Get Your Child Support Agreement Done Right
Negotiating and finalizing your child support agreement will consider several financial factors, the best interests of your children and the details of your child custody agreement. Child support plays a role in equalizing parental responsibilities, especially when there is a large income disparity between the parents and when the visitation schedule is lopsided.
At The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones in Bartlett, we protect your best interests. Going into child support or any type of divorce negotiation without an experienced lawyer representing your side is like walking into a lion’s den. You are unprepared, ill-equipped, unsuspecting and vulnerable.
Proven, Customized Advocacy For You And Your Children In Tennessee
Attorney Jeffrey H. Jones brings over 35 years of experience to your family law matters. Your case is in the hands of a practiced advocate when you retain our services. Our legal counsel and representation are individualized to your unique situation and the particular interests of your children.
The contribution of each parent in child custody and child support agreements is a team effort to do what is necessary and best for children. Your relationship with the other parent will not end upon divorce or separation. Your children will still depend on your combined care. For this reason, it is important to make these agreements amicably and in your children’s best interests.
Can You Modify Child Support Payments?
Yes, child support payments may be modified, and they are not meant to last forever. Modification is possible if either parent experiences a substantial change in circumstance (e.g., job loss, income reduction, health issues or remarriage), but it is not a simple process. The court will not be quick to allow modification without sufficient evidence, and the best interests of your child will still determine the extent of modification.
Our law firm also assists clients in need of child support enforcement prosecution or defense. If payment or visitation obligations are not being met, the court can take serious legal actions, including:
- Bank account levying
- Wage garnishment
- Withholding federal tax refunds
- Property seizure
- Fines
- Suspension of an occupational license
- Suspension of a driver’s license
- Imprisonment/contempt
- Loss of certain parental rights
To seek a modification of your child support payments in Tennessee, you must follow a specific process. First, you’ll need to file a petition with the court, detailing the substantial change in circumstances that warrants a modification. Next, you’ll gather and present evidence to support your claim, such as financial documents, employment records or medical reports. The court may then schedule a hearing or mediation to discuss the proposed modification and determine if it is in the best interests of the child. If the court approves the modification, it will issue an order outlining the updated child support terms.
How Is Child Support Determined In Tennessee?
In Tennessee, child support is calculated using the Income Shares Model. This model takes into account both parents’ combined adjusted gross income and the number of children requiring support. The court will also consider factors such as parenting time, health care costs and child care expenses when determining the final child support amount.
The basic steps for calculating child support in Tennessee are:
- Determine each parent’s gross income
- Adjust the gross income for allowable deductions
- Add both parents’ adjusted gross incomes to determine the combined adjusted gross income
- Use the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines to find the base child support obligation
- Allocate the base child support obligation between the parents based on their proportional share of the combined adjusted gross income
- Make adjustments for additional expenses, such as health insurance, child care and extraordinary educational or medical needs
Our experienced attorney, Jeffrey H. Jones, can help you navigate the complexities of child support determination in Tennessee and ensure that your child’s best interests are protected throughout the process.
How Do Courts Enforce Child Support In Tennessee?
When a parent fails to meet their child support obligations, the court has several enforcement tools at its disposal. These tools are designed to encourage compliance and ensure that children receive the financial support they need and deserve.
Some of the most common child support enforcement methods used by Tennessee courts include:
- Income withholding: The court can order the noncustodial parent’s employer to withhold child support payments directly from their paycheck.
- Contempt of court: If a parent willfully disobeys a child support order, they may be found in contempt of court and face fines or even imprisonment.
- License suspension: The court can suspend a nonpaying parent’s driver’s license, professional license or recreational license until they become current on their child support payments.
- Interception of tax refunds and lottery winnings: The state can intercept a nonpaying parent’s federal and state tax refunds or lottery winnings to satisfy outstanding child support debts.
- Liens and asset seizure: The court can place liens on a nonpaying parent’s property or seize their assets, such as bank accounts or vehicles, to pay overdue child support.
At The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones, we understand the importance of enforcing child support orders to ensure your child’s well-being. Our skilled attorney can help you navigate the enforcement process and work tirelessly to secure the financial support your child needs.
Consult A Reliable Attorney For Child Support Advice
Please contact us online or call our office at 901-410-5751 to schedule a consultation at your convenience – day, evening or weekend.