Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalized their divorce in a Nashville court after nearly 20 years of marriage, with Kidman named primary residential parent of their two daughters (306 days per year to Urban's 59) and both spouses waiving alimony and child support entirely. Their settlement shows how Tennessee courts permit financially independent, high-asset parents to set support at $0 — a permitted but court-reviewed outcome under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban finalized divorce terms in court |
| When | Filed September 2025; settlement terms submitted late 2025 |
| Where | Davidson County (Nashville), Tennessee |
| Who's affected | Both spouses and their two minor daughters |
| Custody split | Kidman 306 days/year; Urban 59 days/year |
| Support | $0 alimony, $0 child support (both waived) |
| Key statutes | Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101; § 36-6-106 |
The terms were first reported by Fox News Entertainment, which detailed the parenting schedule and the absence of support payments despite the couple's substantial combined net worth.
Why This Matters Legally
The Kidman-Urban settlement demonstrates that Tennessee courts will approve $0 support arrangements between two financially independent, high-net-worth parents — but only after judicial review confirms the deal is not unconscionable and serves the children's best interests. Tennessee is not a state where wealthy spouses automatically owe alimony. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, alimony exists to address economic disadvantage, and when neither spouse is economically disadvantaged relative to the other, an award of $0 is both legal and common.
The same logic applies to child support. Tennessee uses an Income Shares model under the Child Support Guidelines, but the guidelines presumptive amount can be rebutted. When both parents earn substantial income and a near-equal financial commitment to the children exists, courts may approve deviations — including a $0 obligation — so long as the children's needs are met. This settlement illustrates the principle that high asset levels do not force a support award; financial independence on both sides removes the legal basis for one.
How Tennessee Law Handles This
Tennessee child support is governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 and the Income Shares Guidelines promulgated by the Department of Human Services. The guidelines combine both parents' gross incomes, calculate a basic support obligation based on the number of children, then apportion it by income share and parenting time. A 306/59 day split heavily favors the primary parent's time, which under the parenting-time adjustment formula reduces the alternate parent's presumptive obligation.
Custody — termed parenting arrangements in Tennessee — is decided under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106, which lists factors including each parent's role as primary caregiver, the child's developmental needs, and each parent's work schedule. Tennessee requires a permanent parenting plan in every divorce involving minor children, designating a primary residential parent and a day-count schedule. The 306/59 allocation reflects a primary-parent arrangement, common when one spouse's career (here, a film schedule) and the other's (a touring schedule) differ sharply.
For a court to approve $0 child support as a deviation from the guidelines, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101 requires written findings explaining why the deviation serves the child's best interest. Parents cannot simply agree to waive support in a vacuum — a judge must sign off, because child support is considered a right belonging to the child, not the parents.
Practical Takeaways
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Confirm support is reviewed, not just agreed. In Tennessee, a $0 child support arrangement requires court approval and written findings under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101. You cannot privately waive a child's support right without judicial sign-off.
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Document financial independence. If both spouses earn comparably and intend to waive alimony, build a clear record of each party's income and assets. This supports a $0 alimony finding under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121.
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Draft a detailed parenting plan. Tennessee mandates a permanent parenting plan specifying exact day counts (like 306/59). Vague schedules invite future disputes and modification petitions.
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Understand modification rights remain open. Even with $0 support today, either parent can later petition to modify child support if incomes change materially — support is never permanently waived for children.
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Consider the parenting-time impact on any future support. Because Tennessee's formula weights day counts, a future change in the 306/59 split could trigger a support recalculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can divorcing parents in Tennessee agree to $0 child support?
Yes, but only with court approval. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101, a judge must review any deviation from the Child Support Guidelines and issue written findings showing the $0 amount serves the children's best interest. Parents cannot privately waive a child's support right.
What does a 306/59 custody split mean in Tennessee?
A 306/59 split means the primary residential parent has the children 306 days per year and the other parent 59 days. Tennessee requires a permanent parenting plan under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 specifying exact day counts, which also affect the child support calculation.
Why did neither Kidman nor Urban receive alimony?
Tennessee alimony under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121 addresses economic disadvantage. When both spouses are financially independent, as reported here, neither qualifies as disadvantaged, so a $0 alimony award is legally appropriate regardless of total wealth.
Can $0 child support be changed later in Tennessee?
Yes. Child support is always modifiable when there is a significant variance in income or circumstances under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101. A material change — such as a shift in the parenting-time split or a parent's income — can trigger a recalculation at any time before the children turn 18.
Does high net worth require paying alimony in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee does not require wealthy spouses to pay alimony automatically. Support depends on relative economic disadvantage under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, not absolute wealth. Two high-earning spouses can each waive alimony with court approval.
Bottom Line
The Kidman-Urban settlement is a high-profile illustration of an everyday Tennessee principle: support follows need and parenting time, not headlines about net worth. If you are navigating a Tennessee divorce — whether high-asset or modest — understanding how the Income Shares Guidelines and parenting-plan requirements interact is essential to a settlement a judge will actually 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.