10/07/2025
Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly, which isn't always the same as equally. While assets you owned before the marriage are generally separate property and not subject to division, the appreciation or income from that separate property during the marriage can become marital property. This happens if the non-owner spouse substantially contributed to its preservation and appreciation. For example, if a spouse brought a rental property into the marriage and the other spouse managed the property, made repairs, or leveraged their income to pay the mortgage, the increase in the property's value could be deemed a marital asset subject to division.