When parents separate or divorce, determining how financial responsibilities for their children will be shared is an important part of the process. Tennessee has established specific guidelines for calculating child support to help ensure children receive appropriate financial support from both parents. However, the amount one parent may be required to pay depends on several factors, including income, parenting time, and additional expenses. Understanding how Tennessee calculates child support can help parents know what to expect.
If you are navigating a child support matter, it is always recommended to first seek guidance from an experienced Tennessee family lawyer who can evaluate your current situation and help present the best legal case for your family’s financial future.
What Is Child Support in Tennessee?
Child support is a financial obligation intended to help cover the everyday costs of raising a child. These expenses may include housing, food, clothing, education, healthcare, and childcare. In Tennessee, both parents have a legal responsibility to financially support their children, regardless of their marital status or parenting arrangement.
Child support is generally paid by one parent to the other to help cover the child’s expenses. However, the amount is not automatically determined by which parent has primary custody. Instead, Tennessee uses a formula that considers both parents’ financial circumstances, incomes, and contributions.
Tennessee’s Child Support Guidelines and Income Shares Model
Tennessee calculates child support under the guidelines established in Tennessee Code Ann. § 36-5-101. The state law uses an Income Shares Model, which considers the combined income of both parents to estimate how much they would ordinarily contribute toward their child’s needs if they were living together.
First, the court determines each parent’s gross income. This can include wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, investment income, and certain benefits. Applicable adjustments are then made to determine each parent’s adjusted gross income.
The parents’ combined adjusted gross income is used with Tennessee’s Child Support Schedule to establish the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO). This amount represents the estimated financial needs of the child or children based on both parents combined income.
Each parent’s proportional share of that obligation is then calculated according to their percentage of the combined income. Additional expenses, including work-related childcare, health insurance premiums, and recurring uninsured medical costs, are also factored into the calculation.
Parenting-Day Credits and the 12-Hour Rule
Another important factor in determining child support is parenting time. Tennessee recognizes that parents who spend more time caring for their children generally incur more expenses. As a result, the guidelines provide parenting-time adjustments that can increase or reduce a parent’s support obligation.
Under Tennessee’s 12-hour rule, parenting day is counted when a child spends more than 12 consecutive hours within a 24-hour period under that parent’s care, control, or direct supervision. This period does not have to correspond to a traditional calendar day. It may include an overnight stay or daytime parenting time.
The guidelines also establish specific thresholds for parenting-time adjustments:
- 92 or more days per year: An adjustment may reduce the alternate residential parent’s (ARP) child support obligation to account for additional expenses incurred during parenting time.
- 69 to 91 days per year: The standard calculation generally applies without an additional parenting-time adjustment.
- 68 days or fewer: The ARP’s support obligation may be increased to account for limited parenting time.
These adjustments are calculated using a formula rather than simply subtracting a fixed amount for each additional day. Courts may also consider modifying an original support order if an adjustment is appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with the child’s best interests.
Child Support Assistance from J. Ryan Johnson Law
Tennessee’s child support calculations involve more than comparing parental incomes. Parenting time schedules, healthcare, childcare, and other financial responsibilities can all affect the final amount. As even small differences in income or parenting time can affect the calculation, consulting an experienced Tennessee family law attorney can help parents understand their obligations and protect their interests.
J. Ryan Johnson Law, a family law firm located in downtown Nashville, is dedicated to helping families throughout Tennessee with child support issues, including complex post-judgment matters and modifications. We can help you receive a fair child support award to ensure your child receives the financial support they deserve. Contact us today regarding child support orders or calculation.
