Tennessee Permanent Parenting Plan

TENNESSEE PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN

IMPORTANT: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404, every final decree or decree of modification in an action for absolute divorce, legal separation, annulment, or separate maintenance involving a minor child must incorporate a permanent parenting plan. Tennessee requires the use of the official state-approved form available from the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. This template supplements and assists in preparing the official form but does not replace it. The completed official form must be filed with the Court.

IN THE [________________________________] COURT FOR [________________________________] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Docket No.: [________________________________]

Division: [____]

[________________________________], Plaintiff / Petitioner,

v.

[________________________________], Defendant / Respondent.

Filed in connection with:
☐ Divorce (T.C.A. § 36-4-101 et seq.)
☐ Legal Separation
☐ Annulment
☐ Separate Maintenance
☐ Modification of Prior Parenting Plan
☐ Paternity Action
☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION I: PARENT INFORMATION

A. Primary Residential Parent (PRP) — T.C.A. § 36-6-402

The PRP is the parent with whom the child resides more than 50% of the time and who provides the child's principal residence for purposes of school enrollment and mailing address.

B. Alternate Residential Parent (ARP) — T.C.A. § 36-6-402

The ARP is the parent with whom the child resides less than 50% of the time.

SECTION II: CHILD(REN) INFORMATION

SECTION III: RESIDENTIAL PARENTING SCHEDULE

Under T.C.A. § 36-6-402(3), the residential schedule establishes with which parent the child shall reside on given days of the year, including provision for holidays, birthdays, vacations, and other special occasions.

A. Regular Weekly Schedule

During the School Year (approximately [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]):

Schedule description: [________________________________]
[________________________________]

During the Summer (approximately [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]):

☐ Same as school year schedule above.
☐ Different schedule as follows:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

B. Total Days Per Year

Note: The day count affects child support calculations under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. If the ARP has the child more than the "standard" number of days (per the Guidelines), an adjustment to child support may apply.

C. Holiday and Break Schedule

Holidays and school breaks supersede the regular weekly schedule. Unless otherwise indicated, holiday times begin at 6:00 PM the day before and end at 6:00 PM on the holiday (or as specified).

Additional Notes on Holiday Schedule:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

D. Extended Summer Parenting Time

Each parent shall have the following uninterrupted vacation time with the child during summer:

• PRP: [____] weeks, with [____] days' written notice to ARP by [__/__/____] each year.
• ARP: [____] weeks, with [____] days' written notice to PRP by [__/__/____] each year.

Summer vacation time supersedes the regular schedule. Neither parent shall schedule vacation time that conflicts with the other parent's previously noticed vacation time without written consent.

E. Weekend and Weekday Definitions

For purposes of this Plan:

• "Weekend" begins Friday at [____] and ends Sunday at [____] (or Monday morning school drop-off).
• "Overnight" means from [____] PM to [____] AM the following day.
• School pick-up and drop-off times are governed by the child's school schedule.

SECTION IV: DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

Under Tennessee law, the parent exercising residential time makes routine day-to-day decisions. Major decisions are allocated as follows:

A. Major Decision-Making

B. Emergency Decisions

The parent exercising residential parenting time at the time of the emergency shall make emergency decisions (including emergency medical treatment) and shall notify the other parent as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the emergency.

C. Decision-Making Process for Joint Decisions

When joint decision-making is designated:

1. The parent identifying the need for a decision shall notify the other parent in writing (email or co-parenting app).
2. The parents shall discuss the matter within [____] days of notification.
3. If the parents cannot agree, they shall submit the matter to mediation before a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator.
4. If mediation fails, the tie-breaker parent designated above shall have final authority, subject to court review.

SECTION V: TRANSPORTATION AND EXCHANGES

A. Exchange Location

☐ At the PRP's residence: [________________________________]
☐ At the ARP's residence: [________________________________]
☐ At a neutral location: [________________________________]
☐ At the child's school (school pick-up/drop-off)
☐ At a supervised exchange location: [________________________________]

B. Transportation Responsibility

☐ The parent beginning their residential time shall pick up the child.
☐ The parent ending their residential time shall deliver the child.
☐ Transportation is shared equally.
☐ Other arrangement: [________________________________]

C. Exchange Conduct

Both parents shall:

• Be punctual for all exchanges (within 15 minutes of scheduled time).
• Ensure the child is ready with all necessary belongings, medications, school materials, and clothing.
• Conduct exchanges in a calm, conflict-free manner.
• Notify the other parent as soon as possible if an exchange will be delayed.
• Not use the child as a messenger between parents.

D. Long-Distance Transportation (If Applicable)

If the parents live more than [____] miles apart:

• Travel costs shall be allocated: ☐ PRP pays [____]% / ARP pays [____]% ☐ Equally ☐ Relocating parent pays
• Mode of travel: ☐ Driving ☐ Air travel ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Unaccompanied minor provisions (air travel): [________________________________]

SECTION VI: COMMUNICATION

A. Parent-to-Parent Communication

• Primary method: ☐ Email ☐ Text ☐ Co-parenting app ([________________________________]) ☐ Phone
• Response time for non-emergency matters: Within [____] hours.
• Emergency communication: Immediately by phone, followed by written confirmation.

B. Parent-Child Communication During Other Parent's Residential Time

• The residential parent shall facilitate reasonable telephone and/or video communication between the child and the other parent.
• Suggested schedule: [________________________________]
• Neither parent shall monitor, record, or interfere with the child's private communications with the other parent.
• Neither parent shall use the child's phone or device to access information about the other parent.

C. Electronic Communication / Social Media

• Neither parent shall post photographs of the child on public social media without the other parent's consent.
• Neither parent shall allow the child to have social media accounts without agreement of both parents (for children under age [____]).

D. Non-Disparagement

Neither parent shall make derogatory or disparaging remarks about the other parent, the other parent's family, or the other parent's significant other in the presence or hearing of the child. Neither parent shall allow others to make such remarks in the child's presence.

SECTION VII: CHILD'S PREFERENCE

Under T.C.A. § 36-6-106(a)(7), the reasonable preference of a child twelve (12) years of age or older is a factor the Court considers in making custody determinations.

☐ The child(ren) subject to this Plan are all under age 12; child's preference is not a statutory factor at this time.
☐ The following child(ren) are age 12 or older, and their reasonable preference has been considered:

• Child: [________________________________], Age: [____], Preference noted: ☐ Yes ☐ No

SECTION VIII: PARENTAL RELOCATION — T.C.A. § 36-6-108

A. Notice Requirements

If either parent proposes to relocate outside the State of Tennessee or more than fifty (50) miles from the other parent within Tennessee, the relocating parent must:

1. Send written notice to the other parent by registered or certified mail at least sixty (60) days before the proposed move.
2. The notice must include:
   - The intended new residence (including address);
   - The reason(s) for the proposed relocation;
   - A proposed revised residential parenting schedule;
   - A statement that the non-relocating parent has thirty (30) days to object.

B. Response and Objection

• The non-relocating parent has thirty (30) days from receipt of notice to file a written objection.
• If no objection is filed within thirty (30) days, the relocating parent may proceed with the move.
• If an objection is filed, the relocating parent must file a petition with the Court seeking approval.

C. Burden of Proof

The Court shall determine whether relocation is in the best interest of the child considering the factors set forth in T.C.A. § 36-6-108.

D. Relocation Restriction

☐ Neither parent shall relocate the child more than [____] miles from [________________________________] without compliance with T.C.A. § 36-6-108.
☐ No additional geographic restriction beyond the statutory requirements.

SECTION IX: RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS — T.C.A. § 36-6-406

A. Limiting Factors

The Court has considered whether any of the following limiting factors exist under T.C.A. § 36-6-406:

☐ No limiting factors apply.

☐ The following limiting factors have been found, and the parenting plan includes the following restrictions:

☐ Willful abandonment or substantial refusal to perform parenting responsibilities
☐ Physical abuse or pattern of physical abuse of parent, child, or household member
☐ Sexual abuse of the child
☐ Pattern of emotional abuse of the child
☐ Neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting responsibilities
☐ Emotional or physical impairment interfering with parenting
☐ Drug, alcohol, or substance abuse impairment
☐ Absence or substantial impairment of emotional ties between parent and child
☐ Abusive use of conflict creating danger to child's psychological development
☐ Parent withheld access to child for protracted period without good cause
☐ Parent's criminal convictions relevant to parenting fitness

B. Supervised Parenting Time (If Applicable)

☐ Not applicable.
☐ The following parent's residential time shall be supervised: ☐ PRP ☐ ARP

• Type of supervision: ☐ Professional supervised visitation center ☐ Approved third-party supervisor ☐ Therapeutic supervision
• Supervisor name/center: [________________________________]
• Frequency and duration: [________________________________]
• Cost responsibility: ☐ Restricted parent (rebuttable presumption per T.C.A. § 36-6-406) ☐ Shared ☐ Other: [________________________________]
• Conditions for modification of supervision: [________________________________]

C. Domestic Violence Provisions

☐ Not applicable.
☐ An order of protection is currently in effect: Case No. [________________________________], Issued by [________________________________] Court, Expires [__/__/____].
☐ The parenting plan incorporates the following safety provisions: [________________________________]

SECTION X: PARENTING EDUCATION — T.C.A. § 36-6-408

Tennessee law requires each parent to attend a four-hour parenting education seminar approved by the Court. The seminar must be educational in nature and must address the impact of divorce on children, alternative dispute resolution, and domestic violence issues.

☐ PRP completed the seminar on [__/__/____] — Provider: [________________________________]
☐ ARP completed the seminar on [__/__/____] — Provider: [________________________________]
☐ PRP is ordered to complete the seminar by [__/__/____].
☐ ARP is ordered to complete the seminar by [__/__/____].

SECTION XI: MEDIATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION — T.C.A. § 36-6-409

A. Mandatory Mediation

Before filing any motion to modify or enforce this parenting plan (except in emergencies or when T.C.A. § 36-6-406 limiting factors apply), the parents shall participate in mediation with a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Mediator.

B. Selection of Mediator

☐ The parties agree to use the following mediator: [________________________________], Rule 31 Listing No. [________________________________]
☐ If the parties cannot agree on a mediator, each shall submit the names of two Rule 31 Listed Mediators to the Court, and the Court shall select the mediator.

C. Cost of Mediation

☐ Shared equally.
☐ PRP pays [____]% / ARP pays [____]%.
☐ As determined by the Court.

D. Exceptions to Mediation

Mediation is not required when:

• There is an allegation of domestic violence or child abuse;
• A party cannot afford the cost of mediation;
• The matter involves an emergency requiring immediate court intervention;
• Other statutory exceptions apply under T.C.A. § 36-6-409.

SECTION XII: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

A. Child Support

☐ Child support is addressed in a separate order.
☐ Child support is incorporated herein: [________________________________] shall pay $[________________________________] per month to [________________________________], payable through the Tennessee Central Child Support Receipting Unit (CCSRU), P.O. Box 305200, Nashville, TN 37229.

B. Health Insurance

☐ PRP shall maintain health insurance for the child(ren).
☐ ARP shall maintain health insurance for the child(ren).
☐ Both parents shall maintain health insurance, with [________________________________] providing primary coverage.

C. Uninsured and Extraordinary Medical Expenses

Uninsured medical, dental, orthodontic, optical, and mental health expenses shall be divided:
☐ Equally (50%/50%)
☐ In proportion to income: PRP [____]% / ARP [____]%
☐ Other: [________________________________]

The parent incurring the expense shall provide documentation to the other parent within [____] days, and the other parent shall reimburse their share within [____] days.

D. Extracurricular Activity Costs

☐ The parent who enrolls the child shall bear the cost.
☐ Shared equally.
☐ Shared in proportion to income.
☐ Other: [________________________________]

E. Education Expenses

☐ Not applicable at this time.
☐ Private school tuition: [________________________________]
☐ College savings contributions: [________________________________]

SECTION XIII: ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Right of First Refusal

☐ Not applicable.
☐ If either parent will be away from the child for more than [____] consecutive hours during their residential time, that parent shall first offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the child before using a third-party caregiver.

B. Introduction of Significant Others

Neither parent shall allow a romantic partner to be present overnight during residential parenting time until:
☐ No restriction.
☐ The relationship has lasted at least [____] months.
☐ The other parent has been given [____] days' notice and an opportunity to meet the person.
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Substance Use Restrictions

Neither parent shall consume alcohol to the point of impairment or use illegal substances during residential parenting time or within twelve (12) hours prior to the commencement of residential parenting time.

☐ Additional restriction: [________________________________] is required to submit to random drug/alcohol testing at the request of the other parent, with costs borne by [________________________________].

D. Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's home shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the child(ren).

E. Consistency Between Homes

The parents shall make reasonable efforts to maintain consistent rules, bedtimes, homework expectations, and discipline approaches across both households to provide stability for the child(ren).

F. Access to Records

Both parents shall have full and equal access to the child(ren)'s educational, medical, dental, mental health, and extracurricular records. Both parents shall be listed as emergency contacts at the child's school. Neither parent shall interfere with the other parent's access to such records or information.

G. Passport

☐ The child's passport shall be held by: ☐ PRP ☐ ARP ☐ Attorney for [________________________________]
☐ Both parents must consent to passport issuance and renewal for the child.

SECTION XIV: COURT INFORMATION

A. Court with Jurisdiction

This Permanent Parenting Plan is filed with and subject to the jurisdiction of:

☐ Circuit Court for [________________________________] County, Tennessee
☐ Chancery Court for [________________________________] County, Tennessee
☐ General Sessions Court for [________________________________] County, Tennessee

Judge/Chancellor: The Honorable [________________________________]
Docket No.: [________________________________]

B. County-Specific Information

Davidson County (Nashville): Circuit Court, Family Division, located at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201.

Shelby County (Memphis): Circuit Court, 30th Judicial District, Family Division, located at 140 Adams Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103.

Knox County (Knoxville): Fourth Circuit Court, located at the City-County Building, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.

SECTION XV: SIGNATURES

Parent Signatures

I have read this Permanent Parenting Plan and agree to abide by its terms. I understand that this Plan, once approved by the Court, is a binding court order enforceable by contempt proceedings.

Primary Residential Parent:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Alternate Residential Parent:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

Attorney Signatures

Attorney for PRP:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]
BPR No.: [________________________________]

Attorney for ARP:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]
BPR No.: [________________________________]

SECTION XVI: ORDER APPROVING PERMANENT PARENTING PLAN

The Court, having reviewed the Permanent Parenting Plan and having considered the best interest factors set forth in T.C.A. § 36-6-106(a), finds that this Plan is in the best interest of the child(ren) and hereby APPROVES and ORDERS this Permanent Parenting Plan.

☐ This Plan is entered by agreement of the parties.
☐ This Plan is entered after contested hearing.
☐ This Plan is entered as a modification of a prior Plan.

The Primary Residential Parent is: [________________________________]
The Alternate Residential Parent is: [________________________________]

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________
Judge/Chancellor
[________________________________] Court for [________________________________] County, Tennessee

FILING CHECKLIST

☐ Completed Permanent Parenting Plan (official Tennessee AOC form and this supplement)
☐ Tennessee Child Support Worksheet
☐ Income documentation for both parents
☐ Parenting education seminar certificates for both parents (T.C.A. § 36-6-408)
☐ Mediation report or waiver (T.C.A. § 36-6-409)
☐ Proposed Order Approving Permanent Parenting Plan
☐ Filing fee (varies by county; approximately $200-$301)
☐ Certificate of service on opposing party/counsel

Sources and References

• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-401 — Parenting plan provisions; legislative intent
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-402 — Definitions: Primary Residential Parent, Alternate Residential Parent, residential schedule
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404 — Permanent parenting plan requirement (mandatory in all custody cases)
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-405 — Modification of permanent parenting plans
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-406 — Restrictions in temporary or permanent parenting plans; limiting factors; supervised visitation
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-408 — Mandatory parenting education seminar (4-hour minimum)
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-409 — Mediation requirement before trial
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a) — Best interest of the child factors (15+ statutory factors)
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(7) — Child's reasonable preference (age 12+)
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-108 — Parental relocation (60-day notice, 50-mile threshold)
• Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-101 — Decree for custody; modification standards
• Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 — Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
• Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts — Official Permanent Parenting Plan form (www.tncourts.gov)
• Tennessee Child Support Guidelines — Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04