Law Articles

Return to Law Dictionary Index

Tennessee Child Support Laws

Tennessee child support is based upon official guidelines for the calculation of child support. The amount arrived at under the Tennessee child support guidelines is presumed to be correct unless there is a showing that the amount would be unjust or inappropriate under the particular circumstances of the case. In determining child support, the Court will also consider the following factors:

• the financial resources of the child;

• the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the marriage had not been dissolved;

• the physical and emotional conditions and educational needs of the child;

• the financial resources, needs, and obligations of the parents;

• the earning capacity of each parent;

• the age and health of the child;

• the monetary and non-monetary contributions of each parent to the well-being of the child;

• any pension or retirement benefits of the parents;

• whether the non-custodial parent's visitation is over 110 days per year or under 55 days per year; and

• any other relevant factors.

Return to Family Law

Return to Law Dictionary Index