Nashville, TN family law attorney Ethan R. Page talks about how child support is determined in a divorce case. He explains that child support is determined by a formula established by the state legislature, which requires attorneys to input specific financial and custodial information into a standardized worksheet. This includes each parent’s gross monthly income, work-related daycare expenses, and the portion of health insurance premiums attributable to the children. Additionally, the calculation requires accounting for the number of overnights each parent has with the children over a 365-day year.

Because the total must equal 365, disputes often arise over the day count, as parenting time directly affects the monthly child support obligation. The more overnights a parent has, the less child support they are required to pay, which reflects the daily costs incurred when children are in that parent’s care—such as meals, clothing, transportation, and activities.

He notes that while some parents initially prioritize a particular parenting schedule, their preferences often change once they understand how parenting time impacts the support amount. Despite this, he emphasizes that attorneys generally cannot alter the formula itself. Their role is to verify that the numbers are accurate and properly reflected in the worksheet. Only in limited circumstances—such as when a child has significant medical or educational needs—can the calculation be adjusted.

For the overwhelming majority of families, he advises that child support outcomes are determined by the statute and the verified numbers, regardless of whether the result is favorable to either parent.