What is considered marital property in the state of Tennessee?

Asked by: Dr. Cleve Emmerich  |  Last update: July 28, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (19 votes)

In Tennessee, anything acquired during marriage by either partner, is considered marital property. This refers to more than just your paycheck, but also includes real property, businesses, investments, credit cards, loans—essentially any kind of increase or decrease to your family unit.

What is considered marital property in Tennessee?

(A) "Marital property" means all real and personal property, both tangible and intangible, acquired by either or both spouses during the course of the marriage up to the date of the final divorce hearing and owned by either or both spouses as of the date of filing of a complaint for divorce, except in the case of ...

Who has to leave the house in a divorce in TN?

Often one spouse will voluntarily vacate the home during a divorce because they think it is “the right thing to do”. However, there is no obligation on one spouse or the other to leave the residence during divorce.

How do married couples generally hold property in the state of Tennessee?

Ownership as Tenancy by Entirety is only available to married couples. Under Tennessee law, a married couple can own property (both real and personal property) as tenants by the entirety.

How is a house divided in a divorce in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, marital property must be divided equitably. That means that if you buy a house while you're married, you and your spouse are both entitled to the equity in that home. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be ordered to sell the house and split the proceeds right down the middle.

Marital property division in Tennessee divorce | Daniel Loyd Taylor

21 related questions found

What is a husband entitled to in a divorce in Tennessee?

According to Tennessee code § 36-4-121, the judge will split all marital assets equitably during a divorce. An equitable split doesn't necessarily mean that assets will be split 50/50. It means the division depends on circumstances such as each spouse's financial situation and their ability to earn an income.

Who leaves the house during a divorce?

Because California is a community property state, if the couple bought the house while they were married, they both have an ownership stake in it, and neither can compel the other to leave.

Does a spouse automatically inherit everything in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, if you are married and you die without a will, what your spouse gets depends on whether or not you have living descendants -- children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. If you don't, then your spouse inherits all of your intestate property.

Is a house purchased before marriage marital property?

California: As a community property state, property acquired during the marriage is generally divided equally upon divorce. However, the pre-marriage-owned property remains separate unless actions during the marriage, like commingling funds or transferring property into joint names, have made it community property.

Does a spouse have to be on a deed in Tennessee?

Sole Ownership in Tennessee

Tennessee does not recognize community property, homestead, or dower and curtesy. This means that spouses can buy, sell, or own property without the involvement of the non-owner spouse. The only exception to this is when using a deed of trust.

Who loses more in a divorce?

Despite their best efforts to arrive at an equitable agreement, financial disparities between spouses after divorce are a reality for some couples. There is a good body of research on the subject that shows women bear the heaviest financial burden when a couple divorces.

What is the first thing to do when separating?

The First 5 Things To Do When Separating
  1. Step 1: Select a Divorce Attorney.
  2. Step 2: Determine Grounds For Divorce.
  3. Step 3: Understand State Laws.
  4. Step 4: Financial Assessment.
  5. Step 5: Nurture Your Well-Being.

How do I protect myself financially in a divorce?

How Do I Protect Myself Financially From My Spouse During a...
  1. Create a Financial Plan for Your Divorce. ...
  2. Open Your Own Bank Account. ...
  3. Separate Your Debt. ...
  4. Monitor Your Credit Score. ...
  5. Take an Inventory of Your Assets. ...
  6. Review Your Retirement Accounts. ...
  7. Consider Mediation Before Litigation. ...
  8. Popular Family Law Articles.

What are non marital assets?

Nonmarital assets are property which is considered to be in the possession of or belonging to only one spouse or the other. The easiest definition of nonmarital assets is property that was brought into the marriage by one spouse or the other, meaning it was acquired prior to the marriage being finalized.

What is the new marriage law in Tennessee?

The law was passed in 2024 and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee. The law would thus allow wedding officiants to legally discriminate against couples entering interracial unions, heterosexual unions and same-sex marriages.

Can your spouse take your inheritance in a divorce in Tennessee?

Inheritance is generally considered to be separate (non-marital) property in Tennessee regardless of whether the inheritance was received before or during a marriage.

Can my wife take my house if I bought it before marriage in Tennessee?

Tennessee is known as an 'equitable distribution' state when it comes to assets obtained while married. That means that in general assets or property obtained prior to marriage remain with the person who owns the property but any increase in value WHILE married can be considered a marital growth.

What happens if I buy a house before my divorce is final?

If you live in a state like California, the new home will become community property. Even though the new home will be where you live and only purchased by you, your ex will have part ownership of it because you are still married.

What happens when you own a house and then get married?

Your spouse's right to the property

In some states, they may already have a right to half your property just because you're married (California and Texas, for example), but in others, you may need to add them to the deed and title before they can lay claim to the home.

Can a husband leave his wife out of his will in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee law, even if a spouse is left out of a will entirely, a surviving spouse will always be entitled to an elective share of the estate. The share is calculated based on how many years the marriage lasted. Thoughtful estate planning and execution is essential for the health and longevity of every family.

Does everything automatically go to a spouse after death?

While some marital assets pass by default to the surviving spouse, some assets pass to the surviving spouse by way of beneficiary designations. There are two types of designations: payable-on-death (POD) designations and transfer-on-death (TOD) designations.

Why should you never leave your house in a divorce?

The Financial Implications of Moving out of the Marital Home

The court may order you to continue making payments on the house and paying for regular expenses like utilities, even if you no longer live there. This means that you will now be paying for two homes, which can impact your budget during the divorce process.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Tennessee?

The wife may be entitled to a share of the marital assets, such as the home, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property. The wife may also be entitled to alimony or spousal support, depending on her financial situation and the ability of the husband to pay.

What is the walkaway wife syndrome?

“Walkaway wife syndrome emerges whenever a wife who is emotionally detached and unhappy abruptly breaks off her marriage,” says Holly J. Moore of Moore Family Law Group. “It may seem abrupt to the [partner] but women generally think about divorce for several years before actually leaving.