Expenses have a way of creeping up over time, and inflation has many Americans pinching their pennies. Many people on either side of the child support equation are wondering about their options to modify payment amounts. When can one parent successfully request more, or the other parent receive permission to pay less? And when can child support be modified in Tennessee?
How Child Support Is Calculated in Tennessee
Tennessee adopted an Income Shares model to calculate child support in Tennessee, and a child support calculator, which is an Excel formula, is used to determine child support. The main variables that go into the child support calculator are the Gross Monthly Income of both parents and the number of days in a calendar year that each parent spends with the children. Once all of the data is plugged into the calculator, a child support obligation is computed.
When can child support be modified in Tennessee?
In order to modify child support, Tennessee applies a significant variance standard in the child support obligation, defined as an upward or downward deviation of 15% or more of the child support obligation. The standard ensures couples will not regularly find themselves in court for small pay rate changes, so the child receives the financial support they deserve.
What Counts as a “Significant Variance” in Tennessee?
One factor that gives rise to child support modifications is increases or decreases in pay for either parent. That said, people cannot simply quit their jobs or deliberately take a lower-paying job and expect to receive a modification. Tennessee judges are most concerned with protecting minor children, and public policy mandates that people pay child support.
How Parenting Time Changes Can Affect Child Support
Custody changes and increased or decreased visitation that result in more or less parenting time for a non-custodial parent can also affect a child support obligation because the number of days a parent spends with the children impacts the child support obligation. When determining whether or not a child support modification is warranted.
Why Legal Guidance Matters in Child Support Modification Requests?
The best thing to do is to consult with an attorney experienced in child support matters. An experienced attorney can review the appropriate information and plug the data into the child support calculator to see the likelihood of success for an upward or downward modification.
If you need to request an increase or decrease in child support payments, contact the Douglass & Runger team at (901) 388-5805 to learn more about your rights and responsibilities.
