Grounds for Divorce
in Tennessee.

To initiate a divorce case, you need to file a petition for divorce ('divorce papers') with the court, asking for a divorce and stating your reasons or “grounds” for ending your marriage.

Tennessee recognizes both no-fault and fault grounds for divorce.

The “No-Fault” Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee

Tennessee law gives couples the ability to divorce based on the "no-fault" ground of “irreconcilable differences,” or in other words, by simply saying they cannot get along anymore, and there is no chance for a reconciliation. With a no-fault divorce, neither spouse is required to allege any wrongdoing on the other’s part, in any way disparage the other, or claim that the other spouse’s misconduct led to the break up.

In addition to irreconcilable differences, couples in Tennessee may list separation as the reason for their divorce. To do this you must show that:

  • both spouses have lived separate and apart for a continuous period of two or more years
    • the parties have not cohabited as man and wife during this two-year period, and
      • the spouses have no minor children.

The “Fault” Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee

Alternatively, divorcing spouses can file for a fault-based divorce, or in other words, one spouse must allege that the other’s bad conduct led to the divorce. By law, the fault grounds in Tennessee include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Desertion without cause for one year,
  • Bigamy,
  • Adultery,
  • Impotence and inability to procreate since the time of the marriage,
  • Habitual drunkenness or abuse of narcotics (if began after the marriage),
  • Conviction of a crime or felony,
  • An attempt kill the other spouse,
  • One spouse refuses to move to Tennessee with no reason for two years,
  • Unknown to husband, wife was pregnant by another person at the time of marriage,
  • Indignities committed upon the other spouse’s person,
  • Abandonment and refusal to provide for spouse, and
  • Separation for two years if there are no minor children.

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Links to Divorce, Alimony, Custody and Asset Division information





Hire an Experienced Memphis Divorce Lawyer

At The Burdette Law Firm we are competent and caring lawyers when dealing with divorce, and will provide excellent legal divorce advice. We give our clients a great deal of information on divorce so they can have the proper understanding of divorce law to make important decisions. Getting divorced is an emotional process and we always strive to ease the stress during this difficult situation. A divorce is also a financial process. The valuations, incomes and sums involved in property division, alimony and support should be carefully reviewed by someone like a Certified Public Accountant to insure accuracy, and to protect you from any attempt to hide assets or income.

Contact one of our divorce lawyers for more information

After reviewing the above if you have questions and need our assistance in a divorce matter, please call us at (901) 756-7878 or use the contact form to the right.



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