Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalized their divorce in a Nashville court in 2025 after nearly 20 years of marriage, waiving both alimony and child support entirely according to Fox News. Kidman was named primary residential parent of their two daughters, with Urban receiving parenting time every other weekend. Under Tennessee law, courts can approve such waivers—but child support waivers face a higher bar than alimony waivers.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Kidman and Urban finalized divorce; both waived alimony and child support |
| When | 2025, after nearly 20 years of marriage (married June 2006) |
| Where | Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee |
| Who's affected | Both spouses and their two minor daughters |
| Key statutes | Tenn. Code § 36-5-121 (alimony), Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 (child support) |
| Impact | Illustrates how high-asset spouses structure clean-break settlements in Tennessee |
Why this matters legally
Spouses in Tennessee can waive alimony by mutual agreement, and courts routinely approve these waivers when both parties enter them knowingly. The Kidman-Urban settlement demonstrates a "clean break" divorce, where financially independent spouses walk away without ongoing spousal support obligations. Under Tenn. Code § 36-5-121, Tennessee recognizes four types of alimony, but none is mandatory when the parties agree to forgo support.
Child support, however, is treated differently. Tennessee law considers child support a right belonging to the child, not the parents, so a court retains authority to review any waiver. When two high-earning parents share custody and each can independently provide for the children, a judge may approve a support waiver that serves the children's best interests. This settlement reflects that specific circumstance—two financially secure parents—rather than a general rule that support can simply be waived.
How Tennessee law handles this
Tennessee calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under Tenn. Code § 36-5-101 and the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. This model combines both parents' gross incomes, then allocates a support obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of that combined income and the number of days each parent spends with the children.
Because child support belongs to the child, Tennessee courts must find that any deviation—including a full waiver—remains in the children's best interests. Rule 1240-02-04-.07 of the Tennessee Guidelines permits deviations from the presumptive amount when the court makes written findings explaining why the guideline figure would be unjust or inappropriate. A judge approving a zero-support arrangement between two wealthy parents would document that both parents have the resources to meet the children's needs during their respective parenting time.
On parenting arrangements, Tennessee requires a Permanent Parenting Plan under Tenn. Code § 36-6-404 for every divorce involving minor children. The plan designates a primary residential parent, sets a residential schedule (Kidman as primary, Urban every other weekend), and allocates decision-making authority. Tennessee uses the term "primary residential parent" rather than "custody," and the every-other-weekend schedule described in the reporting is one of the most common arrangements Tennessee courts approve.
Alimony waivers require no special best-interest finding because spousal support protects the spouses, not the children. When both parties are represented and agree, Tennessee courts approve alimony waivers as a matter of contract between competent adults. The 20-year marriage length would ordinarily support a long-term alimony award under Tenn. Code § 36-5-121, which lists marriage duration as a key factor—but two financially independent spouses can contract around that presumption.
Practical takeaways
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Alimony can be waived by agreement in Tennessee, even after a long marriage. If both spouses are financially independent, a court will generally approve a mutual waiver under Tenn. Code § 36-5-121 without requiring either party to demonstrate hardship.
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Child support waivers face judicial review. Because support belongs to the child, a Tennessee judge must find the arrangement serves the children's best interests before approving a zero-support plan. Document both parents' ability to provide.
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Every divorce with minor children requires a Permanent Parenting Plan. Under Tenn. Code § 36-6-404, the plan must designate a primary residential parent, set a residential schedule, and allocate decision-making authority—there is no divorce decree without it.
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Understand the Income Shares Model before negotiating. Tennessee combines both parents' incomes and allocates support proportionally. Run the numbers using a Tennessee child support calculator before agreeing to any deviation.
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A clean-break settlement works best when both parties are represented. High-asset divorces that waive support are typically negotiated with independent counsel on each side, ensuring the agreement is enforceable and knowingly entered.
If you are navigating a Tennessee divorce and weighing whether to waive support, understanding how the Income Shares Model and Permanent Parenting Plan requirements apply to your situation can help you negotiate from an informed position. A local Tennessee family law attorney can review your specific circumstances and explain what a court is likely to approve.
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.