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State Guide · Tennessee
Child Support in Tennessee: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Tennessee child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Adjusted gross income — gross income from all sources minus taxes and other mandatory deductions per the worksheet. Means-tested benefits (TANF, SNAP, SSI) and child support received for other children are excluded.
Tennessee uses the Income Shares model under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04 (effective Oct. 1, 2021), based on each parent's ADJUSTED GROSS monthly income. The CS Schedule sets the basic obligation by combined AGI and number of children (up to $28,250/month, with a formula above). Each parent's share is prorated by AGI. A parenting-time adjustment reduces the Alternate Residential Parent's (ARP) obligation once they have 92 or more days per year with the child. The Primary Residential Parent (PRP) typically receives payment. Support is governed by Tenn. Code § 36-5-101.
Open the Tennessee child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Tennessee calculator.
How a support order is established in Tennessee
Apply for Child Support Services through the TN Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Support Services Division, or file through a private attorney or on your own.
Establish parentage if unmarried (Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity or court-ordered genetic testing).
Both parents disclose income; DHS or the court determines adjusted gross income and imputes income for voluntarily unemployed/underemployed parents (a stay-at-home parent is not presumed voluntarily unemployed).
Complete the mandatory Tennessee Child Support Worksheet (online, Excel, or app), entering income, parenting days, health insurance, and childcare to get the presumptive amount.
Obtain an order from the court or administrative tribunal; the worksheet amount is presumptive and deviations require written findings.
Request a review/modification; IV-D cases are reviewed at least every three years, and a \'significant variance\' can trigger a modification.
Worked examples
Illustrative example — basic split — Parents\' combined adjusted gross monthly income is $2,000 with one child. The ARP earns $1,200 (60%) and the PRP earns $800 (40%). The ARP has standard parenting time (under 92 days). From the CS Schedule, combined AGI of $2,000 with one child is $421/month. The ARP pays 60% of the base: 0.60 × $421 = $253/month, plus 60% of add-ons (health insurance and work childcare). Tennessee prorates the schedule base by each parent\'s percentage of combined adjusted gross income.
Illustrative example — parenting-time adjustment — Same two parents, but the ARP has 120 days per year (about 33%) with the child, above the 92-day credit threshold. The worksheet applies a parenting-time adjustment that reduces the ARP\'s base obligation as overnights increase, reflecting the ARP\'s direct spending during that time. The exact credit scales with days; the threshold is 92 days/year. Once the paying parent has 92 or more days per year, Tennessee applies a parenting-time credit that lowers their payment.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Tennessee can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (DHS Child Support Services) — https://homebuilding.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines.html
Tennessee Child Support — FAQ & Worksheets — https://homebuilding.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines/frequently-asked-questions1.html
What income basis does Tennessee use?
Adjusted gross income — gross income from all sources minus taxes and other mandatory deductions per the worksheet. Means-tested benefits (TANF, SNAP, SSI) and child support received for other children are excluded.
How does parenting time affect the amount?
If the Alternate Residential Parent has 92 or more days per year with the child, the worksheet applies a parenting-time adjustment that reduces their obligation.
Who is the PRP and who is the ARP?
The Primary Residential Parent has the child more than half the time and typically receives support; the Alternate Residential Parent usually pays it.
When can the court deviate?
The worksheet amount is presumptive; a judge can deviate only with a written finding that applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate.
At what age does support end?
Generally at age 18 (or high school graduation if later); the guidelines apply to new and modified orders from hearings on or after Oct. 1, 2021.
Tennessee child support calculator
Estimate for Tennessee
Tennessee uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.
Tennessee Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: gross · Statute: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04-.06
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$806.67per month
Official schedule: Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, Rule 1240-02-04-.09 (Oct. 2021 Revised). Income basis = Monthly Combined Adjusted Gross Income. (2024)
Annual estimate$9,680.04
Effective rate16.1%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Tennessee schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$1,452
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$807
Estimated monthly support
$807
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $807 Other parent: $645
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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