Requirements for Deviations from Tennessee Child Support Guidelines

Requirements for Deviations in Tennessee Child Support

Requirements for Deviation in Tennessee

Often, in child support disputes, one parent may believe child support is too high.  The other parent, however, may believe child support is too low.  In a few cases, both parents may actually agree that child support should be different from that amount determined by the Tennessee worksheet calculation. It’s technically possible for a Tennessee judge to award child support other than that amount calculated, but don’t count on it.  For a judge to award a different amount, the judge must determine a “deviation” to be in the best interest of the children.  In order for the deviation to have binding legal effect, the process doesn’t just end with putting the child support amount on the form and calling it a day.

The Guidelines require listing the specific reasons for the deviation and what the child support would have been without the deviation.  Unfortunately, this step sometimes gets overlooked by the parties’ lawyers and by judges.  Consequently, this can cause legal difficulties with a child support modification later.

If there is going to be a deviation, check the specific provisions and adhere to all of the requirements.  Here is one place you definitely want to dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

TN Father Paid $600 /Mo. Arrearage Then Ordered to Pay Up To 1/2 Pay

Tennessee law case summary on child support arrearage in Tennessee divorce and family law from the Tennessee Court of Appeals. 

Ashley King V Kenneth J Wulff – Tennessee Child Support Arrearage Law

The appeals court took on the case of Ashley King, mother and Kenneth Wulff, father. The two were divorced in October of 1991. The father was required to pay child support of $300 per month through the divorce decree. In addition, the divorce decree required that the father pay half of the necessary and reasonable expenses for the college education of the minor children, which included tuition, room, board, and books until the child reaches the age of 23 or graduates.

Travel Expenses for Long Distance Parenting in TN Child Support Law

Transportation Expenses for Long-Distance Parenting under Tennessee Child Support and Parenting Plan Law

Travel Expenses for Long Distance Parenting in Tennessee Child Support

If you travel to visit your children, you know how important travel logistics are.  What time is the exchange?  Where?  Gassing up is expensive.  Flying requires compliance with the unaccompanied minor policy.  And God forbid if someone is running late – how long are you required to wait on the other parent?  It’s all stressful.

Negotiating travel expenses (costs of transporting the children for visitation) seems to be one of those items parents wait until the last minute to think about.  But it can be very important and can be a large percentage of your monthly child support obligation.  Parents should know that negotiating travel expenses is very important.  Be armed with as much information as possible, especially with estimated costs of travel such as gasoline and typical airline ticket costs.