RaeLynn Files for Divorce in Nashville: Tennessee Custody Law Explained

Country singer RaeLynn (legal name Racheal Davis) filed for divorce from husband Joshua Davis in Davidson County Circuit Court in Nashville on July 14, 2026, citing irreconcilable differences and a June 8, 2026 separation date. The Team Blake Shelton 'The Voice' alum seeks to be named primary residential parent of their 4-year-old daughter Daisy Rae plus child support — a filing that automatically triggers Tennessee's mandatory parenting seminar and a temporary injunction under state law.

Key Facts

The news was first reported by TMZ on July 14, 2026. The couple married roughly 10 years ago, and Joshua Davis is described as an Army veteran and former financial advisor. Because the case involves a minor child, the filing is classified as a "Divorce Complaint – Child," which sets in motion specific procedural requirements that apply to every Tennessee parent, not just celebrities.

Why this matters legally

Every Tennessee divorce involving minor children automatically triggers two mandatory legal mechanisms the moment the complaint is filed: a mutual temporary injunction and a court-ordered parenting seminar. These are not discretionary. Under Tenn. Code § 36-4-106, a statutory temporary injunction takes effect against the filing spouse upon filing and against the responding spouse upon service. It prohibits both parties from transferring, hiding, or dissipating marital assets, harassing the other spouse, canceling insurance policies, or removing the child from the state without consent or a court order.

This matters because it means RaeLynn's filing instantly restricts what both spouses can do with money, property, and the child — a legal freeze designed to preserve the status quo during litigation. For any Tennessee parent, understanding the no-fault divorce framework of "irreconcilable differences" is essential: it removes the need to prove wrongdoing, but it does not remove the fights over custody and support that follow.

Tennessee also imposes a mandatory waiting period. When minor children are involved, a court cannot finalize a divorce for at least 90 days from the filing date under Tenn. Code § 36-4-101. That means even the most cooperative Nashville couple with a child cannot be divorced before roughly mid-October if they filed in mid-July. You can explore the full sequence in our overview of the divorce process.

How Tennessee law handles custody and support

Tennessee courts decide parenting arrangements using a "best interest of the child" standard, not by favoring the mother. Under Tenn. Code § 36-6-106, judges weigh at least 15 statutory factors when designating a primary residential parent and building a permanent parenting plan. These factors include each parent's role as caregiver, the strength of the child's existing relationships, each parent's willingness to encourage a bond with the other parent, and the child's stability. A parent asking to be named "primary residential parent" — as RaeLynn is — is asking the court to designate where the child primarily lives and which parent holds day-to-day decision-making, though most Tennessee plans still allocate meaningful time to both parents.

Every Tennessee divorce with a minor child requires a Permanent Parenting Plan. This document specifies a residential schedule, holiday time, decision-making authority over education and healthcare, and how disputes get resolved. Parents who cannot agree attend mandatory mediation before a judge imposes a plan. To estimate how time might be divided, parents can use our Tennessee parenting time calculator.

Child support in Tennessee follows the Income Shares Model under the state's Child Support Guidelines, codified through Tenn. Code § 36-5-101. This model combines both parents' gross incomes, determines a base support obligation from a state schedule, and then allocates that obligation between parents based on income share and the number of days the child spends with each. High earners — and a touring country artist may qualify — can see support calculated above the standard schedule when combined income exceeds the guideline cap. Parents can run preliminary numbers with our Tennessee child support calculator.

Practical takeaways

1. Expect the automatic injunction. The moment you file a divorce complaint in Tennessee, Tenn. Code § 36-4-106 freezes major financial moves and restricts relocating your child out of state. Do not close accounts, cancel insurance, or take the child across state lines without a court order.

2. Complete the parenting seminar early. Tennessee requires both parents in a divorce with minor children to attend a court-approved parenting education seminar (typically 4 hours). Finishing it promptly avoids delaying your final hearing.

3. Plan for the 90-day minimum. With a minor child, no Tennessee divorce finalizes before 90 days from filing under Tenn. Code § 36-4-101. Use our Tennessee divorce timeline tool to map realistic dates.

4. Document your caregiving role. Because primary residential parent decisions turn on the 15 best-interest factors in Tenn. Code § 36-6-106, keep records of school pickups, medical appointments, and daily caregiving. Courts reward demonstrated involvement, not assumptions.

5. Understand support can be modified later. Tennessee child support orders are not permanent. A significant variance in income or parenting time can justify revisiting the amount — learn how in our guide to child support modification.

If you are a Tennessee parent facing a similar situation, a personalized plan helps you understand your next steps before you file. Build your own personalized divorce roadmap or find a divorce attorney who handles custody and support cases in your county.

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.