Child Support in Knoxville, TN

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support their child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.

However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support. The majority of child support cases in Knoxville fall to the Knox County Chancery Court. If you are having a child support dispute, this is likely where you will appear.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have declared your child as emancipated. Or, your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.

Terminating Rights

Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless they meet certain requirements. There may be some situations where a court ends financial responsibilities. This arrangement can happen if both parents agree that one party no longer has to contribute. For example, a parent may end their obligation to child support if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.

Certain behaviors and actions are not only harmful to an individual but can cause harm to a child as well. Tennessee Code states that if an individual engages in certain behaviors, the court may end parental rights. Behaviors such as habitual neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and excessive drug and alcohol abuse can all result in the termination of your parental rights.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Knoxville lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.

How a Knoxville, Tennessee Child Support Attorney Can Help You

If you constantly struggle to get the other parent to pay, hiring a lawyer can help you learn about your available options and guide you on the best decision for your son or daughter.

Many people struggle with parents who refuse to pay. Hiring an experienced and dedicated lawyer will bring you professional help while navigating the legal system. Additionally, you may also have an easier time getting the money your child needs and deserves to ensure a stable childhood.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services oversees a child support program. They offer several services, such as establishing parentage and aiding in changing child support agreements. They also enforce child support payments that have fallen behind. Court-ordered child support is a serious concern, as failure to pay can result in:

• Destruction of your credit
• Seizure of your bank account
• Withholding of IRS refunds or lottery winnings
• A stoppage on your passport.

Whether you look to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and look to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Knoxville can help to streamline the entire process. Without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can drain your bank account and cause traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.

Working with an attorney can help you to:

• Establish paternity
• Answer a child support petition
• File a petition for support
• Request a child support order
• Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
• Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
• Represent you in court
• Locate the other parent
• Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
• Prove income
• Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate the amount owed
• Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
• Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent

Do you believe that you deserve to receive payment from the other parent or that you are not receiving a sufficient amount? If you have to answer, yes, then make every effort to avoid missing what your kid deserves. Work with a dedicated Knoxville, Tennessee lawyer who fights for your rights as well as your child’s rights.

Information to Share With Your Lawyer

As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can proceed with your case in Knoxville. The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:

• Check stubs for the last two years or more if applicable
• Outstanding debts
• A change in debt, such as filing for bankruptcy
• Paternity records
• Adoption records
• Previous child support payment records
• Bonds, stocks, or any retirement account records
• Tax return records
• Purchase of sale records for a home, land, or any other type of assets
• Any child support forms that you have

Tennessee provides an Online Child Support Calculator that allows you to get a rough estimate of what you may have to pay monthly in child support. Most child support payments get determined by taking the gross adjusted income, as well as the number of children in the household to which support is being provided, and finding a rate that supports them comfortably.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Knoxville, Tennessee

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to a Knoxville attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.

One of our expert Knoxville attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Tennessee state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!