Quick answer: In Tennessee, each unpaid child support installment becomes a judgment. Interest accrued at 12% until April 17, 2017; after that it stops unless the court makes a written finding (no more than 4%). In non-IV-D cases interest has run at 6% since July 1, 2018 unless the court lowers it, and in IV-D cases only if the court finds it.
This Tennessee child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid installments and simple interest at the rate you enter under Tenn. Code 36-5-101(f)(1), and flags the judgment, bond and passport thresholds. Set the rate to 0 if the court made no finding.
Tennessee child support arrears and interest at a glance
| Rule | What Tennessee says |
|---|---|
| Judgment | The unpaid amount in arrears becomes a judgment and accrues interest as the statute provides (Tenn. Code 36-5-101(f)(1)(A)) |
| Before April 17, 2017 | Interest on arrears accrued at 12% a year (36-5-101(f)(1)(B)(i)) |
| After April 17, 2017 | Interest stops unless the court makes a written finding that it continues, at no more than 4% (36-5-101(f)(1)(B)(i)) |
| Non-IV-D, from July 1, 2018 | 6% a year unless the court lowers it, including to none ((f)(1)(B)(ii)) |
| IV-D, from July 1, 2018 | No interest unless the court makes a written finding, at no more than 6% ((f)(1)(B)(iii)) |
| Interest is support | Interest that accumulates on arrearages is considered child support ((f)(1)(A)) |
| Installments as judgments | Any payment on or after its due date is a judgment with the full force of a judgment (1240-02-04-.05(8)) |
How do child support arrears work in Tennessee?
- Interest and method. See the Tennessee child support interest rule.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Tennessee.
- Whether arrears can be changed. See whether Tennessee child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid and the annual rate. The calculator adds simple interest from each due date and flags the judgment, the 30-day bond rule and the $2,500 passport line. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Tennessee child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Tennessee child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tennessee charge interest on child support arrears?
It depends on the case type and dates. After April 17, 2017 interest stops unless the court makes a written finding; non-IV-D arrears accrue 6% since July 1, 2018 unless the court lowers it.
What was the Tennessee child support interest rate before 2017?
Twelve percent a year.
Is Tennessee child support interest the same in state-enforced cases?
No. In IV-D cases interest does not accrue unless the court makes a written finding, at no more than 6%.
Is Tennessee child support interest treated as child support?
Yes. Interest that accumulates on arrearages is considered child support.
When can a Tennessee clerk issue a summons for unpaid child support?
When a parent is more than 30 days in arrears, on written application.