Country star Jelly Roll (41) and podcast host Bunnie XO (46) finalized their divorce in mid-July 2026 in Williamson County, Tennessee, according to TMZ. The settlement divides homes, vehicles, an aircraft and intellectual property, includes a one-time lump-sum payment to Bunnie, waives all alimony claims, and adds a strict non-disparagement clause — a template many Tennessee couples with business assets should study.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO finalized their divorce settlement |
| When | Mid-July 2026 (reported July 17, 2026) |
| Where | Williamson County, Tennessee |
| Who's affected | The couple; a marital estate including homes, vehicles, an aircraft and intellectual property |
| Key statute | Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121 (equitable distribution) |
| Impact | Full property split, one-time lump sum, no alimony, non-disparagement clause |
Why this settlement matters legally
This settlement demonstrates that Tennessee couples can resolve a high-value, asset-complex divorce entirely by private agreement rather than by a judge's ruling. By reaching a marital dissolution agreement, Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO controlled how their aircraft, real estate, vehicles and intellectual property were divided — instead of leaving those decisions to a Williamson County judge applying Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121.
The waiver of alimony is the most instructive feature. Tennessee recognizes four types of spousal support, and courts often award some form of it after a lengthy or high-earning marriage. When both spouses have independent income — a chart-topping recording artist and a successful podcast host — a mutual, knowing alimony waiver becomes both realistic and enforceable. Tennessee courts generally uphold such waivers when the agreement is entered voluntarily and with full financial disclosure.
The reported non-disparagement clause is a contract term, not a statute. It obligates each party to refrain from public criticism, and a breach is enforced as a violation of the settlement agreement rather than under family-law statutes. For public figures whose brands are their livelihood, that clause protects future earning capacity as much as reputation.
How Tennessee law handles this
Tennessee is an equitable-distribution state, not a community-property state. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121, marital property is divided fairly — but not necessarily 50/50 — based on statutory factors including each spouse's contribution, the length of the marriage, and the value of separate property. A negotiated settlement lets the parties define "equitable" for themselves, which is exactly what a divided aircraft and allocated intellectual property reflect. Understanding equitable distribution is the starting point for any Tennessee property division.
Intellectual property — music catalogs, publishing rights, podcast trademarks, and royalty streams — is treated as property subject to division when created or enhanced during the marriage. Tennessee courts examine whether the asset, or the increase in its value, resulted from marital effort. Because valuing future royalties is difficult, couples frequently trade IP for other assets or a lump-sum payment, as this settlement appears to do. Our property division tool for Tennessee can help readers visualize how a mixed estate might be allocated.
Alimony in Tennessee is governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, which authorizes alimony in futuro, transitional alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and alimony in solido (a lump sum). The one-time payment reported here functions like alimony in solido or a property equalization payment — a fixed sum that, unlike ongoing support, is generally not modifiable later. That finality is often the point: it closes the financial relationship cleanly. Readers weighing future changes should review how spousal support modification works before agreeing to any support term.
Tennessee also requires a residency and process foundation before any divorce is granted. At least one spouse must meet Tennessee's residency requirements, and the county of filing — here, Williamson County — must have proper venue. Because Tennessee recognizes irreconcilable differences as a ground, a couple who agrees on all terms can proceed on a no-fault divorce basis, which is the fastest path through the divorce process.
Practical takeaways
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Put every category of asset in writing. This settlement itemized homes, vehicles, an aircraft and intellectual property. In Tennessee, an unlisted asset can resurface later; a comprehensive marital dissolution agreement under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121 reduces that risk.
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Value intellectual property before dividing it. Music catalogs, trademarks and royalty streams need a professional valuation. Trading IP for a lump sum only works if both spouses know what the IP is worth.
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Understand what an alimony waiver forecloses. Waiving alimony under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121 is generally permanent. Do it only after full disclosure and with independent counsel.
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Consider a lump sum for finality. Alimony in solido or an equalization payment is usually non-modifiable, which ends future disputes — but also removes any safety net if circumstances change.
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Add a non-disparagement clause if reputation is an asset. For business owners and public figures, this contract term protects brand value after the marriage ends.
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Estimate your costs early. Use our Tennessee divorce cost estimator and divorce timeline tool to plan realistically before negotiating.
High-asset divorces succeed or fail on preparation. If you are facing property division, business or intellectual-property valuation, or a spousal-support decision in Tennessee, a personalized divorce roadmap can help you map the steps, and you can find a Tennessee divorce attorney to guide the negotiation.
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.