Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (2026)

Child custody

✓ current as of May 2026
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Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 799,s 2, eff. 4/23/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 799,s 1, eff. 4/23/2024.

Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 671, s 1, eff. 3/18/2022.

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 235, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1074, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.

Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 617, s 4, eff. 7/1/2014.

Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 220, s 1, eff. 7/1/2013.

Acts 1995, ch. 428, § 2; 1998, ch. 1003, § 1; 1998, ch. 1095, §§ 2, 3; 2000, ch. 683, § 2; 2007 , ch. 245, §§ 1 - 3; 2011 , ch. 433, § 1; 2012 , ch. 897, § 1.


Notes of Decisions
Cited in 783 cases (128 in the last 5 years), 1994–2026 · leading case: C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017).
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). · cites it 28× “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
Andrew K. Armbrister v. Melissa H. Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2013). · cites it 23× “2007) (recognizing that the statutory criteria relevant to the residential schedule overlap with, and somewhat expand upon, the factors set out in section 36-6-106 relevant to determining custody); Dobbs v.”
In Re Baby, 447 S.W.3d 807 (Tenn. 2014). · cites it 36× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(1)–(15). This statutory language reflects a recent amendment to section 36-6-106(a) that took effect on July 1, 2014.”
Kendrick v. Shoemake, 90 S.W.3d 566 (Tenn. 2002). · cites it 16× “" A majority of this Court has concluded that a best interests analysis, including the factors set forth in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106, should be used to determine the propriety of a modification of child custody.”
Terri Ann Kelly v. Willard Reed Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2014). · cites it 12× “In making its decision, the trial court explicitly relied on Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 . The trial court found six of the ten TenmCode Ann.”
Hannah Ann Culbertson v. Randall Eric Culbertson, 455 S.W.3d 107 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 21× “; see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(5). The concept of limited waiver was also discussed in a post-divorce California case, Trepeck v.”
Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 15× ““The determination of custody should always be made upon the basis of the best interest of the child, and in accordance with the factors set out in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and Tenn.Code Ann.”
Courtney P. Brunetz v. Neil A. Brunetz, 573 S.W.3d 173 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 13× “Compare Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a), with Tenn.”
Keisling v. Keisling, 196 S.W.3d 703 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 9× “The relevant factors set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-6-106 have been considered at length.”
In Re Audrey S., 182 S.W.3d 838 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “, Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a) (2001) (divorce and other proceedings); Tenn.”
Blair v. Badenhope, 77 S.W.3d 137 (Tenn. 2002). · cites it 4× “Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (2001). Blair offers a loving, stable home, and the bonds between him and his daughter have increased substantially in the years since Joy's birth.”
Cranston v. Combs, 106 S.W.3d 641 (Tenn. 2003). · cites it 6× “Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106. In short, the statutory scheme and our decision in Kendrick provide a flexible framework within which a trial court may consider a number of factors in determining whether to modify a custody decree.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(1) — 1 case
Hardin v. Hardin, 979 S.W.2d 314 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(10) — 9 cases
Placencia v. Placencia, 3 S.W.3d 497 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999).
In re T.C.D., 261 S.W.3d 734 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
In Re Tcd, 261 S.W.3d 734 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
Dayne O 'Bannon v. Stephanie O'Bannon (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(13) — 1 case
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(15) — 1 case
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(2) — 2 cases
Gaskill v. Gaskill, 936 S.W.2d 626 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996).
Daniel J. Velez v. Christy M. Velez (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(4) — 3 cases
Tammy Kemp v. Thomas Michael Hale (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999).
Daniel J. Velez v. Christy M. Velez (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012).
Dayne O 'Bannon v. Stephanie O'Bannon (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(5) — 1 case
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(6) — 1 case
Ruthie Curbow v. James Stucki (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(7) — 5 cases
Hardin v. Hardin, 979 S.W.2d 314 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998).
Perez v. Perez, 767 So. 2d 513 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000).
Ruthie Curbow v. James Stucki (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003).
Lorrie Barnes v. Richard Barnes (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
Christopher v. Sockwell (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(8) — 35 cases
Gaskill v. Gaskill, 936 S.W.2d 626 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996).
Keisling v. Keisling, 196 S.W.3d 703 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). “The relevant factors set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-6-106 have been considered at length.”
Chaffin v. Ellis, 211 S.W.3d 264 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006).
Steen v. Steen, 61 S.W.3d 324 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
Smith v. Smith, 165 S.W.3d 279 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(9) — 2 cases
Marlow v. Parkinson, 236 S.W.3d 744 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a) — 267 cases
Andrew K. Armbrister v. Melissa H. Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2013). “2007) (recognizing that the statutory criteria relevant to the residential schedule overlap with, and somewhat expand upon, the factors set out in section 36-6-106 relevant to determining custody); Dobbs v.”
In Re Baby, 447 S.W.3d 807 (Tenn. 2014). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(1)–(15). This statutory language reflects a recent amendment to section 36-6-106(a) that took effect on July 1, 2014.”
In Re Audrey S., 182 S.W.3d 838 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005). “, Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a) (2001) (divorce and other proceedings); Tenn.”
Courtney P. Brunetz v. Neil A. Brunetz, 573 S.W.3d 173 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “Compare Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a), with Tenn.”
Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). ““The determination of custody should always be made upon the basis of the best interest of the child, and in accordance with the factors set out in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and Tenn.Code Ann.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(1) — 57 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
Andrew K. Armbrister v. Melissa H. Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2013). “2007) (recognizing that the statutory criteria relevant to the residential schedule overlap with, and somewhat expand upon, the factors set out in section 36-6-106 relevant to determining custody); Dobbs v.”
In Re Baby, 447 S.W.3d 807 (Tenn. 2014). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(1)–(15). This statutory language reflects a recent amendment to section 36-6-106(a) that took effect on July 1, 2014.”
In Re Ckg, 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005).
Jamie M. Cooper v. Bradley Cooper (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(10) — 19 cases
Terri Ann Kelly v. Willard Reed Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2014). “In making its decision, the trial court explicitly relied on Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 . The trial court found six of the ten TenmCode Ann.”
Johnson v. Johnson, 165 S.W.3d 640 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004).
Byars v. Young, 327 S.W.3d 42 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2010).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(11) — 8 cases
C.D.B. v. A.B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018).
In Re Jonathan S. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(12) — 4 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
In Re McKenzie Z. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(13) — 3 cases
In Re Aiden W.-L. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
In Re Lyric N. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(14) — 5 cases
In Re A'Jayi A. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).
Delvon Paden v. Kyrstyen Davison (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(15) — 2 cases
Bruce Gillam v. Destiny Ballew (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020).
Rosalynn Addis v. Ryan Keith Addis (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(16) — 1 case
In Re Brayleigh C. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(2) — 20 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
In Re: Autumn B. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(3) — 8 cases
Andrew K. Armbrister v. Melissa H. Armbrister, 414 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2013). “2007) (recognizing that the statutory criteria relevant to the residential schedule overlap with, and somewhat expand upon, the factors set out in section 36-6-106 relevant to determining custody); Dobbs v.”
In Re Sidney J., 313 S.W.3d 772 (Tenn. 2010).
Delvon Paden v. Kyrstyen Davison (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(4) — 10 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
In Re Lennon R. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2019).
Edna Gergel v. James Gergel (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(5) — 15 cases
Hannah Ann Culbertson v. Randall Eric Culbertson, 455 S.W.3d 107 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2014). “; see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(5). The concept of limited waiver was also discussed in a post-divorce California case, Trepeck v.”
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). ““The determination of custody should always be made upon the basis of the best interest of the child, and in accordance with the factors set out in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and Tenn.Code Ann.”
In Re Lennon R. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2019).
Hollie Cherry v. Lori Christine Moss (Tenn. Ct. App. 2024).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(6) — 12 cases
In Re McKenzie Z. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018).
In Re Gracelyn H. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(7) — 16 cases
Shofner v. Shofner, 181 S.W.3d 703 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005).
Pippin v. Pippin, 277 S.W.3d 398 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008).
Terri Ann Kelly v. Willard Reed Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2014). “In making its decision, the trial court explicitly relied on Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 . The trial court found six of the ten TenmCode Ann.”
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(8) — 24 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). ““The determination of custody should always be made upon the basis of the best interest of the child, and in accordance with the factors set out in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and Tenn.Code Ann.”
Marlow v. Parkinson, 236 S.W.3d 744 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
Desiree M. Beyer v. Erik A. Beyer, 428 S.W.3d 59 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2013).
In Re Caleb L.C., 362 S.W.3d 581 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2011).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(9) — 12 cases
C.W.H. v. L.A.S., 538 S.W.3d 488 (Tenn. 2017). “2013) ; that the Court of Appeals applied the incorrect version of the statute governing the requisite best interest analysis, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 ; and that the appellate court erred in mandating an immediate change of custody without allowing Father an opportunity…”
Lorrie Lisa Crowe v. Kyle Eric Crowe (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(a)(l) — 5 cases
Terri Ann Kelly v. Willard Reed Kelly, 445 S.W.3d 685 (Tenn. 2014). “In making its decision, the trial court explicitly relied on Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 . The trial court found six of the ten TenmCode Ann.”
In re C.K.G., 173 S.W.3d 714 (Tenn. 2005).
Burden v. Burden, 250 S.W.3d 899 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). ““The determination of custody should always be made upon the basis of the best interest of the child, and in accordance with the factors set out in Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and Tenn.Code Ann.”
In Re Baby, 447 S.W.3d 807 (Tenn. 2014). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 (a)(1)–(15). This statutory language reflects a recent amendment to section 36-6-106(a) that took effect on July 1, 2014.”
McDonough v. McDonough, 499 S.W.3d 401 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2016).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(b) — 3 cases
In re S.L.M., 207 S.W.3d 288 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006).
In Re Slm, 207 S.W.3d 288 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106(b)(1)(a) — 1 case
In Re Christian S. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018).
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