Spousal Support in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Family Law
Tennessee recognizes alimony in solido (lump sum) and alimony in futuro (periodic), with awards tied to marital misconduct in some cases.
How Tennessee treats Spousal Support
Tennessee courts may award periodic alimony, alimony in solido (one-time payment), or both based on need, earning capacity, and marital fault in limited circumstances. The state considers factors such as length of marriage, age, health, education, and standard of living. Alimony in futuro typically terminates upon the recipient's remarriage or death of either party. Tennessee law generally favors shorter-term support in shorter marriages and longer-term or permanent support in long-term marriages.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support 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.