Property Division Factors in a Tennessee Divorce

In making equitable division of marital property, the Court considers these statutory factors.

  1. The duration of the marriage.

  2. The age, physical and mental health, vocational skills, employability, earning capacity, estate, financial liabilities and financial needs of each of the parties.

  3. The tangible or intangible contribution by one (1) party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party.

  4. The relative ability of each party for future acquisitions of capital assets and income.

  5. The contribution of each party to the acquisition, preservation, appreciation, depreciation or dissipation of the marital or separate property, including the contribution of a party to the marriage as homemaker, wage earner or parent, with the contribution of a party as homemaker or wage earner to be given the same weight if each party has fulfilled its role.

    ***For purposes of this factor, dissipation of assets means wasteful expenditures which reduce the marital property available for equitable distributions and which are made for a purpose contrary to the marriage either before or after a complaint for divorce or legal separation has been filed.***

  6. The value of the separate property of each party.

  7. The estate of each party at the time of the marriage.

  8. The economic circumstances of each party at the time the division of property is to become effective.

  9. The tax consequences to each party, costs associated with the reasonably foreseeable sale of the asset, and other reasonably foreseeable expenses associated with the asset.

  10. In determining the value of an interest in a closely held business or similar asset, all relevant evidence, including valuation methods typically used with regard to such assets without regard to whether the sale of the asset is reasonably foreseeable. Depending on the characteristics of the asset, such considerations could include, but would not be limited to, a lack of marketability discount, a discount for lack of control, and a control premium, if any should be relevant and supported by the evidence.

  11. The amount of social security benefits available to each spouse.

  12. Such other factors as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties


James R. Cook, II (J.R.)

James R. Cook, II ("J.R.") is a family law and civil litigation attorney licensed to practice law in both State and Federal court. J.R. earned his undergraduate degree from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and his Juris Doctorate degree from the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia. While attending law school, J.R. served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate representing the best interest of children in child custody cases; earned extensive training in negotiation, mediation and arbitration; and completed 150+ hours of community service.

J.R. has been recognized by numerous legal organizations for his outstanding family law accomplishments, including being named a Top 10 Family Law Attorney by Attorney and Practice Magazine, a Top 10 Attorney Under 40, and the Avvo Client's Choice Award for five (5) consecutive years. J.R. practices almost exclusively in the area of family law and has extensive experience handling high and low asset divorces, complicated custody disputes, adoptions, and other family law related matters. He understands how stressful, intimidating and complicated lawsuits may be; therefore, it is his goal to make sure every client receives aggressive, dependable and fair representation.

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