Child Custody and Mediation from Hoffman Law and Mediation Office

Child custody battles can be painful experiences for all involved - especially the children.

When families go into court and let a 3rd party decide who will have custody and who will be the non-custodial parent, nobody wins.

If a parent is forced into a child custody order from the court, the feelings of hurt and unfairness can sometimes overflow into the lives of the children. Forcing a parent into a court order regarding child custody is not always in the child's best interest.

It is always better for parents to meet and mediate their differences.

Sometimes in negotiating a mediation agreement, one parent may have to give in a little, but the benefits of this can pay off - nobody wants to be told what to do by a judge. When a parent gives in through mediation, the healing process can continue much more easily.

Hoffman Law and Mediation recommends mediation over litigation to settle child custody arrangements.

If a mediation agreement cannot be reached, Sheree Hoffman brings over 20 years of experience into the court and is ready to represent you and the best interests of your children.

Juvenile Court

If you need assistance in Juvenile Court regarding custody,  parenting time (visitation) or child support, we can assist you. If your matter concerns child support specifically, you may also be entitled to representation or assistance from a 4D Attorney at Juvenile Court.

Tennessee Child Support

New Tennessee Child Support Guidelines Effective Immediately (September, 2008)

The Department of Human Services has notified the Administrative Office of the Courts that effective immediately, new child support guidelines must be applied to every judicial or administrative action to establish, modify or enforce child support that is taken on of after August 12, 2008, regardless of when the action was initiated or filed. The amended guidelines and the new child support worksheet are available on the Internet Income Shares Tutorial website at: http://www.tn.gov/humanserv/is/incomeshares.html

Tennessee has child support guidelines which are presumed to be reasonable unless rebutted by evidence to the contrary. In other words, they are mandatory except when a legal reason for deviating from them exists.

NOTICE: Tennessee law has changed from flat percentage guidelines to an income shares model. Please call the Hoffman Law and Mediation office at (901) 754 9994 for more information.

Helpful Websites:

• Memphis Bar Association Resources for the Public
• Tennessee State Income Shares Tutorial
• Tennessee State Income Shares Worksheets
  (The most recent calculator version is from September, 2008)
• Tennesee Child Support Summary
  (enter TCSES# and SS# to view child support pmt. summary)

NOTE: Amendments to the Child Support Guidelines went into effect June 26, 2006. Effective that same date, the Income Shares Worksheets (ISW) were also modified. Version 2 of the Microsoft Excel ISW and Version 3 of the child support calculator (both in effect as of September 12, 2006) incorporate important changes that can and probably will change your previous child support obligations. Data entry fields are shaded light blue on the newest version.

Helpful Telephone Numbers:

• Child support information line: 1-800-838-6911
• Tennessee Paternity acknowledgment program Hotline: 1-800-457-2165