This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Tennessee — Alimony & Child Support

Tennessee uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

1. Financial resources of the party seeking support

   The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to that party, and the party's ability to meet needs independently.

2. Time needed to acquire education or training

   The time necessary for the party seeking maintenance to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment.

3. Standard of living during marriage

   The standard of living established during the marriage.

4. Duration of the marriage

   The length of the marriage, which typically influences both the amount and duration of any support award.

5. Age and physical/emotional condition

   The age and the physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance.

6. Ability of payor to meet own needs

   The ability of the payor spouse to meet his or her own needs while paying maintenance.

7. Contributions to the marriage

   Contributions of each party to the marriage, including homemaking, childcare, and supporting the other spouse's career or education.

8. Tax consequences

   The tax consequences of the maintenance award to each party, including post-TCJA federal treatment (no deduction/no inclusion for orders after 2018).

9. Marital misconduct

   In some states, evidence of marital fault such as adultery or cruelty may be considered; others prohibit fault consideration by statute.

10. Child-care responsibilities

    Whether either party has primary custody of minor children such that employment outside the home would be inappropriate or difficult.

11. Four TN alimony types

    TN recognizes alimony in futuro (long-term), alimony in solido (lump-sum), rehabilitative alimony, and transitional alimony. Rehabilitative is preferred.

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Tennessee Alimony and Child Support Guidelines

Tennessee law treats alimony and child support as separate obligations governed by different statutes and guidelines. Child support is determined under Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04, which apply a formula based on the parents' incomes and custodial time. Alimony, governed by Tenn. Code § 36-5-121, is decided by a court based on a set of statutory factors, not a formula, and is entirely discretionary. The official child support guidelines and the state's online calculator compute the amount using the published rules; the official source at tn.gov provides the exact details and any exceptions. The worked example below illustrates the calculation method. To estimate your own potential obligation, use the state's child support calculator.

Governing authority

In Tennessee, the alimony child support rule is set by Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 (child); § 36-5-121 (alimony); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04. The verified packet cites Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 (child); § 36-5-121 (alimony); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04 (https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines.html).

Tennessee alimony child support: the verified value is 0% under Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 (child); § 36-5-121 (alimony); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04. The verified packet cites Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 (child); § 36-5-121 (alimony); Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04 (https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-support-services/child-support-guidelines.html).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.