Memphis, TN family law attorney Daniel Loyd Taylor talks about how child support is determined in a divorce case. Tennessee’s child support guidelines are based on the number of days each parent has custody of a child during the calendar year, which is calculated according to the parenting schedule. These guidelines also consider each parent’s gross income and several other variables, including the cost of health insurance and child care expenses, as well as who is responsible for these costs. A child support worksheet is used to compile this information and calculate a monthly support amount.

This calculated amount is presumed to be accurate but is not fixed. The number of children—whether one, two, or more—is also a factor. If one parent believes a higher support amount is necessary, they carry the burden of proof to demonstrate the need. Significant deviations from the worksheet’s amount are uncommon, though additional expenses such as private school tuition or extracurricular activities may be ordered by the court if the parents’ income allows. The court may require one parent to cover these expenses or allocate them proportionally between both parents.