Tennessee’s Child Support Laws

Tennessee’s child support laws have changed drastically in the past year. This may be a significant benefit to you and to your child / children. As divorce, child custody, and child support lawyers, we can help you determine whether you are eligible for increased child support or if you are paying too much child support. Contact us for an appointment to review your situation.

The most drastic change to Tennessee child support law is found in the analysis of income upon which the child support amount is based. Previously, only the non-custodial parent’s income was considered. For example support for a single child was a straight 21% of allowable net income. Now there is an elaborate calculation that takes many factors into account, including:

• Both parents’ household incomes
• Amount of time / overnight visits that child spends in each household (amount of time the child is in custody of each parent)
• Health insurance premiums for child
• Medical and dental expenses 
• Daycare expenses, and
• Other children the non-custodial parent is supporting.

What the Changes in Tennessee Child Support Laws
May Mean to You

As a general rule, custodial parents are receiving more child support as a result of this order – but this is not always the case.

Let’s look at a couple of examples:

• A mother is the custodial parent of a toddler in daycare. The father visits the child occasionally on weekends, pays child support, but does not cover the child on his medical or dental insurance. In this instance, the custodial parent – the mother – is likely to benefit from the change in the law. There will likely be an increase in child support paid by this father to compensate for daycare expenses and medical insurance. 
  
  
• An upper-income father has two families. His first family includes two children, both in school. His second family includes two preschoolers. He covers health insurance for all of the children through his workplace family coverage. His children from his first marriage stay with him every weekend and for the entire summer vacation, as well as on Christmas and Easter vacations. In this instance, a recalculation of child support will likely result in a reduction in the child support order paid by this father.

Every case is different. There are many variables. It may be in your best interest and the interest of your child to ask for a review of your child support case, and you’ll need to contact a family law attorney for help.

Child Support Modification

You must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for a review of your child support order:

1. The income of the parent paying child support must be 15% greater or less than his or her income at the time the initial child support order was put in place, and THEN
2. A new child support calculation must show that the new child support order would result in a 15% variance (increase or decrease) in the amount of support, THEN
3. You are entitled to a child support modification. 

You will be entitled to a child support modification if there is at least a 15% variance.

Contact us to schedule an appointment to meet with a Tennessee child support attorney to determine whether you qualify for a modification in your child support this year—or next year.

The law firm of Thomas M. Parker and the law firm of Stanley F. LaDuke represent clients throughout eastern Tennessee, including Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Loudon, Kingston, Maryville, and Clinton, and Knox, Sevier, and Roane counties.

The Law Office of Thomas M. Parker 
The Law Office of Stanley F. LaDuke

108 Sherway Road
Knoxville, Tennessee 37922

Telephone: (865) 694-4685
Fax: (865) 691-2444
CONTACT US