Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalized their divorce on January 6, 2026, in Nashville, ending their 19-year marriage with a parenting arrangement that gave Kidman 306 custody days per year with their two teenage daughters, while Urban receives 59 days. Neither party will pay alimony or child support, and both signed a non-disparagement clause—a settlement structure that illustrates how high-net-worth Tennessee divorces often unfold when both spouses have substantial independent income.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Settlement date | January 6, 2026 (Nashville court) |
| Marriage duration | 19 years (married June 2006 in Sydney) |
| Children | Two teenage daughters |
| Custody split | Kidman: 306 days; Urban: 59 days |
| Child support | $0 (mutually waived) |
| Spousal support | $0 (mutually waived) |
| Key provision | Non-disparagement clause protecting children |
How Tennessee Parenting Plans Actually Work
Tennessee requires every divorcing couple with minor children to file a Permanent Parenting Plan Order before the court grants a final decree. This document specifies residential schedules, decision-making authority, and dispute-resolution procedures under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404. The Kidman-Urban arrangement—designating one parent as "primary residential parent" while the other receives every-other-weekend parenting time—follows a common Tennessee template, though the specific 306/59 day split reflects their particular circumstances.
The settlement documents, obtained by Fox News Digital, listed both parents as "joint custodians" while designating Kidman as the primary residential parent. This distinction matters in Tennessee: joint custody means shared decision-making authority over major issues like education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, while the residential designation determines where the children primarily live.
The 15-Factor Best Interest Analysis
When Tennessee courts evaluate custody arrangements, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 requires judges to consider 15 specific factors, including:
- Which parent performed the majority of daily parenting responsibilities
- Each parent's willingness to facilitate the child's relationship with the other parent
- The stability of each parent's home environment
- The employment schedule of each parent
- The reasonable preference of children age 12 or older
No single factor controls the outcome. Courts balance all 15 factors to craft arrangements serving the child's welfare over parental convenience. In the Kidman-Urban case, both daughters are teenagers old enough that their preferences likely influenced the residential split, though settlement agreements don't require the same factor-by-factor analysis as contested cases.
Why Neither Party Receives Support
The mutual waiver of both alimony and child support reflects a reality common in high-net-worth divorces: when both spouses have substantial independent income, Tennessee courts often approve settlements with zero support obligations.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, courts consider 12 statutory factors when determining alimony, with two factors carrying particular weight: the economically disadvantaged spouse's need and the obligor spouse's ability to pay. Kidman's net worth (estimated at $250 million from her acting career) and Urban's net worth (estimated at $75 million from his music career) eliminated any claim of economic disadvantage by either party.
The Tennessee legislature explicitly recognizes that homemaker contributions are "of equal dignity and importance as economic contributions." However, when both spouses maintained high-earning careers throughout the marriage, this protective provision becomes less relevant to the support calculation.
The Zero Child Support Calculation
Tennessee uses income shares child support guidelines under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101, which calculate support based on both parents' combined income and the percentage of parenting time each exercises. The guidelines cap combined parental income at $360,000 annually for calculation purposes—a ceiling far below what both Kidman and Urban earn.
When both parents have high incomes and can independently provide for the children's needs at comparable levels, Tennessee courts routinely approve $0 child support agreements. The key is demonstrating that both households can maintain the children's established standard of living.
The Non-Disparagement Clause: Protecting Children
The settlement included language requiring both parents to "behave with each other and each child so as to provide a loving, stable, consistent and nurturing relationship" and specifically prohibiting either parent from speaking "badly of each other or the members of the family of the other parent," according to court documents reviewed by multiple outlets.
Non-disparagement clauses appear frequently in Tennessee parenting plans, particularly in high-profile cases. Courts view such provisions favorably because they align with the statutory directive in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 to facilitate "maximum participation possible in the life of the child" by both parents.
What Happens if Someone Violates the Clause
Violating a non-disparagement clause in a Tennessee parenting plan can constitute contempt of court. Remedies may include modification of the parenting plan, attorney's fee awards, or in extreme cases, changes to the custody arrangement itself. The clause essentially creates a legally enforceable promise backed by the court's contempt powers.
Practical Takeaways for Tennessee Divorces
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Parenting plans are mandatory. Tennessee will not finalize your divorce until you file a Permanent Parenting Plan Order specifying residential schedules, decision-making authority, and dispute-resolution procedures.
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"Joint custody" doesn't mean 50/50 time. The Kidman-Urban settlement shows that joint custodians can have dramatically different residential schedules (306 days vs. 59 days) while still sharing legal decision-making authority.
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High earners can waive support. When both spouses have substantial independent income, Tennessee courts routinely approve $0 alimony and $0 child support agreements.
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Non-disparagement clauses are enforceable. Including such language in your parenting plan creates a court-enforceable obligation that can be remedied through contempt proceedings.
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Settlement avoids the 15-factor analysis. Negotiated agreements allow parents to control their own terms rather than having a judge apply the statutory factors after a contested hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee prefer mothers for custody?
No. Tennessee law explicitly prohibits gender-based presumptions in custody determinations. Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 requires courts to evaluate 15 specific factors focused on the child's best interests, not parental gender. The Kidman-Urban 306/59 split reflects their specific circumstances—including Urban's touring schedule and the teenagers' preferences—not a maternal preference.
Can both parents agree to $0 child support in Tennessee?
Yes, when both parents have sufficient income to independently maintain the children's standard of living. Tennessee's child support guidelines under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 cap calculations at $360,000 combined income, but courts approve $0 agreements when both households can provide comparable support. The agreement must demonstrate that children's needs are fully met.
What happens if someone violates a non-disparagement clause in Tennessee?
Violation of a non-disparagement clause in a Tennessee parenting plan can result in contempt of court proceedings. Remedies include attorney's fee awards, parenting plan modifications, and in severe cases, custody adjustments. Courts treat these provisions seriously because they protect children from parental conflict during and after divorce.
How long does a Tennessee divorce take with minor children?
Tennessee requires a 90-day waiting period for divorces involving minor children, measured from the date of filing to the date the court can enter a final decree. The Kidman-Urban divorce took approximately 15 months from the September 2024 filing to the January 2026 finalization—longer than the minimum, likely due to negotiating the parenting plan and property division.
Can teenagers choose which parent to live with in Tennessee?
Tennessee courts must consider the "reasonable preference" of children age 12 or older under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(9). Courts may also hear younger children's preferences upon request. However, the child's preference is one of 15 factors—not determinative. With both daughters being teenagers, their preferences likely influenced the Kidman-Urban arrangement.
If you're navigating a Tennessee divorce involving children, parenting time disputes, or questions about support obligations, find a family law attorney in your county who can provide guidance specific to your situation.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.