Determining Child Support in Tennessee

Tennessee's child support laws are provided by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. The provisions under this act stipulate rules of evidence and procedure in requesting and establishing child support. Additionally, under Tennessee's guidelines, the basic child support obligation is calculated based on the parents combined adjusted gross income and the number of children to be supported.

Uniform Interstate Family Support Act

36-5-2316. Special rules of evidence and procedure.

(a) The physical presence of the petitioner in a responding tribunal of this state is not required for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order or the rendition of a judgment determining parentage.

(b) A verified petition, affidavit, document substantially complying with federally mandated forms, and a document incorporated by reference in any of them, not excluded under the hearsay rule if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under oath by a party or witness residing in another state.

(c) A copy of the record of child-support payments certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record may be forwarded to a responding tribunal. The copy is evidence of facts asserted in it, and is admissible to show whether payments were made.

(d) Copies of bills for testing for parentage, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least ten (10) days before trial, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary, and customary.

36-5-2311. Pleadings and accompanying documents.

(a) A petitioner seeking to establish or modify a support order or to determine parentage in a proceeding under parts 20-29 of this chapter must verify the petition. Unless otherwise ordered under § 36-5-2312, the petition or accompanying documents must provide, so far as known, the name, residential address, and social security numbers of the obligor and the obligee, and the name, sex, residential address, social security number, and date of birth of each child for whom support is sought. The petition must be accompanied by a certified copy of any support order in effect.

(b) The petition must specify the relief sought. The petition and accompanying documents must conform substantially with the requirements imposed by the forms mandated by federal law for use in cases filed by a support enforcement agency.

1240-2-4-.02(5) - Basic Child Support Obligation

Tennessee determines child support based on the "Basic Child Support Obligation" which corresponds to the combined Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of both parents and the number of children for whom support is being determined. This amount is rebuttably presumed to be the appropriate amount of basic child support to be provided by both parents in the case immediately under consideration, prior to consideration of any adjustments for parenting time and/or additional expenses.

Talk with an Attorney

In Tennessee, child support issues are determined by the provisions of The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. Under the act, a petitioner can seek to establish or modify support orders or determine parentage. The courts will determine the amount of the basic child support obligation by combining the adjusted gross income of both parents and considering the number of children to be supported. Adjustments for additional expenses will also be calculated. If you face child support issues in Tennessee, talk with an attorney experienced with family law.

Thinking About Divorce?