georgia support for disabled adult children
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As of July 1, 2024, Georgia enacted landmark legislation allowing courts to order child support for disabled adult children beyond age 18. Under updated provisions of OCGA §19-6, parents may now be required to provide ongoing financial support for an unmarried adult child who cannot support themselves due to a physical or mental disability that began before age 18. This represents a significant change from prior Georgia law, which generally ended child support at age 18 (or age 20 for children still in high school). At Jaffe Family Law, we help parents across Georgia understand how this new law affects their rights and responsibilities.

The statute applies to individuals legally defined as “dependent adult children,” meaning the adult child must be unmarried and unable to achieve self-support because of a qualifying disability with onset prior to adulthood. Conditions such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and other developmental or physical impairments may fall within this definition. Courts evaluate each case individually, focusing on the child’s long-term care needs and functional limitations rather than relying on rigid child support guidelines.

Support for a disabled adult child may be requested as part of a divorce or separate maintenance action, or through an original petition filed by a parent, guardian, custodian, or even the dependent adult child. Georgia courts consider multiple factors when determining support, including each parent’s financial resources, the child’s current and future care requirements, available government benefits, and which party provides day-to-day supervision. Judges also have discretion to require life insurance to protect the child’s financial security and must ensure court-ordered support complements—rather than replaces—state or federal disability benefits.

Because these cases involve substantial judicial discretion and complex financial planning, proper documentation is critical. Courts typically require medical records, professional evaluations, and detailed financial disclosures from both parents. Support orders may later be modified if circumstances change, and families are often encouraged to coordinate support with special needs trusts and estate planning to preserve eligibility for programs such as SSI or SSDI while ensuring long-term stability for the child.

Jaffe Family Law proudly represents families throughout the entire state of Georgia, including Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Athens, and surrounding communities. If you are navigating child support issues involving a disabled adult child—whether you are seeking support or responding to a claim—our experienced Georgia family law attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact Jaffe Family Law today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can help protect your child’s future and your financial interests.

CALL FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY (678) 358-5291
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