Child-Related Issues In Divorce

More than perhaps any other issue in divorce, child-related issues can be contentious and complicated to resolve efficiently.

Hayes Thomas PLC, is a Nashville lawyer with more than 20 years of experience representing Tennessee clients in child custody, visitation, support and other divorce-related issues in cases involving large estates or complex financial issues. Mr. Hayes was the fourth lawyer in the Nashville area to be named a fellow in the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has been selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by his peers every year since 2007. Clients benefit from the experience and knowledge that Mr. Hayes brings to each case, as well as his commitment to providing sound legal counsel for every client he represents.

Child Custody And Visitation

Numerous factors go into a child custody decision. However, the dominant factor for a trial court is that placement of a minor child is in the best interest of the minor child. The custodial arrangement for a minor child is set forth in a Parenting Plan, under which each parent is granted specific residential parenting time (formerly referred to as “visitation”) with the minor child. The actual number of days each year that each parent will spend with the minor child must be stated in the Parenting Plan.

Child Support

Tennessee uses an “income shares” formulae to calculate child support under the rationale that both parents are liable for child support in Tennessee. Specific categories of information, such as monthly income, number of days of residential time per year and work-related childcare expenses, among others, are input into a child support calculator and a “base amount” of child support is generated. However, there are a myriad of factors that can either increase or decrease this base amount. Therefore, it is important to retain an attorney familiar with Tennessee child support and the factors that may increase or decrease the base amount of child support determined by the child support calculator.

Learn more about custody, visitation and support in the Divorce Guide.

Contact Larry Hayes Jr.

Call 615-214-5500 or email Mr. Hayes to schedule a consultation.