Child Support in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Family Law
Tennessee applies income shares model with presumptive guidelines; support ends at age 18 or high school graduation.
How Tennessee treats Child Support
Tennessee uses the income shares approach, calculating support from both parents' gross income according to statutory tables. Child support terminates when the child reaches age 18 or graduates high school, whichever occurs later. The state allows deviation from guidelines only when the obligor demonstrates the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Tennessee requires health insurance coverage be maintained as part of the support order.
The general definition of Child Support
Court-ordered payments from one parent to the other for a child's living expenses.
Child support is money that a court requires one parent to pay to the other parent (or guardian) to help cover the child's expenses like food, housing, education, and healthcare. The amount is usually calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents' incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements. Child support continues until the child reaches the age of majority, typically 18 or 21 depending on the state. It's a legal obligation separate from custody decisions.
Read the full Child Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.