. The yearly average from this calculator is entered directly on Schedule C.
What changed in Georgia child support law in 2026?
Effective January 1, 2026, Georgia Senate Bill 454 replaced the discretionary "parenting time deviation" with a mandatory "parenting time adjustment." Courts must now calculate and apply the adjustment using Schedule C, making the process formula-driven rather than judge-discretionary. This ensures consistent treatment of parenting time across all Georgia child support cases.
Do summer vacation days count toward parenting time in Georgia?
Yes, summer vacation overnights count toward the noncustodial parent's parenting time. Extended summer periods are a significant factor in the two-year average, often substantially increasing the noncustodial parent's percentage and reducing their child support obligation through the Schedule C adjustment. This calculator allows you to configure summer weeks for each parent.
Can I use this parenting time calculator for court?
This calculator generates court-ready documentation showing parenting time calculations over 24 months. While it produces the yearly average needed for Schedule C, the official Child Support Worksheets must still be completed. The calendar serves as supporting documentation for your Schedule C entries and can be printed without educational content for a clean court presentation.