No-Fault Divorce in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Family Law
Tennessee grants no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences with a 30-day waiting period if both spouses consent.
How Tennessee treats No-Fault Divorce
Tennessee allows no-fault divorce when both spouses agree the marriage is irretrievably broken, requiring only a 30-day waiting period from filing. If one spouse contests or does not consent, the waiting period extends to 60 days. The state also recognizes traditional fault grounds like adultery and cruelty. No-fault divorce streamlines the process when mutual agreement exists, avoiding the need to prove wrongdoing.
The general definition of No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted without requiring either spouse to prove wrongdoing by the other.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce where neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong, like infidelity or abuse. Instead, one or both spouses simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that they have irreconcilable differences. This is the most common type of divorce in the United States today. No-fault divorces are generally faster and less contentious than fault-based divorces because they don't require gathering evidence of misconduct.
Read the full No-Fault Divorce 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.