Tennessee Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Tennessee — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Tennessee
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Tennessee courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Tennessee court requirements.
Child Support in Tennessee
Tennessee uses the Income Shares Model, which presumes both parents contribute to financial support of the child in proportion to their respective adjusted gross incomes. The Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) is determined by combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes and referencing the Child Support Schedule for the number of children. Deviations are allowed for extraordinary expenses. Governed by Tennessee Department of Human Services Guidelines under T.C.A. § 36-5-101.
Official Tennessee child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| Permanent Parenting Plan | Permanent Parenting Plan |
| Child Support Worksheet | Child Support Worksheet (CS Worksheet) |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Tennessee requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Both parents must attend a four-hour Parent Education Seminar before any custody or parenting plan orders can be finalized. Required by local court rule in most Tennessee jurisdictions for all divorce cases involving minor children. The seminar covers effects of divorce on children, parenting responsibilities, and conflict resolution.
Typical cost: $50
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Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Tennessee forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.