Tennessee Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Tennessee Child Support Calculator?

The Tennessee Child Support Calculator is an online tool built to help parents estimate their monthly child support obligations according to the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. It uses both parents’ gross monthly income, the number of children, parenting time (days spent with each parent), and child-related expenses—like health insurance and childcare—to calculate an estimated payment.

While this calculator provides a close estimate, remember: the final child support order is always set by the court. The calculator is for informational purposes only and should not replace legal advice.

How the Tennessee Child Support Calculator Works

The Tennessee calculator follows the state’s Income Shares Model. This model assumes that children should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would if both parents lived together. Here’s how it works step by step:

1. Enter Both Parents’ Gross Monthly Income

Start by entering the gross monthly income for both parents.

• Parent A (Primary Parent): Usually the custodial parent or the one the child lives with most of the time.
• Parent B (Alternate Parent): The noncustodial parent who typically makes child support payments.

2. Add the Number of Children

Select how many children you share. The calculator supports up to five children. The more children, the higher the base support obligation.

3. Include Parenting Time

Input the number of days per year the alternate parent (Parent B) spends with the child. Tennessee adjusts the support amount if Parent B has more than 92 days per year with the child, reflecting shared parenting time and duplicated expenses.

4. Add Health Insurance and Childcare Costs

Enter any monthly health insurance premiums or work-related childcare expenses. These additional costs are shared proportionally between both parents based on their income percentage.

5. Calculate the Result

Click Calculate to see your estimated monthly child support payment. The calculator uses a built-in schedule of guideline percentages from Tennessee’s official support tables. You’ll see the estimated payment amount displayed clearly.

Example: How Support Is Estimated

Let’s look at a quick example:

• Parent A’s income: $4,000/month
• Parent B’s income: $2,500/month
• One child
• Parent B parenting time: 92 days
• Health insurance: $150/month

The calculator combines both incomes ($6,500), determines each parent’s share, then applies the state’s child support schedule. After adjusting for parenting time and shared costs, the tool shows an estimated monthly payment from Parent B to Parent A.

This process gives a realistic idea of what the court might order—but again, only the judge can finalize the amount.

Understanding the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines

The Tennessee Child Support Guidelines are based on fairness and consistency. They take into account:

• Both parents’ total combined income
• The number of children
• Each parent’s percentage of income
• Parenting time adjustments
• Additional child-related expenses

The goal is to ensure children maintain financial stability and benefit equally from both parents’ resources.

Why Use an Online Calculator?

Using a Tennessee Child Support Calculator offers several advantages:

Accuracy: Uses Tennessee’s official guideline schedule for up-to-date estimates.
Transparency: Helps both parents understand how numbers are calculated.
Convenience: Fast, free, and easy to use on any device.
Preparation: Useful before mediation or court hearings.

Important Reminder

The Tennessee Child Support Calculator is an estimation tool, not a legal document. The final amount depends on your individual case, any special circumstances, and the court’s discretion. If you need legal advice or expect complex factors (like self-employment income or split custody), it’s best to consult a Tennessee family law attorney.