title: "Tennessee Child Custody - Complete LSC Packet with Forms"

state: "TN"

category: "Child Custody"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$67"

lsc_grade: true

version: "COMPLETE_WITH_FORMS"

Tennessee Child Custody Packet

Templates for informational purposes only. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

• [ ] You are a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in place of a parent
• [ ] The child lives in Tennessee or has lived here within the last 6 months
• [ ] Tennessee is the child's "home state" (lived here 6+ consecutive months with a parent)
• [ ] You want to establish custody, modify an existing order, or enforce a current order
• [ ] You are NOT involved in a dependency/neglect case with DCS
• [ ] The child has NOT been removed by the Department of Children's Services
• [ ] There is NO active dependency/neglect or abuse case in juvenile court
• [ ] You are NOT seeking to terminate parental rights
• [ ] No other state has entered a custody order (or TN now has jurisdiction)
• [ ] If unmarried father: paternity has been established before seeking custody

FORM 1: PETITION FOR CUSTODY — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Type or print neatly in black ink. Replace bracketed text [LIKE THIS] with your information.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

STATE OF TENNESSEE )

) ss.

COUNTY OF [COUNTY] )

________________________________________________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME],

Petitioner,

v.

[OTHER PARENT'S FULL NAME],

Respondent.

________________________________________________________________________________

PETITION TO ESTABLISH CUSTODY AND PARENTING PLAN

________________________________________________________________________________

COMES NOW the Petitioner, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], and files this Petition

to Establish Custody and Parenting Plan, and in support states as follows:

I. PARTIES AND CHILDREN

1. Petitioner, [YOUR FULL NAME], is a resident of [COUNTY] County,

Tennessee, and resides at [YOUR STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP CODE].

1. Respondent, [OTHER PARENT'S NAME], resides at [OTHER PARENT'S ADDRESS],

[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP CODE].

1. Petitioner and Respondent are the parents of the following minor child(ren):

1. The child(ren) currently reside(s) with [PETITIONER / RESPONDENT / BOTH]

at [ADDRESS WHERE CHILD LIVES], [CITY], TN [ZIP CODE].

1. The child(ren) has/have resided in Tennessee for the past 6 months and

no other custody proceeding involving the child(ren) is pending in any

other court.

II. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and parties pursuant

to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101 et seq. (Tennessee Uniform Child Custody

Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act).

1. Venue is proper in this Court because [Petitioner resides here / the

child resides here / other reason].

III. MARITAL STATUS

1. Petitioner and Respondent [ARE / ARE NOT] married.

[If married:] The parties were married on [MARRIAGE DATE] and divorce

proceedings [ARE / ARE NOT] pending in this Court.

[If not married:] Petitioner and Respondent were never married. Paternity

[HAS / HAS NOT] been established. [If established:] Paternity was

established by [VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT / COURT ORDER / GENETIC TESTING]

on [DATE].

IV. REQUEST FOR CUSTODY

1. Petitioner requests that this Court enter an Order establishing custody

and a Permanent Parenting Plan as follows:

A. PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL PARENT:

[ ] Petitioner should be designated the Primary Residential Parent.

[ ] Respondent should be designated the Primary Residential Parent.

[ ] The parents should share equal residential time.

B. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE:

Petitioner requests that the child(ren) reside with Petitioner:

[ ] Primary physical custody (child lives with Petitioner most of time)

[ ] Shared physical custody (approximately 50% with each parent)

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE SCHEDULE]

C. PARENTING TIME FOR OTHER PARENT:

[ ] Every other weekend (Friday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM)

[ ] One weeknight per week (specify): [DAY] from [TIME] to [TIME]

[ ] Holidays as set forth in the Proposed Parenting Plan

[ ] Summer vacation: [DESCRIBE]

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

D. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

[ ] Joint decision-making on all major decisions

[ ] Petitioner makes final decisions on: [LIST AREAS]

[ ] Respondent makes final decisions on: [LIST AREAS]

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

1. A Proposed Permanent Parenting Plan is filed herewith and incorporated

by reference.

V. CHILD SUPPORT

1. [ ] Child support should be established pursuant to the Tennessee Child

Support Guidelines.

[ ] Child support is not requested at this time.

[ ] Other: [EXPLAIN]

VI. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD

1. The custody arrangement requested is in the best interests of the

child(ren) because (check all that apply):

[ ] Petitioner has been the primary caregiver

[ ] Petitioner is able to provide a stable home environment

[ ] Petitioner encourages a relationship with Respondent

[ ] The child(ren) have strong bonds with Petitioner

[ ] The child(ren) are doing well in their current school

[ ] Other: [EXPLAIN]

VII. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

A. Establish custody of the minor child(ren) as set forth herein;

B. Adopt the Proposed Permanent Parenting Plan filed herewith;

C. Establish child support pursuant to Tennessee Child Support Guidelines;

D. Award Petitioner court costs;

E. Grant such other and further relief as is just and proper.

Respectfully submitted,

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]

[YOUR CITY, TN ZIP CODE]

[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

________________________________________________________________________________

VERIFICATION

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], verify that the statements made in this Petition are

true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that

false statements are punishable under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-402 (perjury).

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 2: PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: This form is required in ALL Tennessee custody cases. Complete all sections. Both parents must sign if agreed.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN

Pursuant to T.C.A. § 36-6-404

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE [CIRCUIT / CHANCERY / JUVENILE] COURT FOR

[COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

[MOTHER'S NAME],

Mother,

v.

[FATHER'S NAME],

Father.

Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

________________________________________________________________________________

This Permanent Parenting Plan is submitted [ ] by agreement of both parents

[ ] by [MOTHER / FATHER] as a proposed plan.

I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

MOTHER:

Full Name: [MOTHER'S FULL NAME]

Address: [STREET ADDRESS]

City, State, ZIP: [CITY], TN [ZIP]

Phone: [PHONE NUMBER]

Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]

Employer: [EMPLOYER NAME]

Work Hours: [WORK HOURS]

FATHER:

Full Name: [FATHER'S FULL NAME]

Address: [STREET ADDRESS]

City, State, ZIP: [CITY], TN [ZIP]

Phone: [PHONE NUMBER]

Email: [EMAIL ADDRESS]

Employer: [EMPLOYER NAME]

Work Hours: [WORK HOURS]

CHILD(REN):

II. PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL PARENT

[ ] Mother is designated the Primary Residential Parent.

[ ] Father is designated the Primary Residential Parent.

[ ] Equal residential time (no primary residential parent).

Primary Residential Parent's address for school enrollment:

[ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP CODE]

III. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE

A. REGULAR SCHEDULE (School Year)

[ ] WEEK 1:

With Mother: Sunday [TIME] to Friday [TIME]

With Father: Friday [TIME] to Sunday [TIME]

[ ] WEEK 2:

With Father: Sunday [TIME] to Friday [TIME]

With Mother: Friday [TIME] to Sunday [TIME]

[ ] OTHER SCHEDULE: [DESCRIBE]

B. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

C. SUMMER SCHEDULE

[ ] Regular schedule continues year-round

[ ] Mother gets [NUMBER] weeks of summer vacation time

[ ] Father gets [NUMBER] weeks of summer vacation time

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

Summer vacation weeks must be selected by [DATE] each year.

D. TRANSPORTATION

[ ] Parent beginning parenting time picks up the child.

[ ] Parent ending parenting time drops off the child.

[ ] Parents meet halfway at [LOCATION].

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

IV. DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

For each area, check who makes final decisions:

(J = Joint / M = Mother / F = Father / PRP = Primary Residential Parent)

A. Education: [ ] J [ ] M [ ] F [ ] PRP

B. Non-emergency healthcare: [ ] J [ ] M [ ] F [ ] PRP

C. Religious upbringing: [ ] J [ ] M [ ] F [ ] PRP

D. Extracurricular activities: [ ] J [ ] M [ ] F [ ] PRP

E. EMERGENCY DECISIONS: Either parent may act when child is in their care; notify the other parent as soon as possible.

V. COMMUNICATION

Parent-child: [ ] Daily calls allowed [ ] Video calls: [ ] daily [ ] as requested [ ] No restrictions

Parent-parent: [ ] Email for scheduling [ ] Text for urgent matters [ ] Co-parenting app: [APP NAME]

VI. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL: If a parent cannot exercise parenting time for more than [NUMBER] hours, they must first offer the other parent care of the child with at least [NUMBER] hours' notice.

VII. RELOCATION: 60 days' written notice required before relocating more than 50 miles (T.C.A. § 36-6-108).

VIII. DISPUTES: [ ] Mediation first [ ] Parenting coordinator: [NAME] [ ] Court

IX. CHILD SUPPORT: [ ] IS [ ] IS NOT addressed in this plan. If addressed, see attached Child Support Worksheet.

X. SIGNATURES: We agree to these terms; this Plan becomes a court order upon approval.

_______________________________ _______________________________

Mother's Signature / [PRINTED NAME] Father's Signature / [PRINTED NAME]

Date: ________________ Date: ________________

________________________________________________________________________________

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF TENNESSEE )

) ss.

COUNTY OF __________ )

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared the above-named

parties, known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the

foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same.

_______________________________ _______________________________

Notary Public (Mother) Notary Public (Father)

Commission Expires: __________ Commission Expires: __________

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 3: MOTION TO MODIFY PARENTING PLAN — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Use this form to change an existing custody or parenting plan. You must show a "material change in circumstances."

`

________________________________________________________________________________

STATE OF TENNESSEE )

) ss.

COUNTY OF [COUNTY] )

________________________________________________________________________________

[YOUR NAME],

Petitioner,

v.

[OTHER PARENT'S NAME],

Respondent.

Case No. [EXISTING CASE NUMBER]

________________________________________________________________________________

MOTION TO MODIFY PARENTING PLAN

________________________________________________________________________________

COMES NOW the Petitioner, [YOUR NAME], and moves this Court to modify the

Permanent Parenting Plan entered in this matter on [DATE OF ORIGINAL ORDER],

and in support states as follows:

I. EXISTING ORDER

1. On [DATE], this Court entered a Permanent Parenting Plan establishing

custody and parenting time for the minor child(ren):

1. Under the current order:

• Primary Residential Parent: [NAME]
• Parenting time schedule: [DESCRIBE CURRENT SCHEDULE]

II. MATERIAL CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Since the entry of the current order, the following material change(s)

in circumstances has/have occurred (check all that apply):

[ ] Petitioner has relocated or plans to relocate

[ ] Respondent has relocated or plans to relocate

[ ] Child's school situation has changed

[ ] Child's needs have changed significantly

[ ] One parent's work schedule has changed significantly

[ ] One parent's living situation has changed

[ ] There are concerns about the child's safety

[ ] One parent is not following the current order

[ ] Child's preference (if age 12 or older)

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

1. Describe the specific changes in detail:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

III. PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS

1. Petitioner requests the following modifications to the Parenting Plan:

A. PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL PARENT:

[ ] No change

[ ] Change to: [NAME]

B. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE:

[ ] No change

[ ] Change to: [DESCRIBE NEW SCHEDULE]

C. DECISION-MAKING:

[ ] No change

[ ] Change to: [DESCRIBE]

D. OTHER CHANGES: [DESCRIBE]

1. The proposed modifications are in the best interests of the child(ren)

because:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

IV. ATTACHMENTS

[ ] Proposed Modified Permanent Parenting Plan

[ ] Supporting documentation

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

A. Modify the Permanent Parenting Plan as requested herein;

B. Adopt the Proposed Modified Permanent Parenting Plan;

C. Award Petitioner court costs;

D. Grant such other and further relief as is just and proper.

Respectfully submitted,

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

[YOUR ADDRESS]

[YOUR CITY, TN ZIP]

[YOUR PHONE]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FILING STEPS

1. Complete the parent education seminar (required before final orders, T.C.A. § 36-6-408; cost $30–60; 4 hours; keep certificate).
2. Prepare your Proposed Permanent Parenting Plan using FORM 2 — even if contested, you must file one.
3. Complete FORM 1 (Petition for Custody) and FORM 2 (Proposed Parenting Plan).
4. Make 3 copies of all documents.
5. Go to the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the child lives and pay the filing fee ($150–300).
6. Get stamped copies and your case number from the clerk.
7. Serve the other parent: sheriff ($25–50), private process server, certified mail, or waiver of service.
8. Attend mediation — usually required before trial; fee reductions available for low-income parents.
9. Attend the court hearing: arrive 30 minutes early, dress business casual, bring all documents.
10. If the case is contested and you cannot reach agreement, the judge will hold a full hearing.

COURT INFORMATION

FILING CHECKLIST

Before Going to Court

• [ ] Completed Petition for Custody (FORM 1)
• [ ] Proposed Permanent Parenting Plan (FORM 2)
• [ ] Parent Education Seminar certificate
• [ ] Child Support Worksheet (if applicable)
• [ ] Filing fee or fee waiver request
• [ ] Photo ID
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents

At Court

• [ ] File original documents
• [ ] Pay filing fee
• [ ] Get stamped copies
• [ ] Get case number
• [ ] Ask about service options

STATUTE REFERENCES

DISCLAIMER

IMPORTANT: This packet provides general information for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.

• Jurist-Diction is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
• These forms may not be appropriate for your specific situation.
• Laws change frequently. Verify current law before filing.
• For legal advice, contact a licensed Tennessee attorney or legal aid organization.

Need help? Find free legal aid at lawhelp.org or call 211.