how to change custody in tennessee to 50/50 without a lawyer

by Mrs. Lucienne Hessel 3 min read

Can a custodial parent move with a child in Tennessee?

How to Change Custody in Tennessee Changing custody in Tennessee means changing the designation of primary residential parent in the permanent parenting plan after divorce. The key to understanding changing custody is to know the difference between the legal standards for an original custody determination and a modification of custody.

What is the difference between physical and legal custody in Tennessee?

If both parents share custody does anyone pay child support? Yes, in Tennessee child support is based off the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. If parents share 50-50/equal parenting time, child support is based upon each parent having one hundred eighty-two and one-half (182.5) days of parenting time. Related Article: Who Pays Child Support ...

What is the standard for modifying child custody?

You can do this without a lawyer, but you'll need to present this agreement to the local court for a judge's approval. If you try to skip the court altogether, you put yourself at risk. More often than you'd imagine, the parent giving up custody will have a change of heart after a while and then denies there ever was any agreement.

What is a reasonable preference in Tennessee child custody cases?

In Tennessee, if a custodial parent wants to relocate with a child, they need to send notice to the other parent. ... they can ask the court to deny the request or change custody. ... A custodial parent is free to move without court approval if it's less than 50 miles from the other parent's residence. If a parent wants to move further, or out ...

Can you modify a parenting plan without going to court Tennessee?

Changing or modifying your parenting plan or otherwise changing custody in Tennessee after a divorce requires asking the Court for a modification. In order to qualify for a modification of custody, the parent seeking the change must prove a change of circumstances which materially alters the child's well-being.

How do I file for joint custody in Tennessee?

Filing for Child Custody in Tennessee: 5 StepsStep 1: Determine your court. Either you or the other parent must have lived in Tennessee for at least six months before you can begin a case. ... Step 2: Complete your paperwork. ... Step 3: Finalize your forms. ... Step 4: Hand in your paperwork. ... Step 5: Service.

Is TN A 50/50 custody State?

Yes, in Tennessee child support is based off the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. If parents share 50-50/equal parenting time, child support is based upon each parent having one hundred eighty-two and one-half (182.5) days of parenting time.

How does 50/50 custody work in TN?

Whenever each parent cares for and houses their child 50 percent of the time, an equal parenting agreement is in place. Under equal parenting agreements, or 50/50 custody, parenting time is divided between the two parents according to the parenting plan, and residential time itself is equally distributed.

What makes a parent unfit in Tennessee?

Tennessee Code on Parental Restrictions, Unfit Parents The parent has engaged in willful abandonment that continues for an extended period of time. Physical or sexual abuse or a pattern of emotional abuse of the parent, child, or of another person in the home has occurred.Jul 9, 2020

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Tennessee?

12 years oldIn Tennessee, the child must be at least 12 years old. That would be the legal age at which the child could express a preference of a parent to live with over the other. Children should never be pressured to take sides or choose the more loved (or permissive) parent instead of the other parent (or disciplinarian).

Do you have to pay child support if you have joint custody?

When one co-parent has sole custody of their child, the non-custodial co-parent is usually ordered to pay child support to the custodial co-parent. In joint custody, a child is considered to have two custodial parents. In most cases, the parent with the higher income pays support to the parent with the lower income.

What is the average child support payment in Tennessee?

For two children, the basic child support obligation for $3,850 is $1,000 a month. Parent A's income amounts to 31% of the total combined incomes, so this parent is responsible for $310 (31% of $1,000) of the basic child support obligation.

Is Tennessee a mother or father state?

Is Tennessee a mother or father state? Neither. Some fathers' rights activists may say it is a mother state because Tennessee does not have an equal parenting time presumption.

What age can a child choose which parent to live with?

In special circumstances, a court may consider a child as young as 10 years old sufficiently mature enough to meaningfully contribute to decisions about her welfare. The over-riding factor is the best interests of the Child.Aug 25, 2015

Who pays child support in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee law, both parents are equally and jointly responsible for their minor child's “care, nurture, welfare, education and support.” Furthermore, the duty to support a biological or legally adopted son or daughter continues until that child's eighteenth birthday, or until the child's high school class ...

Can parents agree to no child support in Tennessee?

Tennessee Child Support Guidelines are Strictly Enforced (review) But, generally speaking, child support can not be waived, by agreement or otherwise. In Tennessee as well as other states child support is determined by law.Aug 30, 2010

When can parents modify a custody order?

These two conditions must apply to every parenting plan or child custody agreement modification:

How does a parent start this process?

Consult with an experienced family law attorney at Herndon, Coleman, Brading, & McKee. Every situation is unique and requires an action plan which is tailored to your goals. Tennessee law can be vague when it comes to defining what is and is not a change of circumstances.

What happens if you have custody of a child?

If the current custody order puts the child at risk, such as if one parent has abused the child or has engaged in substance abuse while having custody of the child, the court may provide temporary injunction or other special relief without requiring mediation.

What happens if there is a material change in circumstances?

If it is proven that there has been a material change in circumstances, the court must find that a modification of the parenting plan or other child custody order will serve the best interests of the child.

Why are parenting plans important?

Parenting plans and other child custody orders are intended to be permanent and to provide the subject child with stability and predictability. However even the best plans may not be able to account for every situation that can arise and sometimes modification may be necessary.

How to transfer custody of a child?

It's not easy to think about, but circumstances may arise when you need to ask someone to care for your children when life gets complicated. Whether you're thinking about giving custodial authority to a family member or custody to the other legal parent, you must follow the law. If you already have a custody order from the courts, the only ways you can transfer custody are to either: 1 put an agreement in writing with the other parent, or 2 ask the court to modify your custody order.

What happens if you share custody of a child with another parent?

If you share custody with the child's other parent, you must have permission before you change the custody arrangement. If the other parent disagrees, you'll need to file a formal request (motion) with the court to change the order.

What to do if you are paying child support?

If you're a parent currently paying support and you've agreed to become the child's primary caregiver, the first step is for you to forward your agreements to the court that handled your divorce or original custody case.

Can a parent give custody of a child to a third party?

Child custody is a serious matter that only parents and the courts can decide. Parents can't allocate custody to a third party without court involvement. However, parents can delegate legal authority to a family member or friend, with the intent that the person will have physical custody and care of the child.

How long does it take to get a parent to move?

If the notice is acceptable, and the other parent doesn't file an objection, the parent can relocate after 30 days. The court can grant the relocation without a hearing, so it's important for a non-custodial parent to file an objection within 30 days.

Why do parents move?

the moving parent wants to relocate to live with a person who has a history of child or domestic abuse , or who is currently abusing drugs or alcohol. the child relies on the nonmoving parent for emotional support, nurturing, and development and the relocation would cause the child severe emotional distress.

What is the importance of stability in a child's life?

the importance of stability in the child's life. the stability of the family unit. the physical and mental health of the parents. the home, school, and community record of the child. the child's preference , if 12 years or older. any evidence of child abuse, and.

Can a divorced parent move with a child in Tennessee?

If the nonmoving parent doesn't agree with the proposed move, they can ask the court to deny the request or change custody.

Is the internet secure?

The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties. It's common for a divorced parent to relocate with a child, but this can create problems for the other parent, including decreased parenting time and increased visitation costs.

Can a parent move with a child?

If the court determines that the parents are not spending equal time with the child, and the relocating parent spends more time with the child, the other parent can object to the proposed move. The court must allow the relocation unless the other parent can show the relocation doesn't have a reasonable purpose, or the motive for moving with the child is vindictive and intended to interfere with the other parent's visitation rights.

How to win custody battle?

How to Fight and Win a Custody Battle. The first and most important thing to do if you’re going through a child custody battle with your ex is knowing why you’re fighting for custody in the first place. There are a lot of people out there who want , or need, to win their child custody cases, but don’t know exactly what they’re fighting for.

What to do if you are late to court?

If you’re late, don’t show up, or don’t let your ex know where/when/for how long your taking the kids then there’s going to be an issue.

What happens if a non-custodial parent doesn't pay child support?

Myth #7: If the non-custodial parent doesn’t pay child support, the custodial parent loses their custody rights. This isn’t true, as it is entirely up to the court to decide how much the non-custodial parent must pay in order for them to have equal custody rights (or any at all).

Is court case stressful?

Court cases are very stressful to children (even though they have no idea what’s going on) and too much stress can lead to many child hood issues like depression, anxiety or even delinquency later in life. Myth #2: The best parent is the one with custody. Again, not always true.

Is it easy to change from 50/50 to 60/40?

I agree with Sabina. It will not be easy to change from 50/50 (which is what court's prefer) to 60/40 unless there is a change in circumstances that was not anticipated before.

Can you petition for time sharing?

You may petition for modification. However, generally, you must show that there is a substantial change in circumstances that warrants modification. Also, the circumstances that justify the change must be material, substantial and unanticipated. You inquiry does not provide any facts as to why you are considering changing the current time-sharing schedule. I urge you to consult with a family law...