What are the Main Factors in Determining Child Support?

When parents are divorcing, there are several issues to determine to enable them to develop a plan of care for their children. One of them is child support.

Child support varies from state to state. Each state has different guidelines based primarily on income. In Tennessee, guidelines are based on an income shares model. This model combines both parents’ adjusted gross income to come up with each party’s child support obligation. Adjusted gross income is determined by adding any Social Security benefits paid to the child, deducting any applicable self-employment taxes, and deducting any credits based on the child support paid for any other children.

There are also worksheets that can help you determine how much child support you will pay. However, child support amounts can vary based on other factors besides monthly income. Here’s a look at some of them in more detail.

What Can Affect Child Support Amounts?

The monthly income of each parent is one of the biggest factors in determining child support. However, that amount can increase based on other factors, such as:

• Custody. Child support laws in Tennessee classify parents as either the primary residential parent or the alternate residential parent. The primary parent has custody of the child more than 50% of the time, so the alternate parent generally pays child support to the primary parent.
• Daycare. The cost of daycare for one child can range from $700 to $850 a month, depending on the age of the child. If you have multiple children, you could be paying close to $2,000 a month. That’s higher than many mortgages. Your child support amount will likely rise accordingly.
• Medical insurance. Medical insurance is costly, but determining the cost per child can be tricky.Sometimes, health insurance companies offer plans for the entire family, so if this is the case, there will need to be a determination of the child’s portion for child support purposes.
• Any special needs the child has. If a child has extraordinary medical or educational needs, this could result in additional expenses, which could be added to the child support amount.
• Voluntary unemployment or underemployment. If a judge suspects that a parent is not working or working fewer hours to pay less child support, they could order a higher amount based the parent’s earning ability.
• Bonuses and commissions. Child support is not solely based on salary. Even regular bonuses and commissions can be used to calculate child support.

Contact a Murfreesboro TN Child Support Lawyer Today

In a divorce or other situation where parents split up, child support will be a concern. The state has guidelines that help determine what each parent must pay.

A Murfreesboro child support lawyer from The Law Office of David L. Scott can help you understand the guidelines and processes involved to make sure the payments are fair. We can also assist with modifications. Fill out the online form or call (615) 896-7656 to schedule a consultation.