Tennessee requires that divorcing parents enter into a Permanent Parenting Plan, and a specific form is required.  The terms of the Plan can be reached by agreement of the parties, subject to Court approval, or the Court will determine the terms of the Plan if the parties proceed to litigation. 

Please go to the Links section of this website and click on "Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts", then to "Programs & Services", then to "Parenting Plan" to review a Permanent Parenting Plan form.

Of the many issues in domestic law, child custody is perhaps the most emotionally charged. For this reason, it can also become the most expensive sort of litigation that might result from your separation. In most cases, however, couples are able to compromise on custody without forcing this issue into court. In fact, in most divorces child custody never becomes a real issue. One parent (still often the mother) has been the primary caregiver throughout the child's life; and the parties agree that this caregiver should continue to have the child most of the time.

In Tennessee, court approval is required for any parenting agreement.  Until you both settle, or until a court issues a ruling on custody, each parent generally has co-equal rights to the physical possession of a child of the marriage.