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Tennessee Child Support Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Do grandparents have to pay the child support if their minor child gets someone pregnant?
Sam  English
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answered on Jun 2, 2022

No. There is no responsibility for child support except from parents. As minors, the court will not enforce child support but it will be accounted for when the child emancipates.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a way to speed up remediation process and have my current alimony and child support payments reduced?

While awaiting Discovery process, is there anyway to petition the court for reduction in the current payment of spousal and child support to reduce my financial strain?

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on May 26, 2022

You can file a motion to modify if circumstances have changed enough to warrant a modification. Consult local counsel to determine your options.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: How to pursue relocation if I am the custodial parent of 2 boys?

Dad pays child support for 1 and has the standard visitation of every other weekend. There isn’t support established for the other, nor a parenting plan. He doesn’t provide any physical everyday support. The move would establish better financial support, emotional support, educational support,... View More

Thomas W Coupé
Thomas W Coupé
answered on Apr 20, 2022

The custodial parent is free to move without the court’s approval if that move is less than 50 miles from the other parent. If that parent wants to move further or out-if-state, the law requires the parent to provide a written notice to the courts and the other parent.

The notice must...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: In Tennessee does a father not married, but signed the birth certificate legally have 50:50 on his child?
Bob G Huddleston Jr.
Bob G Huddleston Jr.
answered on Mar 25, 2022

Until an unmarried father petitions for and is eventually granted custody rights, the father has parentage obligations to keep the child safe and provide financial support but has absolutely zero parental or custodial rights.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: Do I have to pay Child support if I sign my rights over
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 2, 2022

If the Order Terminates Your Rights, then no ongoing child support.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: My minor child’s father passed away. If there is no will, does child support still have to be paid out of the estate?

The father had 4 children. 2 are adults now, 1 other and mine are minors. At time of death the father was still paying child support. The sister n law has been given Administratrix over the estate. I read somewhere that child support would have to still be paid up and would come out of the estate... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Nov 23, 2021

You need to make a claim in the probate case, and don't delay because there are very short deadlines. You should hire an attorney to help you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Do I have any paternal rights to my daughter if my name is on her birth certificate, if I am court ordered to pay child

I was not married to her mother when she was born and have been told I have no rights to my daughter because of that. We do not get along very well therefore my parents do majority of communication with the mother to keep the peace and so I can see my kid. I want rights established so I can have a... View More

Paul E. Tennison
Paul E. Tennison
answered on Oct 12, 2021

File a Petition to Establish Paternity in the County you/the Mother live in. As your name is already on the birth certificate, you should be able to get parenting time through a parenting plan without having to do a DNA test. If you have additional questions, I recommend you speak with a family law... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Hello, I have 2 young children and we've been living separately from their father.

(I left due to him being emotionally abusive.) We were never married, and I have been taking care of them full time. I've been staying with my mother a couple hours away from him (He stills lives with his parents). He has typically helped me take care of their needs financially, outside the... View More

Denania Galloway
Denania Galloway
answered on Sep 6, 2021

If there isn't any type of custody order from the court and potentially he didn't sign the birth certificate, you won't have to do anything and you can just move. However, this is for TN. I do not know the laws in NM and could be completely different than in TN regarding child... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Domestic Violence for Tennessee on
Q: If I move my daughter and I out of fear for our safety when her dad has not established paternity, is there a way

For him to file for joint custody? He is currently in jail due to an FTA and we go to court next week for an order of protection. He is on probation for a domestic abuse charge that happened last October

Denania Galloway
Denania Galloway
answered on Aug 18, 2021

Yes you can definitely move. In TN, there is a presumption that a child born out of wedlock is the mother's unless paternity has been established. However, he can file something in Juvenile Court seeking paternity. To provide a better individualized response to your daughter's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Do I need a KY or TN lawyer? I live in TN. Dad lives in KY.

We have joint legal and physical custody. But he has been primary physical parent for the last year. There is a pending legal case (charges filed today) against my daughters dad for child abuse/neglect in KY. CPS has hinted there’s a possibility she could be returned to his care unsupervised if... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 7, 2021

There appears to be no Tennessee jurisdiction. Hire a KY lawyer for a Ky Case.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Will I still pay child support for a child if I have joint custody with my wife and I pay all the child's daycare cost?

I also pay my wife's car note

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Apr 5, 2021

Maybe. Child support is calculated based on the income of the parties, custody time, and other contributing factors such as insurance, daycare, maintenance, etc. These are applied to child the support guidelines to determine who pays how much to the other parent. Once you petition the court for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: What would be the appropriate steps to take and would I have any options?

I live in Tennessee. My 14 year old son had got into some trouble and had to go through court and probation. As a last option it was suggested that my son move in with me to see if I could straighten him out. He moved in with me right after Thanksgiving last year. I have a court ordered child... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Apr 5, 2021

You would need to pursue a motion to modify the current court orders and satisfy the standards for doing so as well as recalculating the child support based on the guidelines. This is not an easy process. Although some counties have forms available online, you would be wise to consult local counsel... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Iffather is $36,000 behind what can happen in Tennessee if they won't modify or punish him for contemp
Sam  English
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answered on Mar 22, 2021

The remedies for his willful failure to pay support is contempt. Both civil and criminal. If you file criminal contempt, you must prove he willfully failed to pay and punishment is up to 10 days in jail for each payment missed. Have you tried the case against him for that yet? If you have a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I have child support court with the father of my daughter.

I have been unemployed due too not being able to afford child care and loosing my job 3 months ago. What do I need to prepare for court? He has helped with food and bills but has not spent time consistent time with our child or took on more responsibility when it comes to her custodial care as a... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jan 13, 2021

An attorney would need much more info to answer a general question such as yours. Consider hiring an attorney, or, if you cannot afford one, there are associations such as legal aid that may be able to assist.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: If admitted into a skilled nursing facility in Tennessee are you still responsible for childsupport

My brother retired from the Navy and has one minor child. He pays child support out of his military retirement check. He's been admitted into a skilled nursing facility. I was told that I needed to stop the child support out of his check because all of his money should be going to the... View More

Paul Ylvisaker
Paul Ylvisaker
answered on Dec 31, 2020

I am sorry to here about your brother’s circumstances. The advice you received is partially inaccurate. You cant simply “stop” child support that was established by court order. If you are his conservator, you will need to obtain an order from the court terminating or modifying to $0.00. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: How do I get a divorce and sole custody?

My husband and I have been separated since 2015. He has not attempted to contact his kids since 2016. He is over 28000 behind on child support and has a bench warrant out for his arrest that was issued 3 years ago and is still active. He's currently going to court for dwls and they still do... View More

Paul Ylvisaker
Paul Ylvisaker
answered on Dec 31, 2020

Your questions require legal counsel to work through some of the issues you have raised. The answers provided here are general in nature and not legal advice.

Foremost, yes there is a way to get divorced even if you cannot find your spouse. The biggest issue in your case at the outset is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support and Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: Mother in law won't stop unnecessary drama and borderline harassment.

I have a mother in law that either has a drug problem or some mental health issues or both. She always brings us up in drama that she has created and won't stop contacting us even though she's been told to stop until she can act right. This has been going on for years and can not act... View More

Ross Matuszak
Ross Matuszak
answered on Dec 29, 2020

Thank you for your question. A way to keep your mother in law from contacting you is to file an order of protection. Orders of protection are civil orders granted in cases involving abuse, stalking (harassment is included in stalking for the purposes of an order of protection) or assault. From your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: I just need help with a divorce and child matters I don't know kw where to start and I don't make a lot of money.

.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Dec 18, 2020

Sounds like you really need an attorney. Contact the local legal aid department for help if you would have trouble affording counsel. There are resources available.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: If my husband is having an affair and we have two kids and a house, should I contest the divorce or agree?
Ross Matuszak
Ross Matuszak
answered on Dec 7, 2020

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. It really depends on what your goals and what you want to accomplish. Your divorce sounds like it may get complicated due to the issues you described (affair, marital home, children). I can offer some general information, but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: My fiancé’s child support case was in California. Now he and his ex both live in Tennessee. How can he get modification

The child support case is in California, but we are getting married and he is adopting my daughter. He wants to get his child support modified especially since his ex kidnapped his son to Tennessee 3 years ago and has since turned his son against him and his son doesn’t want to see him.

Paul E. Tennison
Paul E. Tennison
answered on Dec 4, 2020

This is possible. Tennessee law has a Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in Title 36, Chapter 5, Tennessee Code Annotated. This law indicates that Tennessee may modify an order for child support issued by another state. You will need to register the support order from California to Tennessee.... View More

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