Tennessee Divorce Laws & FAQ

In Tennessee, there are two types of divorces: uncontested, which is usually irreconcilable differences, and contested, which requires proof of grounds for divorce. With a contested divorce, the parties cannot agree and must go to trial.  

The 13 grounds for a contested divorce in Tennessee are:

• Adultery;
• Habitual drunkenness or abuse of narcotic drugs;
• Living apart for two years with no minor children;
• Inappropriate marital conduct;
• Willful or malicious desertion for one full year without a reasonable cause;
• Conviction of a felony;
• Pregnancy of the wife by another before the marriage without the husband’s knowledge;
• Refusal to move to Tennessee with your spouse and living apart for two years;
• Malicious attempt upon the life of another;
• Lack of reconciliation for two years after the entry of a decree of separate maintenance;
• Impotency and sterility;
• Bigamy; and
• Abandonment or refusal or neglecting to provide for spouse although able to do so.

Related Article: The No-Fault/Fault-Based Divorce Debate

It is difficult to estimate the cost of a divorce in Tennessee. For some divorcing couples, the cost is minimal. For others, it is very expensive. Three big factors on the cost of divorce are how your spouse reacts, who your spouse hires, and who your judge is.

Related Article: The Million-Dollar Question: How Much Will My Divorce Cost?

You do not have to hire an attorney. However, it is strongly recommended you do. If you are filing for divorce in TN with children, your divorce will forever change your parenting time. A divorce will have a huge impact on your financial planning. You will need the help of a professional to fully understand all your rights and obligations.

Related Article: Do I Need To Hire A Divorce Attorney?

Yes. If divorcing spouses do not agree to get divorced, the spouse seeking the divorce must prove grounds.

Related Article: The Pros And Cons Of At-Fault Divorce

In Tennessee, we refer to maintenance as “alimony.” There are several different types of alimony. The factors for determining alimony are:

In determining whether the granting of an order for payment of support and maintenance to a party is appropriate, and in determining the nature, amount, length of term, and manner of payment, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:

• The relative earning capacity, obligations, needs, and financial resources of each party, including income from pension, profit sharing or retirement plans and all other sources;
• The relative education and training of each party, the ability and opportunity of each party to secure such education and training, and the necessity of a party to secure further education and training to improve such party’s earning capacity to a reasonable level;
• The duration of the marriage;
• The age and mental condition of each party;
• The physical condition of each party, including, but not limited to, physical disability or incapacity due to a chronic debilitating disease;
• The extent to which it would be undesirable for a party to seek employment outside the home because such party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage;
• The separate assets of each party, both real and personal, tangible and intangible;
• The provisions made with regard to the marital property as defined in s 36-4-121;
• The standard of living of the parties established during the marriage;
• The extent to which each party has made such tangible and intangible contributions to the marriage as monetary and homemaker contributions, and tangible and intangible contributions by a party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party;
• The relative fault of the parties in cases where the court, in its discretion, deems it appropriate to do so; and
• Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party, as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties.

Related Article: Will I Have To Pay Alimony?

Tennessee is an “equitable distribution” state.  This means that once property is classified as marital or separate, the trial court must divide marital property equitably according to the factors listed in T.C.A. § 36-4-121(c). An equitable division does not always mean an equal division of property.  In other words, marital property will not always be divided 50/50.  Also, equitable division does not mean each party will receive a share of every piece of marital property.

Related Article: Marital Property, Assets & Division in Tennessee

Yes, you may change your name at the time your divorce decree is entered. In fact, if you think you may want to change your name this is the easiest time to change it.

Related Article: Can I Force My Ex-Wife To Change Her Last Name?

If a marriage is annulled, the marriage is treated as if it never existed. Marriages can be void or voidable. According to Tennessee divorce laws, a marriage is voidable if: either party is under age; one or both parties lack capacity; there is no consent; fraud; mistake; force; impotency; the woman is pregnant by another; or the marriage is not consummated.

Void marriages are serious violations of public policy. A marriage is void if either of the parties is already married (bigamy), the parties are closely related (incestuous), or if either party has been adjudicated insane at the time of the marriage ceremony.

Related Article: How Can A Marriage Be Annulled?

You can file for divorce at anytime in Tennessee. There is no waiting period in Tennessee.

Related Article: I’m In A Hurry: How Fast Can I Get Divorced?

In Tennessee, if divorcing spouses have minor children a divorce cannot be granted for at least 90 days after the Complaint for Divorce is filed. This is referred to as a “cooling off” period. If the parties do not have minor children, a divorce can be granted 60 days after the Complaint for Divorce is filed.

Related Article: How long can a divorce case remain open?

Not always. If the parties can reach an agreement on all issues, they will “settle.” A settlement can be reached between the parties by exchanging settlement agreements or at mediation. If a settlement is reached, only one spouse will go to court for the final hearing. If an agreement cannot be reached, the parties must go to court.

Related Article: Why It Pays To Settle Your Divorce Out Of Court

You cannot remarry until after the divorce has been final for 30 days. After the final hearing, there is a 30-day appeal period. You should not get married until the expiration of this 30-day period.

While many spouses start dating during separation, it is not recommended.  You are married until the judge approves the final divorce decree. Dating during separation is adultery.

Related Article: How Soon Can You Remarry After Divorce?

If one party does not want the divorce, grounds for divorce must be proven. Reasons for divorce in Tennessee can be found above.

Related Article: Collaborative Divorce vs. Contested Divorce

Yes, all issues must be decided before a judge approves the final divorce decree. If the parties settle, a Marital Dissolution Agreement will divide all assets and debts. If alimony is awarded, the Marital Dissolution Agreement will also identify the type and terms of the alimony.

A Permanent Parenting Plan will decide child related decisions. The Permanent Parenting Plan will designate a parenting schedule and make other provisions for any minor children. If the parties do not settle, a divorce trial will determine all issues.

An uncontested divorce can often be the fastest and cheapest way for spouses to legally separate. However, in the state of Tennessee, only couples that do not have any minor children together (biological or adopted) qualify for an uncontested divorce. Spouses also must not own any business or property together to qualify for uncontested divorce.

The cost of filing a civil case in the state of Tennessee (including a complaint for divorce) is usually a few hundred dollars. However, this cost can vary depending on whether the couple has children and other factors related to the marriage and filing process.

A divorce may be granted in Tennessee if the plaintiff or the defendant has resided in Tennessee for six months preceding the filing of the Complaint for Divorce.

No. If Tennessee had proper jurisdiction at the time the Complaint for Divorce was filed, Tennessee will maintain jurisdiction even if both spouses move from the state.

Related Article: What Is The Residency Requirement For Filing For Divorce?

The forms needed to file for a divorce are: Complaint for Divorce; Certificate of Divorce; and Summons.

Related Article: What Legal Information Do You Need To File For Divorce?

You divorce will be filed in your county’s courthouse. In some counties, the Chancery Court handles all divorce. In other counties, like Shelby County, a divorce may be filed in Chancery or Circuit Court.

Related Article: What To Know When Filing For Divorce

The Complaint and Summons are served on the other party. A private process server or a sheriff’s deputy will serve the Complaint and Summons on the other party. If your spouse agrees to sign a Waiver of Service of Process, he or she may be served by mail.

Related Article: Was I Properly Served?

The divorce is granted at a Final Hearing. One party will appear and testify. At a final hearing, the divorce documents will be approved by a judge. The judge will sign the final divorce decree.

Related Article: 10 Steps For Succeeding In Divorce Court

Your local courthouse will give you guidance on where to go and what forms to fill out.

In a divorce case, fault must be proven unless the ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences. Tennessee courts simply require that some evidence be presented.

No.

Related Article: What Is The Process For Changing My Child’s Last Name?

Tennessee does not grant common law marriages. However, if a party is validly married in a sister state that permits common law marriage, Tennessee will recognize the marriage.

Related Article: What qualifies as a legal wedding or common law marriage?

To file for a divorce in Tennessee there may be different steps depending on how the type of divorce is being pursued. The typical process to get a divorce in Tennessee is as followed.

1. Complete the Divorce Complaint
2. File Required Forms
3. Serve Your Spouse
4. Settlement Negotiations and Discovery 
5. Attend Parenting Class (If You Have a Child)
6. Further Settlements/Divorce Trial