Legal Separation and Annulment in Tennessee
Whether Tennessee offers legal separation, how it differs from divorce, and the grounds for an annulment.
Short answer: Yes. A spouse with grounds for divorce may instead file for legal separation, and the court will declare the parties legally separated unless the other spouse specifically objects (in which case it may still grant it after a hearing if grounds are proven). Tenn. Code Ann. 36-4-102
| Legal separation | Yes. A spouse with grounds for divorce may instead file for legal separation, and the court will declare the parties legally separated unless the other spouse specifically objects (in which case it may still grant it after a hearing if grounds are proven). Legal separation does not end the marriage but allows the spouses to stop living together. After a legal separation order has been in place more than two years without reconciliation, either party may petition for an absolute divorce. Source: Tenn. Code Ann. 36-4-102 |
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Where to get help in Tennessee
More Tennessee divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Tennessee
- Adopting a Child in Tennessee
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Tennessee
- Establishing Paternity in Tennessee
- Changing Your Name in Tennessee
- Child Custody Laws in Tennessee
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Tennessee
- Divorce Records in Tennessee
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Tennessee
- How to File for Divorce in Tennessee
- All Tennessee divorce & family law rules
FAQ
Can you get a legal separation in Tennessee?
Yes. A spouse with grounds for divorce may instead file for legal separation, and the court will declare the parties legally separated unless the other spouse specifically objects (in which case it may still grant it after a hearing if grounds are proven). Legal separation does not end the marriage but allows the spouses to stop living together. After a legal separation order has been in place more than two years without reconciliation, either party may petition for an absolute divorce.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.