How Child Support is Calculated in Tennessee

When parents are no longer together, they still share financial responsibility for their shared children, which is addressed by child support. The State of Tennessee calculates child support using an income-sharing model, which means both parents’ incomes are considered. Discuss your questions and concerns about child support with our experienced child support attorney at David L. Scott in Murfreesboro, TN, today.

Income Shares: The Basics

In the income-sharing model of calculating child support, the underlying principle is that each parent must contribute financially based on their income. As such, the calculation process begins by determining each parent’s gross income, which includes virtually every form of income. Gross income refers to your income before taxes are taken out, but taxes are accounted for during the calculation process.

While many considerations go into calculating child support, the two primary variables are each parent’s income and the amount of parenting time each receives. One parent generally takes on the primary residential parenting role, meaning they have the children for at least half the time. Often, the other parent pays child support.

Accounting for Primary Deductions

There are several key deductions that can directly affect how child support is calculated, including:

• Cost either parent pays for the portion of health insurance that covers the children
• The amount that either parent pays for work-related childcare
• How much either parent pays in child support for additional children, not addressed by the current order
• The number of children addressed by the case

Calculating Child Support

To calculate child support in Tennessee, the amount the parents would spend on their children if they remained together is determined. This involves totaling each parent’s gross monthly income and using the state schedule to identify the total basic child support obligation (BCSO). From here, the BCSO is divided in direct proportion to each parent’s income share, and this amount is adjusted based on parenting time and allowed deductions.

For example, if one parent earns $4,000 a month and the other earns $6,000 a month, their total combined monthly income is $10,000. The parent who earns $4,000 is, therefore, responsible for 40 percent of the BCSO, while the parent who earns $6,000 is responsible for 60 percent.

The BCSO for $10,000 in total monthly income, according to Tennessee’s child support tables, is then divided between the parents based on their assigned percentages. This means that the obligor, or the parent responsible for paying child support, will pay their share of the BCSO to the other parent.

Turn to Our Experienced Lawyer for the Help You Need

David Scott is our trusted Murfreesboro, TN, child support attorney at David L. Scott, and he has a solid track record of skillfully guiding even the most challenging child support cases toward favorable resolutions. Learn more about what we can do to help by contacting us online or call  615-896-7656 today.