Tennessee Divorce Law

Complete Overview of of the Tennessee Divorce Laws

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Important Tennessee Divorce Guidelines to File for a Divorce

Tennessee Residency Requirements For Divorce

When filing Tennessee divorce forms, residency rules require that least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for six months before filing. If the grounds were initiated outside of the state, there is no minimum time requirement.

Grounds For Divorce In Tennessee

Common no-fault grounds for a Tennessee divorce are:

  • irreconcilable differences;
  • living separate and apart without cohabitation for three years and there are no minor children.

Common grounds for a fault based divorce are:

  • adultery;
  • conviction of a felony with imprisonment;
  • impotence;
  • willful desertion for one year;
  • endangering the life of the spouse.
Tennessee Child Custody

Tennessee divorce courts will usually approve an agreement between the couple regarding the custody of the child as long as it is deemed that the agreement is in the best interest of the child’s welfare. Joint custody allows for both parents to be involved in the decision making process, however this does not mean that they will spend an equal amount of time with each parent.

Tennessee Child Support Guidelines

To calculate child support in Tennessee the courts follow the same guidelines in almost every case. The courts shall take into account the gross income of both parents while factoring in any child related expenses. It is understood that child support will continue until the child turns 18 but may be extended through the period of their secondary education.

Venue

A Tennessee divorce form may be filed in the county where the couple is living when they decide to separate. It can also be heard within the county of the respondent in the divorce filing, if that spouse is a resident of the state, if they are not a resident it will be heard in the county in which the petitioner is a current legal resident.

Mediation

During any part of the divorce proceedings the party may submit their issues to a period of mediation. Or, if after the filing Tennessee divorce forms the couples cannot come to an agreement on contested terms the courts may motion the couple to a period of mediation to resolve the issues. If the couple can resolve their issues before the divorce process they may continue with the divorce on an uncontested basis.