Tennessee Child Support Calculator

How Tennessee Calculates Child Support

Tennessee calculates child support by first combining both of your gross incomes to determine a basic support obligation from a state schedule. This total amount is then divided between you and the other parent based on your percentage share of the combined income. Governed by the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04), the final amount can be adjusted for factors like health insurance costs and parenting time.

Understanding Parenting Time & Adjustments

In Tennessee, parenting time significantly impacts the final child support amount when a parent has the child for 92 or more overnights per year. As established in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04-.08(2)(c), once this threshold is met, a variable parenting time credit is calculated and applied, which reduces the paying parent's obligation. This adjustment acknowledges the increased direct costs associated with substantial parenting time, including 50/50 arrangements.

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✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Tennessee Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority T.C.A. § 36-5-101 / Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04
Shared Custody Threshold 92 Overnights
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or upon High School graduation, whichever is later)
Modification Standard 15% Change in Support Amount

Frequently Asked Questions About TN Support


At what age does child support end in TN?

Child support in Tennessee ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school with their regular class, whichever occurs later. This is mandated by Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-101(k), which establishes the termination conditions for the support obligation. The obligation does not automatically continue into college.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in TN?

If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, a Tennessee court will typically impute income to them based on their potential earning capacity. The court considers factors like the parent's work history, qualifications, and local job opportunities to determine a fair income level for calculation purposes, as outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04-.04(3).

How do I modify a child support order in TN?

You can modify a child support order in Tennessee by proving a 'significant variance,' which is legally defined as at least a 15% change between the current order amount and the proposed new amount. This standard, found in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-5-101(g)(1), requires filing a petition with the court to formally request the modification.

Does TN child support cover college expenses?

No, Tennessee law does not require parents to pay for college expenses as part of a child support order. Support obligations automatically terminate at age 18 or high school graduation, and any contribution to post-secondary education must be voluntarily agreed upon by the parents and included in a separate legal agreement.

How does TN handle health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance premiums and reasonable work-related childcare costs are divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of the combined income. As outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04-.07, these costs are added to the basic child support obligation to ensure both parents contribute fairly to these necessary expenses.