Tennessee law permits the dissolution of marriage based on irreconcilable differences, meaning the parties no longer get along and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. This approach to divorce does not require proof of wrongdoing by either party. Instead, a marital dissolution can proceed when both spouses agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken or, in some cases, when one spouse asserts the same and the court finds sufficient evidence to support that claim. As an example, a couple may cite persistent disagreements over finances or child-rearing as grounds without having to assign blame.
Choosing to pursue this path offers several advantages. It can reduce conflict and hostility between spouses, leading to a more amicable separation. This, in turn, can lower legal costs and shorten the duration of the divorce process. Furthermore, this method acknowledges that marriages sometimes end due to incompatibility rather than misconduct, reflecting a modern understanding of marital breakdown. The introduction of this option marked a significant shift in Tennessee divorce law, moving away from a system focused on fault and toward one that prioritizes efficiency and reduced animosity.
