Alimony in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Family Law
Tennessee awards alimony based on need and ability to pay, with no specific formula or durational limits.
How Tennessee treats Alimony
Tennessee courts may award alimony in any form—periodic, lump-sum, or rehabilitative—when one spouse cannot meet reasonable needs through property division and child support. The state uses a broad discretionary standard rather than a fixed formula, examining factors like the length of marriage, standard of living, and each party's earning potential. Alimony terminates upon the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation with another person, or upon either party's death. Courts have flexibility to award indefinite alimony in long-term marriages or when the recipient cannot become self-sufficient.
The general definition of Alimony
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after divorce or separation.
Alimony is money that a court requires one spouse to pay to the other after they divorce or legally separate. It's designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living they had during the marriage. The amount and duration depend on factors like how long the marriage lasted, each person's income and earning ability, and their age and health. Alimony is different from child support, which is specifically for children's needs.
Read the full Alimony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.