Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalized their divorce in a Nashville court after nearly 20 years of marriage, with Davidson County Judge Stephanie J. Williams approving terms that include zero alimony for either spouse, $0 monthly child support, a 306-to-59-day parenting split favoring Kidman, and a mutual non-disparagement clause. For Tennessee residents, the settlement is a textbook example of how high-net-worth couples resolve support and custody by private agreement under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Kidman and Urban finalized their divorce settlement |
| When | Filed and approved in autumn 2025, after ~19.5 years of marriage |
| Where | Davidson County (Nashville), Tennessee |
| Who approved it | Judge Stephanie J. Williams |
| Support terms | $0 alimony (both waived), $0 child support |
| Custody split | Kidman 306 days / Urban 59 days with their two daughters |
The details were reported by Fox News and Parade, drawing on the couple's court filings. Because Tennessee makes most divorce filings part of the public record, the numbers here — 306 versus 59 parenting days, $0 support both ways — come straight from the approved marital dissolution agreement rather than speculation.
Why this matters legally
This settlement confirms that Tennessee courts will approve a divorce with zero support obligations when both spouses knowingly waive them and the arrangement protects the children. Under Tennessee law, spouses can contract around alimony entirely, and two financially independent adults — like a global film star and a chart-topping musician — routinely do. The waiver is enforceable because both parties had the means, information, and (almost certainly) counsel to make an informed choice.
Child support is different in one crucial respect: it belongs to the children, not the parents, so a court is not automatically bound by a $0 figure the way it is by an alimony waiver. Tennessee applies an income-shares model, and a judge must find that a deviation below the guideline amount still serves the children's best interests. When both parents have comparable resources and each covers the kids' needs during their own parenting time, a $0 order is legally defensible. Judge Williams's approval signals that the financial picture justified the deviation.
The 306/59 split also illustrates that Tennessee parenting plans are built around real logistics — here, a touring musician's schedule — not a rigid 50/50 default. The law prioritizes stability and the child's routine over mathematical symmetry.
How Tennessee law handles this
Tennessee divorce runs on a handful of specific statutes that this settlement puts on display. Property and support agreements are governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121, which directs courts to divide marital property equitably — not necessarily equally — and lets spouses reach their own binding division by agreement.
Alimony is authorized under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, which recognizes four types of spousal support and lists factors such as each spouse's earning capacity, the marriage's duration, and the standard of living. Critically, the statute permits spouses to waive alimony outright, which is exactly what Kidman and Urban did. After a nearly 20-year marriage, a court could have considered long-term support — but two high earners with independent careers had no need for it, and the spousal support waiver was mutual.
Child support follows Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 and the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, which use both parents' incomes and the number of parenting days to calculate a presumptive amount. A judge can order a deviation — including down to $0 — but must state in writing why the deviation serves the children. Parenting plans themselves are required under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404, which mandates a residential schedule designating a primary residential parent; Kidman's 306 days made her the primary residential parent by a wide margin.
Finally, Tennessee requires a filing spouse to meet residency requirements before a court can hear the case, and most modern dissolutions proceed as no-fault divorce actions based on irreconcilable differences — the cleanest path for a settled, high-net-worth couple that wants privacy and speed.
Practical takeaways
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You can waive alimony — but do it with eyes open. A support waiver under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121 is generally permanent and hard to undo. If you give up alimony today, you usually cannot come back for it later, even if your finances change. Model the long-term cost before signing.
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A $0 child support order is possible, not automatic. Because support belongs to the children, a Tennessee judge must independently approve any deviation below guideline. Document how each parent covers the kids' needs, and expect the court to scrutinize the arrangement more closely than an alimony waiver. Run the numbers first with a tool like our alimony estimator for Tennessee.
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Build the parenting plan around real life. The 306/59 split worked because it matched a touring schedule while keeping the children's home base stable. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-404, your plan should reflect your actual work, travel, and school commitments — not an aspirational calendar you cannot keep.
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Consider a non-disparagement clause. The couple's mutual 'no bad-mouthing' provision is common in high-conflict-risk cases and is enforceable in Tennessee as a contract term. It protects the children and can reduce future litigation.
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Understand the difference between waiving support and modifying it. Alimony is often non-modifiable once waived, but child support and parenting arrangements can generally be revisited when circumstances change substantially. Learn how child support modification works before assuming any number is locked forever.
Most Tennessee divorces never involve tour buses or red carpets, but the legal machinery is identical whether you are splitting a modest home or a nine-figure estate. The divorce process rewards spouses who negotiate a clear, well-documented agreement over those who fight it out in court — and it works best when you understand your rights before you sign.
If you are facing a Tennessee divorce and wondering how support, custody, or property division might apply to your situation, a personalized starting point can help. Build your own personalized divorce roadmap to map out the steps ahead, or find a divorce attorney in your county to talk through the specifics.
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.