What Does Child Support Actually Cover in Tennessee?

You’re paying child support, or maybe you’re receiving it. Either way, you’re probably wondering what that money is supposed to pay for. Can it be used for your child’s school supplies? Medical bills? Soccer league fees? What expenses does child support actually cover in Tennessee?

Tennessee’s child support system is more detailed than most people realize. Knowing what’s included helps you plan your budget and avoid conflicts with your ex about who should pay for what.

What Does Child Support Cover in Tennessee?

Child support in Tennessee is calculated using two main categories:

1. Basic Child Support Obligation

2. Additional Expenses.

The Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) covers everyday living expenses. This is the baseline amount calculated from the Tennessee Child Support Schedule based on both parents’ combined income and the number of children.

Beyond the BCSO, Tennessee requires parents to share certain additional expenses. These get added on top of the basic amount because they vary so much from family to family.

What Does the BCSO Include?

Think of the BCSO as covering the costs of a child living in the household.

It’s designed to ensure children have adequate shelter, food on the table, clothes to wear, and basic necessities.

• Housing (rent or mortgage, utilities)
• Food and groceries
• Transportation
• Clothing
• Entertainment and recreation
• Basic public school education expenses (fees, books, local field trips)

What Additional Expenses Get Added to Child Support?

Certain expenses are too variable to include in the baseline calculation. Tennessee requires parents to share these costs separately because they differ so much from family to family.

These additional expenses get added on top of your basic child support amount:

Health Insurance Premiums

The cost of the child’s portion of health insurance premiums must be included in child support calculations. This can include medical, vision, and dental coverage if available at a reasonable cost.

Recurring Uninsured Medical Expenses

Medical costs not covered by insurance get added to the child support calculation if they’re recurring and predictable.

Examples of uninsured medical expenses:

• Co-payments for doctor visits
• Insurance deductibles
• Prescription medications
• Orthodontic treatment
• Dental care beyond basic cleanings
• Vision care (glasses, contacts, eye exams)
• Physical therapy
• Mental health counseling
• Treatment for chronic conditions like asthma

If these expenses happen regularly enough that you can establish a monthly amount, they’re added to the basic support obligation.

Work-Related Childcare

Daycare, before and after school care, and other childcare expenses necessary for a parent to work, attend school, or complete vocational training get added to child support.

What counts as work-related childcare:

• Daycare center fees
• In-home nanny or babysitter costs
• Before-school care programs
• After-school care programs
• Summer day camp (if needed for work coverage)

If childcare costs vary month to month, the calculation uses the average monthly amount. Only the actual amount you pay counts.

If you receive subsidies from public assistance programs, only your out-of-pocket portion gets included.

What About Extracurricular Activities?

Your child’s sports, music lessons, summer camps, and other activities aren’t automatically included in the basic child support calculation.

But they can be added as “special expenses” under certain conditions.

Activities that might qualify:

• Sports teams and leagues
• Music or art lessons
• Summer camps
• School clubs and activities
• Travel for competitions
• Academic enrichment programs

There’s a catch: these expenses must exceed 7% of your Basic Child Support Obligation before the court will consider adding them. If your BCSO is $1,000 per month, special expenses would need to total more than $70 per month to potentially be added.

The court looks at whether these activities contribute to your child’s cultural, social, artistic, or athletic development. They also consider whether the expenses are appropriate given your family’s financial circumstances.

Does Child Support Cover Private School Tuition?

Private school tuition is not included in the Basic Child Support Obligation. Tennessee law treats private schools as an “extraordinary educational expense.”

Whether one or both parents must help pay for private school depends on several factors:

• Whether a private school is necessary for your child (such as for special needs)
• Your family’s financial ability to afford it
• Whether you previously agreed to private education
• The standard of living your child would have enjoyed if you stayed together

Courts have ruled that private school tuition can justify an upward deviation from the child support guidelines. But you’ll need to make a specific case for why it’s appropriate.

The same applies to college expenses.

Tennessee courts cannot order parents to pay for college after a child reaches 18, unless both parents agree to it during divorce negotiations or it’s included in your parenting plan.

What Child Support Doesn’t Cover

Some expenses remain the responsibility of individual parents based on their parenting time or specific circumstances.

Not typically included in child support:

• Expenses during your own parenting time (when the child is with you)
• Gifts for the child
• Entertainment during your parenting time
• Travel to and from your house for regular visitation
• College tuition and expenses (unless specifically agreed upon)

However, long-distance parenting situations are different. If parents live far apart and regular visitation requires significant travel, those travel expenses can be factored into the child support calculation.

How Do You Know What Your Child Support Should Be?

The only way to know exactly what your child support includes is to look at your child support worksheet.

Every Tennessee child support order must include a completed worksheet showing how the amount was calculated.

Your worksheet breaks down:

• Each parent’s income
• The Basic Child Support Obligation
• Health insurance costs
• Recurring medical expenses
• Work-related childcare costs
• Any deviations or special expenses
• The final support amount ordered

If you don’t have a copy of your worksheet, you can request one from the court or your attorney. Understanding what’s in it helps you know what expenses are already covered and what costs you might need to split separately with your ex.

What Happens When You Disagree About Expenses?

Conflicts about who pays for what come up all the time. The best approach is to refer back to your parenting plan and child support order.

If an expense isn’t specifically addressed, look at whether it falls under the categories we’ve discussed:

• Is it a basic living expense? (Probably covered by BCSO)
• Is it related to healthcare? (Probably split according to income)
• Is it an extracurricular activity over 7% of BCSO? (May need separate agreement)
• Did it come up during your parenting time? (Might be your responsibility)

When you genuinely can’t resolve a dispute, you may need to file a motion with the court for clarification or modification of the support order.

Get Clear Answers About What Child Support Covers

Whether you’re establishing support for the first time or dealing with questions about an existing order, we’ll make sure you understand exactly what you’re responsible for.

Our team at The Law Office of Sam Byrd helps parents in Chattanooga understand their child support obligations and rights. We’ll review your current order, explain what’s included, and help you take action if modifications are needed.

Contact us today. Don’t let confusion about child support create unnecessary conflict with your ex or leave you paying for expenses twice. Get clear answers about your specific situation.