Full question:
My husband was married 14 years ago to another woman. This other woman became pregnant, claimed the child belonged to another man and then married the other ma beofre the baby was born. Now, after 14 years, she is claiming the child is actually my husband's. We live in Tennessee. Is it possible for her to be awarded back child support as well as future child support for this child fromy my husband.?
- Category: Paternity
- Date:
- State: Tennessee
Answer:
In Tennessee, if a man is determined to be the biological father, he may be responsible for both past and future child support. The court can award retroactive support from the child's birth date, but several factors may affect this decision:
- The father’s knowledge of the child’s existence, birth, or possible parentage.
- The mother’s failure to inform the father about the child.
- Any attempts by the mother to notify the father of her pregnancy or the child's existence.
If the court finds that applying standard support guidelines would be unjust, it can adjust the amount of retroactive support. However, deviations are not allowed in cases involving domestic violence, rape, or if the child has been harmed.
Additionally, Tennessee has the right to recover any support amounts owed, and the Title IV-D child support agency can pursue retroactive support for the custodial parent. The court must document its findings if it deviates from the standard support guidelines.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.