Nashville, TN family law attorney Anne Hamer talks about how child support is determined in a divorce case. When discussing child support, Anne explains that it is determined based on the monthly financial needs of raising a child. The state employs a formula that combines both parents’ incomes to calculate this amount, adjusting for each parent’s financial contribution and considering expenses such as childcare, insurance, and education, including special needs education.

Once all relevant financial information is input into the formula, it computes the required child support amount. Parties can then negotiate adjustments based on specific circumstances, such as additional out-of-pocket medical expenses. While child support initially follows a fixed calculation determined by the formula, parties can petition the court for modifications by providing justification for why changes are necessary.