Modifications Attorney in Franklin, TN

What Orders Can Be Modified in Tennessee?

Not every order from your divorce or custody case is subject to change. Tennessee courts allow modifications to three categories of post-divorce orders:

• Child custody and parenting plans: Adjustments to the Permanent Parenting Plan, including residential schedules, decision-making authority, and parenting time allocation
• Child support: Increases or decreases based on changed income, employment, or the child’s needs, calculated under Tennessee’s Income Shares Guidelines
• Alimony and spousal support: Changes to rehabilitative alimony or alimony in futuro when circumstances shift significantly

Property division orders are generally final once entered, and courts don’t revisit how assets were divided.

Regardless of whether you and the other party agree on the change, every modification requires court approval. Cases in Williamson County are typically filed in the Circuit Court or Chancery Court in Franklin. If the parents were never married, the Williamson County Juvenile Court handles the matter.

Grounds for Modifying a Court Order in Franklin

Tennessee law sets different standards depending on the type of order you want to change.

Custody & Parenting Plan Modifications

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101, a court may modify a custody arrangement when two conditions are met: there’s a material change in circumstances, and the modification serves the child’s best interests. The change must meaningfully affect the child’s well-being.

Common grounds include a parent’s relocation, a significant shift in a parent’s work schedule or health, or repeated failure to follow the existing Permanent Parenting Plan. Courts apply the child’s best interests standard, weighing stability, safety, and the quality of each parent’s relationship with the child.

Child Support Modifications

Under TN Code § 36-5-101, child support can be modified when there’s a significant variance of at least 15% between the current order and the amount calculated under current guidelines. For low-income providers, the threshold drops to 7.5%. Tennessee law doesn’t allow retroactive modifications, so the existing order remains enforceable until a petition is filed and approved.

Alimony Modifications

Alimony modification requires a substantial and material change in circumstances that was unforeseeable when the original order was entered and that significantly affects the payor’s ability to pay or the payee’s need for support. Not every type of alimony qualifies: rehabilitative alimony and alimony in futuro can be modified by the court, while transitional alimony is generally not modifiable unless the original decree specifically allows it, and alimony in solido is not modifiable except by agreement of the parties.

Why Williamson County Families Choose Blood Law, PLLC

Modification cases call for more than legal knowledge. They demand a team that understands your circumstances, communicates clearly, and can pivot between negotiation and litigation as the case evolves.

A Full Team on Your Case
When you hire Blood Law, PLLC, you aren’t relying on one attorney working alone. Our entire legal team collaborates on your case, which means a broader perspective on strategy and faster turnaround on filings. That collective approach is particularly valuable in contested modifications where preparation and responsiveness can influence how the case proceeds.

Alternative Dispute Resolution When It Fits
Not every modification requires a courtroom fight. We help clients explore mediation and other alternative dispute resolution options that can support faster, less adversarial results. For agreed modifications where both parties are open to change, this approach can reduce cost and emotional strain while still requiring court approval to become binding.

Communication That Reduces Uncertainty
Our clients hear from us consistently throughout their case. We set realistic expectations about timelines, costs, and potential outcomes from the first conversation. In custody and support modifications, where children’s well-being is central, that transparency matters. Fathers and mothers alike deserve to understand exactly where they stand at every stage.

Our attorneys contribute regularly to media outlets and podcasts, and we give back through charitable initiatives and local events because we’re invested in the communities we serve, not just the cases we handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Skip Court If We Both Agree to the Modification?

No. Even when both parties agree on the proposed change, a judge must approve it before it becomes legally binding. An agreed modification avoids a contested hearing, but the paperwork still needs to be filed with the court and reviewed.

What Should I Bring to a Modification Consultation?

Gather your existing court orders, recent pay stubs and tax returns, documentation of any changed circumstances (such as a new job offer or medical records), and a summary of what you want to change. Having these ready lets us assess your case efficiently. Virtual consultations are available for Franklin-area clients who can’t easily travel to our office.

How Long Does a Modification Take in Williamson County?

Timelines depend on whether the modification is contested or agreed. Agreed modifications can move through the Williamson County courts relatively quickly once filed. Contested modifications require a hearing where both parties present evidence, which extends the timeline.

Schedule Your Modification Consultation

If a custody arrangement, child support order, or alimony obligation no longer reflects your family’s situation, it may be time to seek a change. Because Tennessee courts don’t modify child support retroactively, acting sooner rather than later can help protect your interests.

We offer both in-person and virtual consultations for clients in Franklin and the surrounding Williamson County area. Our team can review your current orders, consider whether your circumstances appear to meet the legal standard for modification, and outline potential next steps.

Call Blood Law, PLLC at (704) 286-0570 or contact us online to get started.