title: "Tennessee Divorce - Slim Packet v3"

state: "TN" | price: "$97" | updated: "2026-03-30"

Tennessee Divorce Packet

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY

• [ ] You or your spouse have lived in TN for 6+ months
• [ ] Filing in county where you live, spouse lives, or last lived together
• [ ] Chose grounds: irreconcilable differences (MDA required, 60-day wait / 90 with children) · inappropriate marital conduct (no wait) · 2-year separation (no wait)
• [ ] If children: will file Permanent Parenting Plan + Child Support Worksheet + parenting class certificate (T.C.A. § 36-6-408)
• [ ] No duplicate divorce pending in another court

Key statutes: Grounds § 36-4-101 · Jurisdiction § 36-4-104 · Waiting period § 36-4-102 · Property § 36-4-121 · Alimony § 36-5-121 · Parenting Plan § 36-6-404 · Child support § 36-5-101

File at: Circuit or Chancery Court Clerk in your county · Fee: ~$250–$325 · Fee waiver: ask for In Forma Pauperis form · Find your court: tncourts.gov

FORM 1: COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE

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IN THE [CIRCUIT/CHANCERY] COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE AT [CITY]

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], Plaintiff, v. [SPOUSE'S FULL LEGAL NAME], Defendant.

COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE

1. Plaintiff resides in [CITY], [COUNTY] County, TN, for 6+ months per T.C.A. § 36-4-104.
2. Defendant resides at [SPOUSE'S ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP].
3. Parties married [DATE] in [CITY, STATE]. Separated [DATE].
4. Marriage irretrievably broken; no prospect of reconciliation.

GROUNDS (check one):

[ ] IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (T.C.A. § 36-4-101(a)(14)) — MDA filed herewith.

[ ] INAPPROPRIATE MARITAL CONDUCT (T.C.A. § 36-4-101(a)(11)) — cruel/inhuman treatment.

[ ] SEPARATION FOR TWO YEARS (T.C.A. § 36-4-101(a)(4)) — 2+ years apart.

CHILDREN:

[ ] No minor children.

[ ] Minor children: [NAME] DOB [DATE] [NAME] DOB [DATE]

[ ] Wife is not pregnant. [ ] Wife pregnant, due [DATE].

Permanent Parenting Plan filed herewith per T.C.A. § 36-6-404.

PROPERTY: Marital property and debts divided per MDA filed herewith (T.C.A. § 36-4-121).

ALIMONY:

[ ] Plaintiff requests alimony [in futuro / in solido / transitional / rehabilitative] per T.C.A. § 36-5-121.

[ ] No alimony requested; both parties self-sufficient.

WIFE'S NAME: [ ] Restore former name: [NAME] per T.C.A. § 36-4-108. [ ] N/A.

ATTORNEY FEES: [ ] Plaintiff requests fees and costs. [ ] Each party bears own.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests absolute divorce, MDA approval, equitable property division,

custody/support per Parenting Plan, alimony as appropriate, name restoration, and further relief.

Date: ____________ _________________________________ [YOUR SIGNATURE / PRINTED NAME / ADDRESS / PHONE]

VERIFICATION — STATE OF TENNESSEE, COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

I, [NAME], swear the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

_________________________________

Subscribed and sworn before me this [DAY] of [MONTH], [YEAR].

_________________________________ Notary Public Commission Expires: ____________

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FORM 2: MARITAL DISSOLUTION AGREEMENT

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MARITAL DISSOLUTION AGREEMENT [T.C.A. § 36-4-102]

[YOUR NAME] ("First Party") at [ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP]

[SPOUSE'S NAME] ("Second Party") at [ADDRESS], [CITY], TN [ZIP]

Married [DATE] in [CITY, STATE]. Marriage irretrievably broken (T.C.A. § 36-4-101(a)(14)).

CHILDREN: [ ] None. [ ] Names/DOBs: [LIST]

Custody, parenting time, and support per Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet filed herewith.

CHILD SUPPORT: Per TN Child Support Guidelines (Child Support Worksheet FORM 4).

REAL PROPERTY: [ADDRESS] FMV $[__] Mortgage $[__] Equity $[__]

[ ] Sell and split equally. [ ] [PARTY] keeps, pays $[__] buyout.

VEHICLES: [YEAR/MAKE/MODEL]: [ ] Wife keeps, assumes loan. [ ] Husband keeps, assumes loan.

BANK ACCOUNTS: [BANK]: $[__] — [ ] equally divided [ ] other: ____________

RETIREMENT: [ ] Each retains own. [ ] Divided per QDRO: ____________

PERSONAL PROPERTY: Each retains items in possession. Additional: Wife: [LIST] Husband: [LIST]

DEBTS: Mortgage: [PARTY] responsible, holds other harmless.

Vehicle: [PARTY] responsible. Credit cards ($[__]): [ ] split equally [ ] [PARTY].

Student loans: each responsible for own.

ALIMONY: [ ] [PARTY] pays $[__]/mo [in futuro/transitional/rehabilitative] for [#] months/years.

[ ] No alimony; both self-sufficient.

TAX: [ ] Joint [YEAR]. [ ] Separate [YEAR] forward. Exemptions: [ ] Mother [ ] Father [ ] Alternate.

FULL SETTLEMENT. Modification requires written agreement.

_________________________________ First Party _________________________________ Second Party

Date: ____________ Date: ____________

COUNTY OF [COUNTY], STATE OF TENNESSEE

Sworn before me _____ day of ___________, 20___.

_________________________________ Notary Public Commission Expires: ____________

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FORM 3: PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN

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PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN [T.C.A. § 36-6-404]

CASE NO.: ____________ COURT: ____________ COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Mother: [NAME] Father: [NAME] Child(ren): [NAME DOB] [NAME DOB]

LEGAL CUSTODY: [ ] Joint (shared major decisions) [ ] Sole to: [ ] Mother [ ] Father

DECISION-MAKING: Routine decisions by parent currently with child. Major decisions: mutual agreement.

Disputes: mediation before court.

PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY: [ ] Mother [ ] Father [ ] Equal shared [describe: ____________]

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (school year):

[ ] Alternating weeks [ ] 2-2-3: Mon-Tue with [__] / Wed-Thu with [__] / Fri-Sun alternate

[ ] Weekdays [__] / Weekends [__] [ ] Other: ____________

HOLIDAYS: Alternate even/odd years. Mother's Day: always Mother. Father's Day: always Father.

EXCHANGES: At [LOCATION] on [DAY] at [TIME].

CHILD SUPPORT: Per Child Support Worksheet (Form 4).

Health insurance: [ ] Mother [ ] Father maintains for children.

Unreimbursed medical/dental/vision, extracurriculars, school expenses: shared equally.

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL: If parent cannot exercise time, first offer to other parent.

RELOCATION: 60-day written notice required before moving child 50+ miles (T.C.A. § 36-6-108).

DISPUTES: Mediation required before returning to court.

_________________________________ Mother / Date ____________

_________________________________ Father / Date ____________

APPROVED: _________________________________ Judge Date: ____________

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FORM 4: CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET

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CHILD SUPPORT WORKSHEET [TN CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES]

CASE NO.: ____________ COUNTY: ____________ JUDGE: ____________

Mother: [NAME] Father: [NAME] Child(ren): [NAME DOB]

MONTHLY GROSS INCOME MOTHER FATHER

Wages/Salary (gross): $________ $________

Self-Employment: $________ $________

Bonuses/Overtime (avg): $________ $________

SS Benefits: $________ $________

Other: $________ $________

TOTAL GROSS: $________ $________ COMBINED: $____________

ADJUSTMENTS MOTHER FATHER

Pre-Existing Obligations: $________ $________

Health Insurance (children): $________ $________

Work-Related Childcare: $________ $________

NUMBER OF CHILDREN: ______

BASIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION: $____________/mo (from TN Guidelines table at tn.gov/humanservices/childsupport)

FINAL SUPPORT OBLIGATION: $____________/mo

[ ] Mother pays $____________/mo to Father

[ ] Father pays $____________/mo to Mother

[ ] Income withholding: [ ] Yes [ ] No

I certify the above is true and correct.

Date: ____________ _________________________ Mother

Date: ____________ _________________________ Father

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FORM 5: NOTICE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

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NOTICE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER [42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 666]

CASE NO.: ____________ COURT: ____________ COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Mother's SSN: ___-__-____ Father's SSN: ___-__-____ Child(ren)'s SSN(s): ___-__-____

Date: ____________ Signature: _________________________

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FORM 6: FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE

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IN THE [CIRCUIT/CHANCERY] COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE AT [CITY]

[YOUR NAME], Plaintiff, v. [SPOUSE'S NAME], Defendant.

FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE

This matter came before the Court on [DATE]. The Court, finding jurisdiction proper,

waiting period expired, and marriage irretrievably broken, ORDERS:

1. Marriage between [PLAINTIFF] and [DEFENDANT] is DISSOLVED; both restored to single status.
2. Marital Dissolution Agreement APPROVED and INCORPORATED.
3. [IF CHILDREN] Permanent Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet APPROVED.
4. Marital property/debts divided per MDA.
5. [IF APPLICABLE] Alimony per MDA.
6. [IF APPLICABLE] Wife's former name [NAME] restored per T.C.A. § 36-4-108.
7. Each party bears own attorney fees and costs.

ENTERED this _____ day of _______________, 20___.

_________________________________ JUDGE, [COURT TYPE] COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

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FILING STEPS

1. Complete Forms 1-6. Sign and notarize Forms 1 and 2. Both spouses sign Form 2.
2. If children: complete Forms 3 and 4. Use calculator at tn.gov/humanservices/childsupport.
3. Complete parenting education class (4 hrs, $50-150; T.C.A. § 36-6-408). File certificate.
4. Go to Circuit/Chancery Court Clerk. Bring: all signed forms, marriage certificate, filing fee (~$250-325) or In Forma Pauperis form, photo ID. Get case number.
5. Serve spouse: sheriff (~$50-100), acceptance of service (notarized), or private process server (~$75-150).
6. Wait: 60 days (no children) or 90 days (with children) for irreconcilable differences.
7. Attend final hearing. Bring all forms. Judge signs Final Decree.
8. Get certified copies. Update name (if changed) with SSA, MVA, banks, employer within 30 days.

LEGAL AID

• Legal Aid Society of Middle TN: las.org · (615) 244-6610
• West Tennessee Legal Services: wtls.org · 1-800-372-8346
• Memphis Area Legal Services: malsi.org · (901) 523-8822
• Statewide: lawhelp.org/tn · dial 211

*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.

Verify current law before filing. For legal advice, contact a licensed TN attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*