Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee
15 Ground for Divorce
Ground One
Either party, at the time of the contract, was and still is naturally impotent and incapable of procreation.
Ground Two
Either party has knowingly entered into a second marriage, in violation of a previous marriage, still subsisting. This is also known as "bigamy".
Ground Three
Either party has committed adultery. *Note: There are certain defenses to this ground.
Ground Four
Willful or malicious desertion or absence of either party, without a reasonable cause, for one (1) whole year.
Ground Five
Being convicted of any crime that, by the laws of the state, renders the party infamous.
Ground Six
Being convicted of a crime that, by the laws of the state, is declared to be a felony, and sentenced to confinement in the penitentiary.
Ground Seven
Either party has attempted the life of the other, by poison or any other means showing malice.
Ground Eight
Refusal, on the part of a spouse, to remove with that person's spouse to this state, without a reasonable cause, and being willfully absent from the spouse residing in Tennessee for two (2) years.
Ground Nine
The woman was pregnant at the time of the marriage, by another person, without the knowledge of the husband.
Ground Ten
Habitual drunkenness or abuse of narcotic drugs of either party, when the spouse has contracted either such habit after marriage.
Ground Eleven
The husband or wife is guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct towards the spouse as renders cohabitation unsafe and improper, which may also be referred to in pleadings as inappropriate marital conduct. Note: This is one of the most popular grounds for divorce in Tennessee.
Ground Twelve
The husband or wife has offered such indignities to the spouse's person as to render the spouse's position intolerable, and thereby forced the spouse to withdraw;
Ground Thirteen
The husband or wife has abandoned the spouse or turned the spouse out of doors for no just cause, and has refused or neglected to provide for the spouse while having the ability to so provide;
Ground Fourteen
Irreconcilable differences between the parties. *Note: This ground is considered a 'no-fault' ground.
Ground Fifteen
For a continuous period of two (2) or more years that commenced prior to or after April 18, 1985, both parties have lived in separate residences, have not cohabited as man and wife during such period, and there are no minor children of the parties.
