Memphis, TN family law attorney Daniel Loyd Taylor talks about how child support is determined in a divorce case. He explains that Tennessee follows a set of child support guidelines designed to provide consistency and fairness. The calculation begins with the number of days each parent spends with the child during the calendar year, which is determined by the parenting schedule. The gross income of each parent is then factored in, along with additional variables such as the cost of health insurance and child care.

These figures are entered into a child support worksheet, and once completed, the system produces a monthly child support amount. While this figure is not carved in stone, it is presumed to be the correct amount under Tennessee law. The number of children also impacts the calculation—whether there is one child, two, or more.

If a parent believes the guideline amount is insufficient, that parent bears the burden of proving why additional support is necessary. Although significant variances from the worksheet amount are rare, courts may adjust the figure to account for factors such as private school tuition, extracurricular activities, or other special expenses. When the parents’ income allows, courts have the discretion to allocate these costs either entirely to one parent or proportionally between both parents.