Tennessee Child Support
Estimate for Tennessee
Tennessee uses the Income Shares model.
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)
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
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Tennessee calculates support
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.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case 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.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: 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).
Walk-through: 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).
Takeaway: Tennessee prorates the schedule base by each parent's percentage of combined adjusted gross income.
Scenario: Same two parents, but the ARP has 120 days per year (about 33%) with the child, above the 92-day credit threshold.
Walk-through: 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.
Takeaway: Once the paying parent has 92 or more days per year, Tennessee applies a parenting-time credit that lowers their payment.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://homebuilding.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines.html · https://homebuilding.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines/frequently-asked-questions1.html · https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/tennessee/Tenn-Comp-R-Regs-1240-02-04-.03