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
Grounds for Divorce
Divorce Financials
Funding Family Law Actions.
Planning for Divorce.
After Divorce Name Change.
Divorce Protective Order.
Annulment instead of Divorce.
Divorce Parenting Plan.
Child abuse claims in Divorce.
Post Divorce Parenting Plan.
Social Media & Divorce.
Paternity claims.
Divorce Flow Chart
Divorce Info. Gathering
Divorce Privacy
Divorce: leave your home?
Divorce Contempt Tennessee.
Amicable Divorce.
Asset Division during Divorce.
Mortgages during Divorce.
Divorce Statistics in the USA.
Child custody do's & don'ts.
Divorce polls.
15 Divorce tips
Tennessee DIY Divorce
Tennessee Divorce Mediation
Tennessee Child Custody Law
Tennessee Child Support Law
Tennessee Child Adoption Law