Will Tennessee Seize Your Tax Refund? the Truth About Child Support Arrears Balances
By Alexander Ross
Can Tennessee seize my tax refund if my child is over 18 years old?
Yes. Emancipation of the child terminates ongoing monthly support accruals, but it does not extinguish back debt. The state continues enforcing collection on unpaid child support arrears balances for adult children until the balance, plus all lawful interest, reaches zero.
What happens to my tax refund if I file bankruptcy in Tennessee?
Filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will not discharge child support arrears. Domestic support obligations are classified as priority, non-dischargeable debts under 11 U.S. Code § 523(a)(5). The automatic stay does not block the interception of federal tax refunds to collect back child support.
How can I stop a wage garnishment once it has started?
You cannot stop an administrative income withholding order simply by contacting your employer's payroll office. You must file a formal motion to contest the withholding through the court that entered the order or resolve the total arrears with the local Title IV-D child support agency. Contesting an administrative garnishment requires proving a mistake of fact, such as miscalculated debt totals or misidentified debtor identity.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
