Franklin Child Support Lawyers

Serving Williamson County Families Through Every Stage of a Support Case

Child support disputes arise in divorce proceedings, but also when unmarried parents separate or co-parenting arrangements break down. Whether you’re seeking to establish an order, respond to a claim, or enforce an agreement that isn’t being honored, having the right representation matters from the start. Our child support lawyers in Franklin represent parents on both sides of these cases, bringing the same attention to detail and one-on-one client focus to every matter.

Garrett | Talley & Thorington has been serving the Franklin and Greater Nashville communities since 1973. As part of our comprehensive family law practice, which includes child custody, divorce, and parental rights, we handle child support cases with the local court familiarity that comes from decades of practice before the Williamson County Circuit Court and Chancery Court. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations to make quality representation accessible to the families we serve.

Call (629) 245-2933 or contact us online today to schedule an appointment with our child support attorneys in Franklin.

How Tennessee Calculates Child Support

Tennessee uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support. Under this framework, the obligation is based on both parents’ combined adjusted gross income, and each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of that combined total. If one parent earns 60% of the combined income, they’ll generally be responsible for 60% of the base obligation. Tennessee guidelines cast a wide net when defining income, recognizing wages, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, and other sources in that calculation.

When evaluating how much child support may be owed in Franklin, judges commonly review the following factors:

• Parenting Time: The number of overnight days each parent has with the child directly adjusts the base support obligation. A parent with substantial parenting time may receive a reduction to reflect the costs they carry directly.
• Number of Children: Tennessee’s guidelines account for the increased costs of raising multiple children, and support amounts are adjusted accordingly.
• Healthcare Costs: Both parents are generally responsible for making sure the child has adequate health insurance. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs, including co-pays and prescriptions, are factored into the calculation.
• Education Expenses: Support may encompass books, supplies, and extracurricular activities. Depending on the circumstances, private school tuition may also be considered.
• Childcare Costs: Daycare fees and after-school care expenses for working parents are included in developing the final support amount.

Child support matters in Franklin are heard in the Williamson County Circuit Court or Chancery Court, which apply Tennessee’s guidelines worksheets updated effective October 1, 2021. Courts also have the authority to approve guideline deviations, either upward or downward, when applying the standard formula would produce an unjust result. These deviations require specific judicial findings and aren’t automatic.

When a child’s needs aren’t fully captured in the initial calculation, the right documentation can make a meaningful difference. Our family law team works closely with families in Franklin to clarify calculation details and advocate for all relevant factors, including medical needs and unique expenses, to be reflected in court filings.

What Tennessee Courts Won’t Consider When Changing Child Support

Tennessee courts apply consistent limits on what they’ll consider when reviewing a request to change child support. These restrictions are designed to maintain fairness and prevent strategic financial decisions from shifting the burden away from the child’s actual needs.

When reviewing a modification request, Tennessee courts won’t consider the following:

• Temporary financial difficulties or minor changes. Short-term struggles, such as a brief income dip or minor fluctuation, typically don’t meet the threshold for a modification. The change must be both substantial and ongoing.
• Voluntary unemployment or underemployment. If a parent intentionally reduces their income without a valid reason, courts may impute income based on earning capacity rather than actual earnings. A deliberate drop in pay doesn’t justify a reduced obligation.
• A new spouse’s income. Tennessee’s child support framework is based solely on the legal parents’ incomes. What a new partner earns plays no role in the calculation.