Family LAW

Child support is about children's needs and an equal balance of responsibilities between parents. In most cases, the parent without primary custody makes child support payments, but in cases where income disparity is great, the situation may be different.

Determining the level of child support that is paid under Tennessee law depends on the child custody agreement and the economic means of the parents. Child support will not last forever. Generally, child support payments are made until children reach the age of 18, but other arrangements can be made as long as children are dependents. For example, you might want to make an agreement with the other parent about funding your child's college education.

In the end, child support payments are your child's money, and it will go toward fulfilling the best interests of your child as defined in your support agreement and ratified by the court.

At Fidelis Law, PLLC, we are concerned with the best interests of children, but also with advocating for our clients in child support agreements. We are committed to negotiating the fairest terms for your family and ensuring that your interests are protected in regard to the factors that the court will use to calculate child support, including:

• Gross income of all types
• Costs of day care and extracurricular activities
• Costs of education
• Costs of health insurance, health care and any special needs
• Child support obligations to children from other relationships
• Requirements of the child custody agreement

We also help parents seeking legal counsel and representation in regard to child support modification. In the event that either parent experiences a substantial change in circumstance, such as job loss, health complications or another reason for significant income reduction, a modification may be negotiated. However, this is a complex process, and you should not enter negotiations or legal proceedings without the representation of an experienced lawyer.