When your family's situation changes, the legal agreements that once made sense may no longer fit your life. If you and your co-parent are thinking about changing your custody arrangement, you might be wondering: Does that mean child support will change, too? The short answer is — it depends. Understanding how child custody and child support work together (and sometimes separately) can help you make informed decisions for your children and your family.
If your custody arrangement has recently changed or you need answers now, contact Puryear, Newman & Morton, PLLC today by filling out our online contact form or calling us at (615) 933-2366. We are here to help you move forward.
The Connection Between Custody and Child Support
Child custody and child support are two separate legal matters, but they are often closely connected. Custody refers to where your child lives and who makes major decisions about their upbringing. Child support is money paid from one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising the child.
When custody changes significantly, it can affect how child support is calculated. Courts look at how much time each parent spends with the child and how much each parent earns when setting support amounts.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Tennessee
In Tennessee, child support is determined using a set of guidelines (rules) created by the state. These guidelines take into account each parent's income, the number of children, and how many days the child spends with each parent — this is called the parenting time schedule.
The more overnight visits a parent has with the child, the less child support they may have to pay. That is because when a child spends more time in your home, you are already covering more of their daily expenses directly.
What Counts as a "Significant" Change?
Courts will not modify child support simply because one parent asks for it. There must be what is called a "significant variance," which in Tennessee generally means at least a 15% difference between the current support order and what the new amount would be under updated guidelines.
A change in custody arrangements can create that significant variance. For example, if a child moves from spending most of their time with one parent to splitting time more evenly between both homes, the support calculation could change quite a bit.
Common Reasons Families Seek Custody and Support Modifications
Life circumstances shift, and what worked for your family two years ago may not work today. Courts understand this, which is why the law allows for modifications when there is a meaningful change in circumstances.
Here are some of the most common reasons co-parents seek modifications to their child custody and child support arrangements:
- A parent relocates to a different city or state, making the current schedule difficult to maintain
- A child's school, medical, or emotional needs have changed significantly
- One parent experiences a major change in income — such as a job loss, promotion, or new career
- The child is older and has expressed a preference about where they want to live
- A parent's work schedule changes, affecting their availability for parenting time
- One parent remarries or has additional children, which can affect financial calculations
- Evidence of instability or safety concerns in one parent's home
These are starting points, not guarantees. Each situation is different, and a court will weigh all the relevant facts before making any changes to a current order. Being prepared with documentation and a clear explanation of what has changed can make a real difference.
Can You Change Support Without Changing Custody?
Yes — it is possible to request a child support modification even if custody stays the same. If there has been a meaningful change in either parent's financial situation, or if the current order is simply outdated, you can ask the court to review and update the support amount.
Similarly, you can seek a custody change without necessarily expecting support to change. However, courts will typically recalculate support whenever custody is reviewed, especially if parenting time shifts noticeably.
The Role of Mediation in Custody and Support Changes
Before going to court, many co-parents are encouraged — or even required — to try mediation. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps both parents work toward an agreement on their own terms. It is generally less stressful, less expensive, and faster than a court hearing.
Mediation can be especially helpful when both parents are open to compromise but need guidance on finding common ground. If you reach an agreement in mediation, it still needs to be approved by a judge to become legally binding. However, courts typically honor agreements that both parents have genuinely agreed to.
What the Court Looks for When Reviewing Modifications
When a judge reviews any request to modify custody or child support, the most important factor is always the best interests of the child. Tennessee courts look at a wide range of factors to determine what that means in your specific situation.
Here are key factors courts often consider when evaluating a request for modification:
- The quality of each parent's relationship with the child
- Each parent's ability to provide a stable, safe home environment
- The child's adjustment to their current home, school, and community
- Any history of domestic abuse, substance use, or criminal behavior
- The willingness of each parent to support the child's relationship with the other parent
- The financial resources and responsibilities of each parent
- Input from the child, depending on their age and maturity
These factors are not a checklist — courts weigh them together to get a full picture of what is best for the child. Keeping detailed records and staying focused on your child's well-being (rather than conflict with the other parent) will serve you well throughout this process.
What You Should Do If You Think a Change Is Needed
If you believe your custody or support arrangement needs to be updated, it is important not to make informal changes on your own. Verbal agreements between parents are not legally enforceable. If one parent stops paying support or the parenting schedule changes without a court order, it can create legal complications — even if both parents agreed to the change at the time.
The right path forward is to file a formal petition (a legal request) with the family court and follow the proper legal process. Keeping records of any relevant changes — pay stubs, school records, medical documents, texts or emails — can strengthen your case.
Speak With a Franklin Family Law Attorney About Your Options
If you are navigating custody or child support modifications in the Franklin area, Puryear, Newman & Morton, PLLC is ready to listen and help you understand your options. Whether your situation calls for mediation or courtroom representation, having knowledgeable legal guidance can make the process clearer and less overwhelming.
Reach out to Puryear, Newman & Morton, PLLC today by completing our online contact form or by calling (615) 933-2366. You do not have to figure this out alone.