Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Child Support legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Tennessee Child Support Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: how can I put my child’s father on child support without his social security number? Would a DNA test work?
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 19, 2023

In Tennessee, you can initiate a child support case without the father's Social Security number, although having it can expedite the process. If you don't have the number, other identifying information like date of birth, address, or place of employment can be helpful. A DNA test may be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: So if a mother abandoned her child and husban which is best for the child taking her rights or drawing child support?

Wife walked out on us 24yrs married 13yr old daughter and ain't helped any for food or bills

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 17, 2023

The best way to proceed depends on the best interests of the child and the specific circumstances of the case. For personalized legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances, it's advisable to consult with an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I get my child support taken directly out.of.my check but I got a letter stating that I wasn't paying . Trying to take

My license s away

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 8, 2023

That happens frequently. Hire an attorney now to investigate the child support history and the order, then represent you at Court. You might go to jail or have the license revoded.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: How can a contest a child support judgement against me that I can’t afford nor make that kinda money to even pay it
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 26, 2023

You have to file a Motion To Modify CS for substantial and material change in your circumstances. Must go to the Court that ordered support, and you may have to comply with local Court rules (tax returns; pay statements; etc).

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: My divorce papers have no child support start date so do the payments start now?

He marked "hand directly to parent" on the papers and when I mentioned this to him he said he's just going to wait for them to come out of his check on its own. Do I need to take him back to court or what do I do because he doesn't want to pay it and the papers was filed March 2, 2023.

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 16, 2023

It sounds like you did not go to Court, so you do not know what if anything is going on. Call Court and find out when the divorce decree was entered. Order for CS starts then. If no case at Court, then you are not divorced. If CS is not paid, then you must file a Petition to hold him in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: If someone has a captious for child support in Knoxville, Tennessee is that public knowledge?
Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 13, 2023

Capias will be filed in the Court's records, and are thus public records unless sealed by Court Order.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: My ex husband is refusing to give me a copy of his W2 per the court order in our divorce decree. What should I do?

Live in Tennessee. Divorced in 2016 with 2 kids and have never received a copy of his W2’s from him. Since 2016 he is no longer covering our sons daycare as he is in school (my lawyer said when he was out of daycare to go to court for a readjustment in child support but haven’t yet and my son... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jan 16, 2023

You can enforce court orders through contempt petitions. You can seek to modify orders through motions for modification. Both can be tricky to navigate without counsel. Maybe check with legal aid to see if you qualify for help if you can't afford a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: How do I file abandonment against my ex husband?

My ex husband hasn’t help support our children in three years. They only time he communicates is if I reach out to him first. The only times he sees our children is if I reach out. He doesn’t reach out because I don’t want a “friendship” with him so he takes that as he cannot see our... View More

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 31, 2022

I doubt you have sufficient grounds for divorce. You will probably need an agreement (irreconcilable differences) as abandonment is not going to suffice. Your only leverage will be child support. Hire an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Can I be forced to pay child support on a child whom the courts forcefully terminated my parental rights on 15 years ago

I was served papers from another county to appear in juvenile Court over a child who is in state custody for which my rights were forcefully terminated 15 years ago

Bob G Huddleston Jr.
Bob G Huddleston Jr.
answered on Oct 21, 2022

Support obligations terminated when the parental rights were terminated.

However, if there was retroactive owed at the time of the initial order of support and unpaid ongoing support wasn't paid in full prior to your parental rights being terminated, then you would owe for all of that...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Noncustodial parent hasn’t paid child support and has a personal injury case How can I confirm if settlement was reach

We have a contempt of court case coming up and I’d like to prove that he has money to pay child support.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jul 20, 2022

Check the dockets. Settlements are oftentimes confidential, so you may never get that information. Consult with a local attorney about how to attach that settlement/potential settlement.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Will a judge take normal child support and leave a father in homeless?

I'm struggling with my own self because of what my in-laws and wife has done. I'm trying to pick up the pieces they left behind. I'm trying to do that, support my son and make a life for us. If I get hit with what is normal on child support I'll be literally on the streets.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jul 1, 2022

Judges tend to place child support as priority number 1 as far as "creditors" go. I've been in front of judges that have told litigants to forego utility bills, credit cards, etc., to make their child support payments first because failure to do so could land you in jail.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Info on how to defend myself against child support when being put into a situation by my wife and in-laws

My wife has taken my child from me before. This time after we got back together and moving to TN because she hated Wisconsin. She and her Mother-in-law left me with a debt that include my Mother-in-law not paying for her husband's and her cell phone in a attempt to take me out the picture.... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jun 30, 2022

Child support is determined by income of the parents with certain deductions for insurance, day care, and medical costs. This calculation is then made on the guidelines in accordance with the custody schedule. Having "debt" is not going to factor much, if at all. You would be wise to hire... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Can I ask my child’s father have to pay my attorney fees since I have to take him to court for non payment

My child’s father has not paid his court ordered child support in almost 5 years, the state of Tennessee tells me to get a lawyer bc we have a parenting plan which states the father is to pay 200 a month for the child. Has not paid in almost 5 years, I don’t have money to be paying for a... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jun 28, 2022

As the other answer says, you can seek attorney's fees. These are authorized by statute, including civil or criminal contempt. However, if you are awarded fees, it's just a judgment like anything else. He may not have the ability to pay and you may not be able to collect. You would still... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: Do I have to be divorced to be put on child support.

How is child support determined if you are still married. I’ve been separated almost 2 years.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jun 13, 2022

You can get a child support order pending divorce. Or you could file for legal separation and seek custody/visitation. Support is calculated using the parties' income, deductions for things like insurance and child care, and then applied to the guidelines. Seek local counsel to assist you to... View More

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
Sam English
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...
View More

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
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
PREMIUM
Nina Whitehurst pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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.

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.