Child Support Modification - Tennessee

PETITION TO MODIFY CHILD SUPPORT

Preparation note: Use this petition only after confirming the proper court, case number, service method, and current modification standard. The Tennessee Department of Human Services also offers an administrative review and adjustment route for cases it handles. A worksheet or calculator result does not itself change an order.

In the [COURT NAME], [COUNTY] County, Tennessee

Case no.: [CASE NUMBER]

Petitioner asks the Court to review the existing child-support order and enter an appropriate modified order. Petitioner states:

1. Parties and existing order

1. Petitioner is [NAME AND RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD OR CHILDREN]. Respondent is [NAME AND RELATIONSHIP].
2. The order to be reviewed was entered by [COURT OR TRIBUNAL] in case [CASE NUMBER] on [DATE]. The current support amount is $[AMOUNT] per [PERIOD]. A copy is attached as Exhibit [LETTER].
3. The order concerns [NUMBER] child or children. Identify the children in the manner required by the court's filing and privacy rules: [IDENTIFICATION].
4. The last complete judicial or administrative review of support, if known, occurred on [DATE / UNKNOWN].

2. Facts supporting review

5. Since the existing order or last complete review, the following circumstances have changed. Give dates and amounts where available, and omit any item that does not apply:

• Income or employment: [WHAT CHANGED, WHEN, PRIOR AND CURRENT INCOME, AND AVAILABLE RECORDS].
• Parenting schedule: [WHAT CHANGED, WHEN, AND THE CURRENT SCHEDULE].
• Health insurance or medical expenses: [WHAT CHANGED, WHEN, AND DOCUMENTATION].
• Other child-related circumstances: [WHAT CHANGED, WHEN, AND DOCUMENTATION].
• Other relevant facts: [FACTS].

6. The attached proposed Tennessee Child Support Worksheet is Exhibit [LETTER]. It uses the information available to Petitioner as of [DATE] and proposes support of $[AMOUNT] per [PERIOD]. Identify any unavailable or disputed input: [INPUT AND REASON].
7. The difference between the current and proposed amounts is $[AMOUNT] per [PERIOD], or [PERCENT]%. Petitioner requests that the Court determine whether the current modification standard is satisfied; the figures alone do not alter the existing order.

3. Requested order

Petitioner requests that the Court, after the required process:

1. Determine the parties' current support obligations using the evidence and applicable Child Support Guidelines;
2. If modification is warranted, set support at $[PROPOSED AMOUNT] per [PERIOD], or at the amount the Court determines, effective on the date permitted by law;
3. Address health-insurance coverage, uncovered medical expenses, and any other child-related support item that the Court finds appropriate;
4. Address any claimed arrears separately on the evidence, without treating this petition as a waiver or automatic change to amounts already due; and
5. Grant any other appropriate relief within the Court's authority.

4. Attachments

• Exhibit [LETTER]: Existing support order.
• Exhibit [LETTER]: Proposed Tennessee Child Support Worksheet.
• Exhibit [LETTER]: [ADDITIONAL DOCUMENT, IF USED].

Respectfully submitted,

• Signature: ______________________________; date: [DATE]
• Printed name: [PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY]
• Address: [MAILING ADDRESS]
• Telephone: [PHONE]
• Email: [EMAIL]
• Attorney registration number, if applicable: [NUMBER]

Certificate of service

I certify that on [DATE] I served a copy of this petition and the filed attachments on [NAME AND CAPACITY] at [SERVICE ADDRESS OR APPROVED ELECTRONIC ADDRESS] by [METHOD ACTUALLY USED]. Confirm that this method satisfies the rules and any order governing this case.

Signature: ______________________________

Printed name: [NAME]

Source and worksheet links

• Tennessee Department of Human Services: Review and Adjustment
• Tennessee Department of Human Services: Child Support Calculator and Worksheet