Child Support

Child support is an issue whether or not the parents were married. When minor children are involved, it is common for one parent to pay child support to the other parent. In Tennessee there is a child support calculator that considers the gross incomes of both parents, along with the number of days each parent spends with the child, other minor children residing in the home of a parent or out of home of a parent for which that parent pays support, work related child care expenses, health insurance costs for the minor child or children and recurring medical expenses of the minor child or children.

In Mississippi, child support is a flat percentage rate depending on the number of children based upon the adjusted gross income of the obligor parent.

In Tennessee, child support is paid until the child reaches the age of eighteen (18) or graduates from high school, whichever is later.

In Mississippi, child support is paid through the age of twenty-one years of age or until the child is emancipated, whichever is sooner.

Emancipation occurs:

• when the child attains the age of twenty-one (21) years, or
• marries, or
• discontinues full-time enrollment in school having attained the age of eighteen (18) years, unless the child is disabled, or
• voluntarily moves from the home of the custodial parent or guardian, establishes independent living arrangements, obtains full-time employment and discontinues educational endeavors prior to attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years, or
• joins the military and serves on a full-time basis, or
• is convicted of a felony and is incarcerated for committing such a felony, or
• cohabits with another person without the approval of the parent obligated to pay support.