When can I reduce my Tennessee child support with more than one child?

When can I quit paying Tennessee child support when we have more than one child to support?  When can I reduce my Tennessee child support with more than one child?  When does Tennessee child support end or terminate when we have more than one child?

Tennessee child support should be reduced as a child reaches 18 or graduates with his or her regularly scheduled high school class. Specifically, T.C.A. Section 34-1-102(b) reads:

“Parents shall continue to be responsible for the support of each child for whom they are responsible after the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age if the child is in high school. The duty of support shall continue until the child graduates from high school or the class of which the child is a member when the child attains eighteen (18) years of age graduates, whichever occurs first.”

When can I reduce my Tennessee child support with more than one child?

The Tennessee Court of Appeals recommends parents who have more than one child should modify or change the existing child support order to terminate support for the graduating child and modify the amount owed for the remaining child.  Any arrearages should be reduced to judgment and a repayment plan recorded.  If there is no arrearage owed, the modified child support order should reflect that, too.  All changes to the child support order must be approved by and entered as an order with the court.

If you have only one child and want to learn when that child support obligation ends, see When does Tennessee child support end for a parent of one child?

References, Resources and More:

• Tennessee Child Support Laws
• Tennessee Child Support Law Answers to FAQs
• Tennessee Child Support Calculator & Links to App
• Tennessee Parenting Plans and Child Support Worksheets: Building a Constructive Future for Your Family
• For analysis, updates, commentary and case law summaries, view the Tennessee Child Support category of our MemphisDivorce.com Tennessee Family Law Blog.

 VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Hi, this is Miles Mason.  This Tennessee child support answer is for our family law and divorce clients and friends in Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, Tennessee and the surrounding area.  When a parent owes child support for more than on child and the oldest graduates from high school, the obligation to pay child support ends only for the oldest when that child reaches 18 or graduates with his or her high school class, whichever occurs second.  So, keep a copy of the high school graduation brochure.  Child support is owed as long as the court order says so.  The question becomes how much is owed.  Because some judges in Tennessee may take the position that you owe the higher amount until the child support order is modified, we advise parents to obtain an order amending child support as each child graduates high school.  Even though the child support obligation ceases for the oldest child, there is no clear answer as to what amount is owed for the other child or children unless new child support worksheets are run and included as part of a court order.  Get an amended order to ensure that both parents understand the obligations.  This is the also recommended by Tennessee’s Court of Appeals.  If you have any other questions, call us.