Tennessee's Child Support Laws
Tennessee child support laws have changed recently. This may be a significant benefit to you and to your child or children. Our firm can help you determine whether you are eligible for increased child support or if you are paying too much child support. We can also help you during divorce proceedings to ensure that child support determinations are made in the best interest of your child or children.
Contact The Law Offices of Thomas M. Parker and Stanley F. LaDuke in Knoxville to schedule an appointment to review your situation. We offer a low $50.00 consultation fee for family law matters.
Read about family law.
Understanding How Child Support is Determined
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 twenty one percent (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 the child
- Medical and dental expenses
- Day care expenses
- Other children the parents are 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 the change in the child support laws, but this is not always the case. Our attorneys will review your specific situation.
Let's look at a couple of examples:
- A mother is the custodial parent of a toddler in day care. The father visits the child occasionally on weekends and 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 day care 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.
Our lawyers offer comprehensive help to clients involved in divorce and those requiring help regarding modifications.
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 an attorney for help.
