Country star Jon Pardi, 41, and wife Summer Pardi, 37, announced on July 3, 2026 that they are divorcing after nearly six years of marriage, with Summer having filed on May 12, 2026 in Davidson County, Tennessee, citing irreconcilable differences. She asked to be named primary residential parent of daughters Presley (3) and Sienna (23 months) under Tennessee's parenting-plan framework — a request that triggers a best-interest analysis under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106.
The filing, first reported by iHeartCountry and Us Weekly, reflects a common Tennessee divorce posture: an amicable public statement paired with a standard petition that preserves each spouse's legal position on custody. Both Pardis pledged to co-parent "with love and respect."
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Summer Pardi filed for divorce from Jon Pardi |
| When filed | May 12, 2026 (announced publicly July 3, 2026) |
| Where | Davidson County Chancery/Circuit Court, Tennessee |
| Grounds cited | Irreconcilable differences (no-fault) |
| Custody request | Summer seeks to be primary residential parent of two daughters |
| Key statutes | Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-101; § 36-6-106 |
Why this matters legally
Summer Pardi's request to be named primary residential parent does not decide custody — it opens a negotiation and, if needed, a judicial determination under Tennessee's best-interest standard. Tennessee abolished the old "custody" language in favor of a parenting plan that designates a primary residential parent (the parent with more than 50% of overnights) and allocates decision-making authority. When parents cannot agree, the court must adopt a permanent parenting plan under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404.
The irreconcilable-differences ground is significant because it is a true no-fault basis. Tennessee allows an uncontested no-fault divorce when spouses reach a written marital dissolution agreement, but if minor children are involved, that agreement must include a parenting plan the court finds serves the children's best interests. Because the Pardis have two children under age four, no divorce can be finalized until a parenting plan is approved — regardless of how amicable the split appears.
How Tennessee law handles this
Tennessee courts determine parenting arrangements using the 15 best-interest factors in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a), not by default preference for either parent. The statute directs courts to weigh each parent's role as caregiver, the stability of each home, the child's relationship with each parent, and each parent's willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent. Tennessee law contains no maternal presumption, so Summer Pardi's request carries no automatic advantage — the court evaluates the evidence.
Davidson County also imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period for divorces involving minor children under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-101(b), measured from the filing date. Because Summer filed May 12, 2026, the earliest possible finalization would fall in mid-August 2026, and only if a full parenting plan and property settlement are in place. Tennessee residency rules require that grounds arose in the state or that the filing spouse resided in Tennessee when the cause of action accrued; you can review these thresholds on our residency requirements explainer.
Child support in Tennessee follows the Income Shares Model under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, which combine both parents' incomes and the number of overnights each parent exercises. Parents can estimate obligations with our Tennessee child support calculator, though the court retains discretion to deviate for high-income earners — a relevant consideration given a touring musician's variable income.
Practical takeaways
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File the parenting plan early. In Tennessee, no divorce with minor children finalizes until the court approves a permanent parenting plan under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404. Drafting a plan both parents can accept shortens the timeline dramatically.
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Understand the waiting period. The 90-day clock for cases with children runs from the filing date, not the announcement date. Track your own timeline with our Tennessee divorce timeline tool.
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Document your caregiving role. Because Tennessee weighs each parent's historical caregiving under § 36-6-106(a), keep records of school pickups, medical appointments, and daily routines rather than relying on assertions.
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Budget for variable income. When one spouse earns irregular income, Tennessee courts may average earnings across years. If you expect a child support modification later, preserve income documentation from the outset.
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Prioritize a written agreement. An uncontested resolution avoids a contested best-interest trial. Reviewing the full divorce process and building a personalized divorce roadmap helps parents map next steps before disputes harden.
If you are facing a Tennessee divorce involving young children, the parenting-plan requirement makes early legal guidance especially valuable — a well-drafted plan can prevent months of litigation. You can find a divorce attorney serving your county to discuss your specific circumstances.
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.