Agreed Divorce Process in Tennessee
Agreed Divorce Process in Tennessee
If you have NO children who are under 18, disabled or in high school
and you do NOT own buildings or land or a business with your spouse, or have retirement benefits.
This packet has the court forms you will need to get an agreed divorce. It also explains:
What an agreed divorce is. How to get ready for your court hearing.
Who can get an agreed divorce. Answers to common questions about divorce.
Steps to get an agreed divorce.
What goes in a Divorce Agreement.
Agreed means that you and your spouse agree on It is always good to talk to a lawyer if possible.
all points of your divorce AND you must meet all You need a lawyer if:
the rules below. An agreed divorce is easier and You find the court papers hard to understand;
faster. It costs less than a regular divorce You or your spouse has an IRS qualified
because: pension or retirement plan;
There are fewer court papers to fill out. You or your spouse own buildings or land (this
You don’t have to have a lawyer. But it’s best is called real property);
to talk to a lawyer before starting any divorce. You or your spouse own a business;
Your spouse won’t sign the Divorce
Can anyone get an agreed divorce with this Agreement;
packet? Your spouse has a lawyer;
You have questions about your divorce. The
No! It is only for couples if ALL of these are court can’t give you legal advice;
true: You don’t know how to locate your spouse;
One or both of you lived in Tennessee for at Your spouse over controls you or makes you
least the past 6 months OR you both lived in
afraid to disagree; OR
Tennessee when you decided to divorce;
There is domestic violence. (See page 2 of these
You and your spouse have no children instructions for free legal help.)
together who are under 18, in high school, or
are disabled. Important! Only want a lawyer for part of the
case? It is always best to talk to a lawyer, if
Children together means children you had possible. Having a lawyer look at your
together that were born before your marriage Divorce Agreement can help you.
AND any born or adopted during your
marriage.
Where can I find a lawyer?
Neither spouse is not pregnant;
Your county’s Bar Association. This is a
You both want to end your marriage; group that lawyers join. They may have
programs that can give you free advice. Or
You don’t own buildings or land or a business they can refer you to a lawyer.
together or have retirement benefits; AND Look under “lawyer” in the yellow pages.
Search for “lawyer” on the internet.
You can agree on alimony and how to divide
your property, and will both sign a Divorce Ask divorced friends which lawyer they used.
Agreement (Form 5). Check the Administrative Office of the Court’s
website at: www.tncourts.gov and the Court's
Access to Justice website,
If any of these are not true for you, you
can’t use this packet! Talk to a lawyer.
Before you fill out the forms, you need to know that
it is against the law to commit perjury.
Perjury is when you lie to the court on purpose.
The top of all the forms looks the same. There is a big box with 3 rows. There is an example of this
box on page 3 of these instructions. The information in this box is important.
The first box in Row 1 shows that you are filing for divorce in Tennessee.
The second box in Row 1 shows the type of court where you will file for divorce. Fill out the type of
court where you will file for divorce. If you don't know which court, leave this box empty. Ask the court
clerk which court will hear your divorce. Then write that court in this blank. See page 5 of these
instructions for more information.
The third box in Row 1 shows the name of the county where you will file for divorce. Page 5 of these
instructions has information on what county you can file in. Write the name of the county where you will
file for divorce in this box.
Page 2 of 7
July 2017 Agreed Divorce Instructions
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
The first box in Row 2 tells the name of the form and the form number.
The second box in Row 2 has a blank for a file number and division.
Important! The court clerk will tell you the file number when you file the paperwork. Do not write in a
file number until you get this information from the court clerk.
Important! Some large counties have different court divisions. Check with the court clerk to see if
the court has divisions in your county. Do not fill in the division blank unless the court tells you that
there is a division.
Row 3 is where you list your name and your spouse's name.
The spouse who is filing the divorce is the Plaintiff. The other spouse is the Defendant.
The information you fill out in the big box must be the same on each form.
File No.
Form (Must Be Completed)
Name and Division
Number (Large Counties Only)
Plaintiff
(Name: First, Middle, Last of spouse filing the divorce)
Defendant
(Name: First, Middle, Last of the other spouse)
Step 1 You and your spouse MUST fill out these papers. The Court Clerk can’t do this
for you. When they are filled out, go to the Court Clerk’s office and give them
(file) these papers:
Request for Divorce, Form 1. Must be signed and notarized.
Spouses’ Personal Information, Form 2
Fill it out and put it in a letter-size envelope. On the outside, write both spouses’
names and your case number. The Court Clerk will give you your case number.
Check with your Court Clerk to see if you need to fill out a Civil Case Cover Sheet or a
summons.
Step 2 If you can’t afford to pay the filing fee, also fill out and give the Court Clerk (file):
If you Request to Postpone Filing Fees and Order, Form 3
The court may let you pay the filing fees at the end of your case. You and your spouse must
need it decide how you will split the cost of the filing fees
Step 3 Complete the Health Insurance Notice for Divorcing Spouses (Form 4):
Health Insurance Notice, Form 4
Fill it out, file with Clerk and mail a copy to your spouse by certified mail. Keep a copy for
your records. Not on each other’s health insurance or don’t have health insurance? Then
write that on the paper.
Step 5 Wait at least 60 days after filing your Request for Divorce (Form 1) then:
Call the Clerk. Has it been more than 180 days since the last person signed the Divorce
Agreement? Then you must fill out a new Divorce Agreement.
Ask the court clerk how to get a court date for the Final Divorce Hearing. Ask if you need any
other papers to set the hearing date.
If needed, complete and file the Notice of Hearing to Approve Irreconcilable Differences
Divorce, Form 8, with the Court Clerk. You must mail your spouse a copy.
Step 6 Go to the Courthouse on the date of your Final Divorce Hearing.
It’s best if both spouses go, but if you are the spouse who filed the divorce, you must go to the
hearing. It's best if both spouses go to the hearing. Even though you and your spouse agree
on the divorce, the judge still must approve the forms. The judge may have questions on the
forms. It's in your best interest to be in court so you can answer the judge's questions. Some
counties require that both spouses go to the hearing. Check with the Court Clerk.
What if only one spouse goes and the judge changes something? You will have to go back
to court later. Bring copies of all the date-stamped divorce papers with you. Bring a copy of
the Final Decree of Divorce, Form 6.
Step 7 After the hearing, go to the Court Clerk’s office. Ask how to get the signed copy
of the Final Divorce Order. You may have to pay for copies. You will have to
pay for certified copies.
If you asked that your name be changed in the divorce papers, get a certified copy
of the Final Divorce Order.
If your spouse did not go to the hearing, you must mail him/her a copy of this Order.
Plaintiff
(Name: First, Middle, Last) of Spouse Filing the Divorce)
Defendant
(Name: First, Middle, Last of the Other Spouse)
Reason for Divorce - My spouse and I can no longer get along, and we have irreconcilable
differences.
Children - My spouse and I have no children together who are under 18, in high school, or disabled.
Children together means children you had together, born before the marriage, and all children born or
adopted during the marriage. This includes all children either spouse had during the marriage.
No spouse is pregnant. (If a spouse is pregnant, you cannot use this form.)
Orders of Protection and Other Court Orders: Check the box that is true for you.
There is no Order of Protection.
The Order of Protection has ended (expired).
There is an Order of Protection now in this court. It will stay in effect until the divorce
judge changes it.
Attach a copy of the Order of Protection and write the case number
here: .
There is an Order of Protection now in a different court. It will stay in effect until the other
court ends it. Attach a copy of the Order of Protection. Write the case number
here: .
July 2017
(Form 1) Request for Divorce Page 2 of 5
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Plaintiff's Information
Name:
How many marriages before this one? How long has he/she lived in Tennessee?
years months
Plaintiff's Employer:
If the answer is "yes" to any of the questions above, talk to a lawyer. You may not be able to use
these forms.
Name:
Defendant's Information
How many marriages before this one? How long has he/she lived in Tennessee?
years months
If the answer is "yes" to any of the questions above, talk to a lawyer. You may not be able to use
these forms.
July 2017 (Form 1) Request for Divorce Page 3 of 5
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Financial Information
Real Property (House, Land, or Mobile Homes that are permanently attached to the ground)
My spouse and I:
Do NOT own Real Property. If either of you have REAL Property, you cannot use these forms.
Personal Property (such as Cars, Mobile Homes (not permanently attached to the ground), Bank
Accounts)
Own personal property and have filed the Divorce Agreement (Form 5) that lists how our
property is divided.
Do not own Personal Property (such as Cars, Mobile Homes, Bank Accounts)
(If either of you has a Pension or Retirement Account, except for Social Security, or own a
Business, you cannot use these forms. Please see a lawyer first.)
Name Change (check below to change a spouse’s name back to the name used before this
marriage, either a maiden name or previous married name)
Plaintiff requests
First Name Middle Name Last Name
Defendant requests
First Name Middle Name Last Name
14 Divorce Agreement
Our signed Divorce Agreement (Form 5) is attached, and we ask the Court to approve it.
I ask the Court to grant this divorce, make the other orders I have asked for above, and to make any
other orders I am entitled to.
I know that Tennessee has laws against lying on purpose (perjury). I swear and affirm that:
As far as I know, the information on this form is true.
My request for divorce is serious.
My spouse and I have agreed not to lie about the information in this divorce. As
far as we know, we meet all the rules to use these forms.
SWORN to and SUBSCRIBED before me, on (date):
Signed at (City):
My commission expires:
MM/DD/YYYY
(NOTARY’S SEAL)
This form asks for the personal contact information and Social Security Number of both spouses. To
protect your personal information, follow these steps:
1) Fill out this form.
2) Put the form in an unsealed envelope.
3) Write this information on the envelope: Names of both spouses, and Case Number of your case.
4) Give it to the clerk when you file your other court forms.
5) The court clerk will keep this information secret.
Plaintiff's Information
Name:
Defendant's Information
Name:
First Name Middle Name Maiden Name Last Name (now)
Address:
Street Address
If you cannot afford to pay the filing fees at this time, fill out this form.
And file it with the completed case documents.
Even if the judge approves this form, you may have to pay court costs at the end of the case.
Your Information:
Address:
Dependents:
List your dependents below.
1. 4.
2. 5.
3. 6.
July 2017 (Form 3) Request to Postpone Filing Fees and Order Page 1 of 4
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Employment: If you are working now, fill out below. If you are not working now, check here:
Employer’s Name:
Employer’s Address:
Street Address
Other Income: List any other income that you get now or expect to get.
Source of Income How much do you get? Source of Income How much do you get?
Assets: List all assets that you own separately, with your spouse, or with someone else:
Fair Market Value - Money
Asset type: (what it's worth now) still owed = Balance
Expenses:
Debts:
How much do you How much do you
Who do you owe? owe? Who do you owe? owe?
1. $ 4. $
2. $ 5. $
3. $ 6. $
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Tennessee that:
The information I have provided is true, correct, and complete.
I cannot afford to pay the filing fees at this time.
Perjury means lying on purpose. If I lie on purpose I may have to pay a fine or go to jail.
IMPORTANT!
Take any proof that supports your case to the hearing, including: witnesses, photos, papers,
receipts, etc. The court will not accept written statements from witnesses. The person must go to
court in person. If you think a witness may not want to go to court, ask the clerk for subpoena forms.
Complete the subpoena as soon as possible so the sheriff can serve them before court.
July 2017 (Form 3) Request to Postpone Filing Fees and Order Page 3 of 4
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
The court and clerks are not allowed to give you legal advice, even if you don’t have a lawyer.
This form is a public record. It is not legal advice. The law may change and it is best to consult
with a lawyer if possible.
Do Not Fill Out This Section Below. The Judge Will Fill This Section Out At Court.
The court denies this Request because (judge will check all that apply):
The applicant did not prove s/he cannot afford to pay costs associated with
this case at this time.
The applicant did not go to the court hearing concerning this Form. This
Request is dismissed.
The applicant must pay court costs of: $
The court approves this Request and the applicant may file without paying the filing fees or costs at
this time.
NOTICE: After reading this paper, the judge may decide you must pay the fees up front. If that happens,
you have the right to a hearing before the judge. An appeal gives you a chance to tell your side. You
may be able to appeal your case to a Circuit Court. If so, you have a right to a hearing before the Circuit
Court Judge.
July 2017 Page 4 of 4
You must:
Fill out this form completely, OR ask the person in charge of employee benefits where you work to
fill it out.
File the copy with the Court.
Mail a copy to your spouse by certified mail. Keep a copy of this form for your records.
Important! Your spouse must receive this notice at least 30 days before the insurance coverage
ends. Most courts require you to send this to your spouse before you can get a hearing date.
To (Spouse’s Name):
If you do NOT have health insurance, check here. Fill out the Certificate of Service section
below. Mail a copy of the paper to your spouse. File this form with the court clerk’s office.
If you do HAVE health insurance that covers your spouse now, check here. Then fill
out the information about your health insurance policy that covers your spouse now:
Health Insurance Company: Policy Number:
July 2017 (Form 4) Health Insurance Notice for Divorcing Spouses Page 1 of 1
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
This form explains how you and your spouse will divide your property and debts.
You must file this form with your Request for Divorce, Form 1.
Is a spouse pregnant?
Yes No
Does either spouse have a pension or retirement plan? This includes any retirement
except Social Security. If you have any questions, see a lawyer.
Yes No
Does either spouse have real property (real property is houses, land, mobile homes that
are permanently attached to the ground, condominiums, and cooperatives)?
Yes No
If you checked "Yes" for any of the questions above, you cannot use these forms. Please talk to a lawyer.
July 2017
(Form 5) Divorce Agreement Page 1 of 9
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
We promise the Court that: (Check Yes or No for each box)
1. We are the Plaintiff and Defendant listed above. We are filing a Request for Divorce in the county and
court listed above. We can no longer get along as spouses. We understand our marriage rights and
duties. We want to get an agreed divorce.
Yes No
2. We agree on everything in the Request for Divorce. The Request for Divorce does not have to be
served, and there is no need to file an Answer.
Yes No
3. Each of us has read this whole Divorce Agreement. We agree it is fair. We agree that each of us has
told the other all information on assets and/or debts that we each have. We understand that the Divorce
Agreement will become part of our Final Divorce Order.
Yes No
4. My spouse and I have no children together who are under 18, in high school or disabled.
Yes No
Children together means children you had together that were born before your marriage AND all
children born or adopted during the marriage. This includes all children either spouse had during the
marriage.
5. No one made us sign this Agreement. We will sign any other papers needed to carry out this Agreement.
Yes No
Yes No
7. We agree that this Request for Divorce will take effect only if the Court finds it fairly divides our assets
and debts and fully provides for the care and support of our children and if the Court grants a divorce.
Yes No
If you checked "No" on any box, you cannot use any of these forms to file for a divorce. If you have any
questions about the Request for Divorce, or about what might happen if either of you change your mind,
you need to speak with a lawyer before signing it.
Vehicle 1
Year Make Model VIN #
Vehicle 2
Year Make Model VIN #
Vehicle 3
b. Other personal property like bank accounts, cash, furniture, jewelry, trailers, etc., not houses or
land!
If you need more lines, copy this page. Make sure it is included when you file this paper.
Plaintiff: Initials Date Signed: Defendant: Initials Date Signed:
July 2017 (Form 5) Divorce Agreement Page 3 of 9
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Defendant’s Personal Property
The Defendant will own the following property:
a. Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, etc.)
Year Make Model VIN #
Vehicle 1
Year Make Model VIN #
Vehicle 2
Year Make Model VIN #
Vehicle 3
b. Other personal property like bank accounts, cash, furniture, jewelry, trailers, etc., not houses or
land!
If you need more lines, copy this page. Make sure it is included when you file this paper.
Plaintiff: Initials Date Signed: Defendant: Initials Date Signed:
July 2017 (Form 5) Divorce Agreement Page 4 of 9
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
Debt
Notice: The Final Decree does not necessarily affect the ability of a creditor to proceed against a party
or a party's property, even though the party is not responsible under the terms of the decree for an
account, any debt associated with an account or any debt. It may be in a party's best interest to
cancel, close or freeze any jointly held accounts. T.C.A. §36-4-134.
What this means: This Order does not protect you against creditors. They may try to collect from
you, even if your spouse is supposed to pay the debt. It may be best to cancel, close, or freeze any
accounts you have together.
Plaintiff will pay all debts he or she has made since separating from the
other spouse. He or she will also pay for the following debts:
If you need more lines, copy this page. Make sure it is included when you file this paper.
Are any of these debts listed above joint debts? It is a joint debt if both spouses signed a Note or legal
paper to pay the debt.
The Plaintiff will do his or her best to refinance or pay off these joint debts.
The Plaintiff has (choose one): 90 days 180 days 1 year from the date
the Court approves this Agreement to do so or otherwise take the other spouse's name off
of these joint debts.
What if the Plaintiff does not refinance or pay off the joint debts in that time?
Then the other spouse may take him or her back to Court.
The Court may order the Plaintiff's assets sold to pay off the joint debt(s).
If you need more lines, copy this page. Make sure it is included when you file this paper.
Are any of these debts listed above joint debts? It is a joint debt if both spouses signed a Note or
legal paper to pay the debt.
The Defendant will do his or her best to refinance or pay off these joint debts.
The Defendant has (choose one): 90 days 180 days 1 year from
the date the Court approves this Agreement to do so or otherwise take the other spouse's
name off of these joint debts.
What if the Defendant does not refinance or pay off the joint debts in that time?
Then the other spouse may take him or her back to Court.
The Court may order the Defendant's assets sold to pay off the joint debt(s).
Both the spouses agree to divide their debts as listed above. The Plaintiff agrees to pay all the debts listed
under "Plaintiff’s Debts.” The Defendant agrees to pay all the debts listed under “ Defendant’s Debts.” The
Plaintiff will not try to make the Defendant pay his/her debts. The Defendant will not try to make the
Plaintiff pay his/her debts.
The Plaintiff and Defendant understand that creditors can try to collect from both of them. A creditor may get
one spouse to pay the other spouse’s debt, even after the divorce is final. If that happens, the spouse who
has agreed to pay the debt will pay the other spouse back. He or she will pay back any payments and
reasonable lawyer’s fees the spouse paid. He or she will pay back any costs of trying to stop a creditor
from collecting the debt.
If you want alimony but do not agree on all the sections below, you cannot use this form.
You must fill out each section.
2. We agree that the alimony (check all the boxes that are true for your agreement):
Will end when the one who gets the alimony dies or gets married again.
Will end when the one who gets the alimony finishes school, or on ,
Whichever comes first.
Or if this happens
Will not be modified.
The court can modify the alimony due to significant changes in our lives, or if the person
receiving alimony lives with another person, with or without a romantic relationship.
3. We agree that the alimony will be paid (you must check one):
Weekly
Monthly
Other:
Lump sum paid all at one time.
Important! Both of us understand alimony may change our federal taxes. Unless we specifically
agree otherwise, the payor will be able to deduct it on his/her tax return and the person receiving it will
have to declare it as income. Our initials at the bottom of this page show we understand this. We
agree we are responsible for knowing, understanding and accepting this.
Name Change
Check below to change a spouse’s name back to the name used before this marriage (maiden
name or previous married name). A government agency or other business may need proof of this
name change. If so, give them a filed copy of this form.
Plaintiff
First Middle Last
Defendant
First Middle Last
Appro
July 2017 (Form 5) Divorce Agreement Cour
Page 7 of 9
Court Costs will be paid by (check one)
Plaintiff
Defendant
Plaintiff and Defendant will each pay half
Other (explain):
Waiver of Service
By signing this Agreement, the Plaintiff and Defendant agree they do not have to serve each other with
divorce papers. This form is only good for 180 days after the last spouse signs it. Your final hearing must
be within those 180 days. If the 180 days has passed, you will have to fill out, sign, and file this form
again. The spouses understand that they do not have to file an Answer to a Complaint for Divorce.
Entire Agreement
This document says everything the Plaintiff and Defendant agreed to in this divorce. If they agreed
with each other about anything else, the court cannot make them do it.
This form is a legal contract. It is very important this contract is completely filled out. Make sure that you are
OK with everything that is in it before you sign it. Speak to a lawyer before signing or if you have any
questions.
SWORN to and SUBSCRIBED before me, on SWORN to and SUBSCRIBED before me, on
(date): (date):
MM/DD/YYYY MM/DD/YYYY
Signed at (city): Signed at (city):
of By (Defendant):
By (Plaintiff):
Signature of Notary Public, State of Tennessee Signature of Notary Public, State of Tennessee
My commission expires on: My commission expires on:
MM/DD/YYYY MM/DD/YYYY
If you are ready to finalize your divorce, you must fill out this form and file it with the court clerk. Only the
spouse asking for the divorce must sign it, and that spouse must go to the court hearing. BUT, it is a good
idea for both spouses to go in case the court has questions. Ask the court clerk for the rules in your county.
The Judge does not have to sign this Order if he/she thinks your Divorce Agreement is not fair.
Take a copy of this form with you to your court hearing. It is best to take all copies of documents you have
filed in this case and take:
Divorce Agreement, Form 5, signed by both spouses and notarized if not filed with Request for Divorce
Divorce Certificate - you must get the official state form and have it filled out before court.
On (Date) , there was a court hearing at the court and county listed above .
(MM/DD/YYYY)
before
(Judge's Name)
The spouses have sworn and affirmed that they do not have any children together who are under 18,
in high school, or disabled and neither spouse is pregnant. Children together means children they
had together before the marriage and all children born or adopted during their marriage.
The spouses have both signed under penalty of perjury a Divorce Agreement (Marital Dissolution
Agreement). That Agreement has disclosed fully the spouses' assets and liabilities and the court finds
it equitably settles any and all property rights between them.
Alimony
The spouses are now divorced based on irreconcilable differences and are restored to the rights and
privileges of unmarried persons. The Divorce Agreement (Marital Dissolution Agreement) is now a
part of this Final Decree of Divorce.
The Court continues the current Protective Order from this Court until (MM/DD/YYYY): .
Attach a Copy of the Order of Protection. Write the Case Number here:
The parties have an Order of Protection in a different court. This Final Divorce Order does not
change that Order of Protection.
Attach a Copy of the Order of Protection. Write the Case Number here:
The Court order both parties not to hurt or threaten the other.
The Court further orders that they cannot contact each other after the divorce is final. They
also cannot send messages to each other through other people.
Important! You need to change your name on your driver's license or other records. You may need a
certified copy of this Order to do that.
Lawyers' fees
Neither side has a lawyer.
The Plaintiff will pay for his/her lawyer’s fees. The Defendant will pay for his/her lawyer’s fees.
Other (explain):
Other Orders
Notice: The Final Decree does not necessarily affect the ability of a creditor to proceed against a party or a
party's property, even though the party is not responsible under the terms of the decree for an account, any
debt associated with an account or any debt. It may be in a party's best interest to cancel, close or freeze
any jointly held accounts. T.C.A. §36-4-134.
What this means: This Order does not protect you against creditors. They may try to collect from you,
even if your spouse is responsible for the debt. It may be best to cancel, close, or freeze any accounts
you have together.
Judge's signature
This Order is not final until 30 days after the Judge signs it. During those 30 days, you
may have questions about remarrying or buying property. If so, talk to a lawyer.
Presented by:
Person Getting the Order
Plaintiff's Signature
Defendant's Signature
If your spouse did not go to this hearing, you must mail him/her a copy of this signed Final Divorce Order.
Then fill out the part below.
Certificate of Service:
I swear and affirm that a copy of the Final Divorce Order was given to my spouse. It was delivered in person
or sent by first-class U.S. Mail to this address:
Date (MM/DD/YYYY): .
Street Address
Phone number:
ATTACHED:
Divorce Agreement - Marital Dissolution Agreement (if not already submitted)
Divorce Certificate (if not already submitted)
Other:
July 2017 (Form 6) Final Divorce Order Page 4 of 4
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
State of Tennessee Court County
(Must Be Completed) (Must Be Completed)
File No.
Restraining Order for Divorcing Spouses (Must Be Completed)
(Statutory Injunction) Division
(Form 7) (Larger Counties Only)
Plaintiff
(Name: First, Middle, Last) of Spouse Filing the Divorce)
Defendant
(Name: First, Middle, Last of the Other Spouse)
Both spouses must obey all state law below until the divorce is granted.
If you do not obey them, you may be held in contempt.
Behavior You must not:
Bother, harass, threaten, assault or abuse your spouse.
Talk about your spouse in a bad way to or in front of your children, your spouse’s children, or
your spouse’s employer.
Hide, destroy, or spoil any evidence stored on a computer hard drive or memory storage
device.
Property
& Money DO NOT do anything to any property that makes it worth less money. This means you
can’t sell, spend, destroy, harm, transfer, assign, borrow against, hide, or do anything with it.
This is true unless the court orders it or your spouse agrees.
You may use your income for expenses that:
– Let you keep living as well as you did when married,
– Pay the usual costs for your business the same way you always do.
You must keep records of all expenses. If he/she asks, you must give your spouse copies
of those records.
Children You must not move the children:
Out of Tennessee, or
More than 50 miles from the home where you lived while married. This is true unless the
court orders it or your spouse agrees.
Important! Do you have a good reason to be afraid that your spouse might hurt you or your children?
Then you may go with your children to a safe place. Later, the other spouse may ask the court for an
emergency hearing and new Orders. The court can hold the hearing by phone, if needed.
Important! If you want to move with the children out of Tennessee or more than 50 miles away after the
divorce, Tennessee's relocation law applies. You must speak with a lawyer.
Insurance Unless the court orders it or your spouse agrees, you must not:
Change, cancel, or transfer any insurance policy that covers either spouse or the children.
Change, cancel, or transfer any insurance policy that names either spouse or the
children as beneficiary.
Stop paying for any insurance policy premium that covers either spouse or the children.
You must follow this Order unless the court changes or ends it, OR your case is final or dismissed. OR
you and your spouse make an agreement. Either spouse may ask the court to change or cancel this Order.
Plaintiff's Signature
Defendant's Signature
July 2017 (Form 7) Court Order for Divorcing Spouses Page 1 of 1
Approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court
State of Tennessee Court County
(Must Be Completed) (Must Be Completed)
File No.
Notice of Hearing to Approve (Must Be Completed)
Irreconcilable Differences Divorce Division
(Form 8) (Larger Counties Only)
Plaintiff
(Name: First, Middle, Last) of Spouse Filing the Divorce)
Defendant
(Name: First, Middle, Last of the Other Spouse)
This case is set for hearing at the court above on: a.m.
p.m.
, 20 at
(Month/Day)
Location: Room #
(Street) (City, State, Zip)
Presented by:
Person asking for the Hearing to approve the irreconcilable differences divorce
Certificate of Service
I swear and affirm that a copy of this Notice was given to my spouse. It was delivered in person or sent by first-
class U.S. Mail to this address:
Street Address: