Tennessee Custody & Residential Parenting Time
Current, source-linked Tennessee terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Tennessee terminology
Primary Residential Parent (PRP)
The parent with whom the child resides more than 50% of the time. Even a 50/50 schedule designates one PRP.
Alternate Residential Parent (ARP)
The parent with less than 50% residential time.
Residential parenting time
The schedule of time each parent has the child (the modern term for the old 'visitation').
Best interests
The standard; decided on the factors in T.C.A. § 36-6-106.
Core rules
- Tennessee uses 'custody' with a Primary Residential Parent (PRP) / Alternate Residential Parent (ARP) designation and 'residential parenting time'
- Even a joint / 50/50 schedule designates one PRP
- The court must order both parents maximum participation consistent with the child's best interests (T.C.A. § 36-6-106)
- A Permanent Parenting Plan is required (T.C.A. § 36-6-404)
- Both parents must complete a mandatory 4-hour parent education seminar (§ 36-6-408)
- The court considers the child's preference if the child is age 12 or older
Support and modification cautions
Tennessee uses the Income Shares model for child support (T.C.A. § 36-5-101) — not a flat percentage of one parent's income. Child support may be modified on a significant variance (~15%). Custody modification uses a material change in circumstances standard (T.C.A. § 36-6-101) — with a lower threshold for a schedule change than for changing the PRP.
- T.C.A. § 36-6-106 — best interests / custody
- Tennessee Child Support Guidelines
- Tennessee Courts — self-help
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the clerk of the Tennessee court (Circuit / Chancery / Juvenile) handling your case.