Let's face it, kids cost a lot of money. Braces, guitar lessons, football equipment, ballet, band, lacrosse, cell phones; the list is endless and expenses increase with age.

Both parents are required to financially support their children, but only one parent will have to make a payment on a monthly basis. A child support order dictates which parent pays support and other expenses, who will provide health insurance for the children and who will pay for child care, for example. And child support must be paid as money from one parent to another (i.e., you can't pay your child's other parent's car note and call it child support-- the court will consider that a very nice gift and your child support obligation unpaid).

Courts use the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines worksheet to determine the amount of child support. It considers each parent’s income, the amount of time spent with each parent, and expenses, such as health insurance and child care. Child support usually ends when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. The Court may deviate from the basic child support obligation for only a few reasons, and in our experience will only rarely deviate downward (to a lower child support obligation).

Harrington Law is here to help with all of your child support issues. We make it a priority to ensure only the most accurate and thorough information is used when calculating child support payments.  We will ask for all relevant supporting documentation from you as well as the other party.