Child Support Attorney in Gallatin, TN
When it comes to your child’s well-being, having effective legal protection during your case is key. Working with a Gallatin child support lawyer can help ensure your rights, and the rights of your child, aren’t violated at any point during legal proceedings. You need a strong legal advocate to fight for what’s fair during such an important case.
Hire a Child Support Lawyer That You Can Trust
For decades, the team at Phillips | Ralston has been a pillar in Gallatin’s legal community. Our family law attorneys understand the heartache that can accompany a child support case.
The outcome not only affects your future, but also the future well-being of your child. We help Sumner County residents by providing competent and empathetic legal services.
Experience You Can Trust. Speak with a Phillips | Ralston
attorney today.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Tennessee
In 2023, 23% of Gallatin residents were under 18 years of age. There were 3,173 Gallatin homes being run by a female householder, compared to 1,120 homes being run by a male householder.
When a marriage ends, Tennessee courts can order either parent to provide financial support for the children. These cases are typically overseen at the Sumner County Chancery Court, located at 155 East Main Street.
When a court determines child support, it considers a variety of factors to ensure that the support arrangement is fair. The court will generally start by applying the Tennessee child support guidelines. This sets a presumptive amount based on the income of the paying parents and the unique needs of the child.
If the court finds that the guidelines would be unfair in a specific case, it can decide on an alternative amount, but it has to provide parents with a written explanation for the change. When making their final decision, the court considers:
- Each parent’s income, including income from wages, investments, and any other sources
- Financial support already being provided for other children
- Healthcare needs, including the availability and cost of insurance
- Life insurance coverage or other financial provisions to protect the child
Before moving forward with your child support case, you’ll want to hire a child support lawyer. The other parent of your child will have their own legal representation, making it critical that you remain protected. Lawyers fully understand state laws and are employed to protect their clients’ interests.
The other parent will likely be looking for the most favorable outcome for them, meaning you may not receive a fair outcome if you don’t have your own legal representation.
The Consequences of Not Paying Child Support in Tennessee
Not paying child support can have severe consequences. A child support order is treated like any other court order and can be enforced in Tennessee and other states.
Interest can be added to any missed support payments. For cases after July 1, 2018, interest is 6% unless the court sets a lower rate. Other consequences for not paying can include:
- Having your tax refund taken by the court to use for child support payments
- Bank funds being seized
- A lien being enforced
- Driver’s or professional licenses being suspended or revoked
If you’re struggling to meet your child support payments, it’s important to request a modification to the order as soon as possible.
FAQs
How Does a Modification to a Child Support Order Work in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, either parent can ask the court to change a child support order if there is a significant change in circumstances. This includes a parent losing a job, any changes in income, changes in healthcare or lifestyle needs of the child, if one parent has a new child, if one parent moves, if a parent becomes disabled, and other major changes in life. If you think your circumstances qualify for a modification, speak to a Gallatin child support attorney.
What Is Retroactive Child Support in Tennessee?
Retroactive child support is support that a court can order for the period before a formal support order was entered. Courts typically consider retroactive support when one parent didn’t pay support before the order was established. The court can adjust how far back payments go, depending on fairness and the parents’ behavior, such as avoiding paying. Normally, retroactive support can’t go back more than five years before the case was filed unless the court finds good reason to do so.
Can Tennessee Courts Take My Income to Pay Child Support?
If a court orders child support, it can require the paying person to have money automatically taken from their income. This can include wages, salary, bonuses, pensions, disability payments, and other sources. In general, withholding cannot take more than 50% of the paying parent’s income after taxes and child health insurance costs are deducted. Immediate withholding is usually required unless the parent pays on time consistently or if both parents agree on a different arrangement.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan outlines the details of a child’s life in a divorce case. The plan should include which parent can make decisions regarding the child’s education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing. Parents can agree that either can make emergency decisions for the child’s safety. Each parent may make daily care decisions while the child is with them. If parents cannot agree on a parenting plan together, they must each submit proposed plans to the court.
When Does Child Support Typically End in Tennessee?
Child support typically ends when the child gets married, passes away, or finishes high school. This can only happen if the paying parent doesn’t have more children to support and has paid off any overdue amounts and court costs. If the paying parent still has children to support but no longer owes support for one child, they can still request a modification to the support order. If custody changes, termination of child support can be requested.
Choose a Trusted Law Firm in Sumner County
Reach out to Phillips | Ralston today to schedule your confidential consultation. You don’t have to go through this by yourself. Our legal professionals are proud to be a part of our clients’ support systems.
