Work-related Childcare Expenses in Tennessee Child Support
Day care, after school care, child care, and other work-related childcare expenses are added to the Tennessee child support calculation. Work-related childcare expenses can be the most expensive routine monthly expense for working parents. Keep all documentation of expenses and proof of payment.
Childcare expenses are added to the BCSO if those expenses are necessary for a parent’s employment, education, or vocational training. Before taking these expenses into consideration, the court must determine that the employment or education is appropriate. Also, the childcare expenses must be appropriate to the parents’ financial abilities and lifestyle of the child. The goal of the Guidelines is to provide the same level of support as if the parents were living together. Therefore, to determine whether the expenses are appropriate, the court looks at whether they would have been appropriate if the parents and child were still living together.
Keep Evidence of Actual Historical Monthly Cost of Work Related Childcare for Tennessee Child Support
Keep Evidence of Actual Historical Monthly Cost of Work Related Childcare for Tennessee Child Support
For childcare expenses, the amount used in the calculation is the actual amount incurred by the parent needing and paying for the work-related child care. If the amount varies from month to month, then the average monthly amount is used. Make sure you keep all documentation of amounts charged and proof of payment. Find, keep, and save copies of:
- Most recent contract with child care provider;
- Child care provider monthly statements or invoices for last 12-18 months; and
- Proof of payment including but not limited to bank statements (if auto draft), canceled checks, credit card monthly statements, and receipts.
Your lawyer may also want you to ask the child care provider if you may have a print out of annual billing showing monthly charges and payments made to the child care over the last 12 – 18 months.
If the childcare is subsidized by a public assistance program, then only the amount actually paid by the parent or caretaker is included in the calculation.
See the introduction to this page, Important Expenses Added to the Tennessee Child Support Calculation.
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.
