Child Support · Nashville Office
Child Support Lawyer in Nashville, TN
Wise Law handles child support cases in Davidson County and surrounding Tennessee counties: setting support, modifying it when income or parenting time changes, and enforcing unpaid back support. Tennessee calculates support from both parents' incomes and the parenting schedule. At Wise Law, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000. Wise Law is the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, Louisville, Kentucky.
Tennessee Child Support: Key Facts
| Our fees | At Wise Law, upfront flat fees for child support cases range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. Court appearances and hearings are priced separately before each begins. See pricing |
|---|---|
| Court | In Davidson County, support in a divorce is handled in Circuit Court, and support between parents who were never married is generally handled in Juvenile Court. We also handle cases in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties. |
| How support is set | Tennessee's income shares guidelines: both parents' incomes are combined, a basic support amount is set, and the result is adjusted for the number of days each parent has the child |
| Added costs | The child's health insurance and work-related childcare are generally divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes |
| Modification | Generally requires a significant variance, usually a 15% difference between the current amount and the new guideline amount. Support generally cannot be changed for the period before the petition is filed. |
| When support ends | Generally at age 18. If the child is still in high school, support generally continues until the child graduates or the child's class graduates, whichever comes first. |
| Enforcement | Unpaid support can be enforced through income assignment, contempt of court, and other collection tools |
| Governing law | Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 and the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04 |
| Handled by | Paige Redd, Managing Attorney, Nashville |
Child Support Cases We Handle
Establishing support
Setting child support as part of a divorce or parenting plan, or in a separate case between parents who were never married.
Modifying support
Raising or lowering support after a job change, a change in parenting time, or a change in the child's needs.
Enforcing back support
Collecting unpaid support, or defending a parent facing an enforcement or contempt action.
Support with parenting plan changes
Support is often recalculated when the parenting schedule changes. Nashville child custody
How a Child Support Case Works in Tennessee
Free phone consultation
An attorney reviews your situation and quotes your upfront fee.
Income and schedule information
Both parents provide income information, health insurance and childcare costs, and the number of days each parent has the child.
Guideline calculation
Support is calculated on the Tennessee child support worksheet.
Petition
A new case starts with a petition. A change to an existing order starts with a petition to modify.
Agreement or hearing
Parents can agree on support, subject to the court's approval. If they do not agree, the court decides after a hearing.
Support order
The court enters the order, usually with an income assignment through the employer.
Credentials
- Paige Redd, managing attorney, Nashville: licensed in Tennessee since April 2020, practicing family law in the Nashville area for nearly her entire career. Read her bio
- Christopher Wise, founder of Wise & Associates: Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2023–2027; Louisville Business First 20 People to Know in Law, 2023 and 2026.
- Wise & Associates: Best Law Firm in Louisville, The Courier Journal Best of Louisville (reader-voted), Winner 2022 and 2023, Top 3 2025 and 2026. All awards
Nashville Child Support Questions
How much does a child support lawyer cost in Nashville?
At Wise Law, upfront flat fees for child support cases range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. The firm does not bill hourly, and the first consultation is free.
How is child support calculated in Tennessee?
Tennessee uses an income shares model. Both parents' incomes are combined to set a basic support amount, which is divided by each parent's share of income and then adjusted for the number of days each parent has the child. Health insurance and work-related childcare are generally added and divided by income.
When can child support be modified in Tennessee?
Generally when there is a significant variance, usually a 15% difference between the current support and the amount the guidelines would produce now. Support generally cannot be changed for the period before the petition is filed, so it is important to file promptly.
When does child support end in Tennessee?
Generally at age 18. If the child is still in high school, support generally continues until the child graduates or the child's class graduates, whichever comes first.
What can be done about unpaid child support in Tennessee?
Back support can be enforced through income assignment, contempt of court, and other collection tools. Past-due support does not simply go away, and support that has already come due generally cannot be reduced after the fact.
Do I still have to pay support if I do not see my child?
Yes. Child support and parenting time are separate obligations. A parent who is being denied parenting time should ask the court to enforce the parenting plan, not stop paying support.
Talk to a Nashville Child Support Lawyer
Consultations are free and by phone. Book a time, then call the office at your scheduled time.
Wise Law4235 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 208-9190
Wise Law is the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, Louisville, Kentucky.
Attorney advertising. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.