Life continues after a court issues a final divorce decree. Tennessee law recognizes that financial or personal situations shift over time. When your current child support order conflicts with reality you may qualify for a modification. The state checks for a significant variance between the existing order and current guidelines.
Involuntary income changes
A major salary increase or unexpected job loss impacts your payment ability. Tennessee guidelines generally require a 15 percent difference in the calculated support amount to justify a legal change.
Shifts in parenting time
The days you spend with your child directly influence the calculation. If a parent exercises much more or less visitation than the original order states the court can adjust payments to reflect the actual schedule.
Additional dependents
A new child changes your financial outlook. The court permits a credit for other qualified children you support in your home. This credit reduces the income available for the existing support calculation.
Evolving needs of the child
Expenses increase as children grow. New costs for private tuition, necessary medical care or pricey extracurriculars can create a valid reason for the court to recalculate the monthly obligation.
Disability of a parent
A sudden disability that prevents a parent from working changes the financial picture. The court reviews cases where a parent now relies on disability benefits or faces a long-term medical challenge.
Protecting your child’s future
Going through significant life changes while juggling child support payments can be overwhelming. It involves a lot of rules and complex computations that may need a professional’s insight as a judge will not automatically update the order when your life changes. An experienced attorney can help you with the process of modification and present accurate data so the new order supports your future.
