The Civil Case Cover Sheet lists all the information required by the court, including the names of the parties, the type of action, whether the Petitioner plans to file in forma pauperis and the type of service required.

The Complaint for Divorce identifies the parties, the nature of the action, and relief sought, including addresses, date and place of marriage, separation date, pregnancy of wife, court orders concerning children, grounds for the action, property and proposed division of assets and debts. The Complaint must be verified by the Petitioner and signed before a notary. If a Marital Dissolution Agreement or a Proposed Parenting Plan is attached to the complaint, it too must be verified before a notary.

An Amendment is filed if the Complaint must be amended, for example, if the couple reach an agreement and file a Marital Dissolution Agreement as part of an amended complaint.

The Summons gives the Respondent 30 days to file Answer after having received it and the Complaint, if the papers are served by a deputy sheriff, who returns a proof of service to the Petitioner. No Summons is required, however, if the spouses file a signed and verified Marital Dissolution Agreement with the Complaint. If the Respondent does not file an Answer within 30 days, he or she faces a default in favor of the Petitioner.

An Affidavit of Service certifies that the Summons and Complaint have been delivered to the Respondent, if the papers are served by someone other than the deputy sheriff.

The Affidavit of Indigency asserts the Petitioner's claim that he or she cannot afford the filing fees and associated costs of the action.

The Marital Dissolution Agreement, signed by both spouses, is used when both are in agreement about the terms and conditions of the division and distribution of assets and liabilities of the marriage. The agreement cannot be more than 180 days old when the judge signs the divorce decree.

The Answer, which is verified and notarized, is filed by the Respondent when he or she wishes to contest some or all of the allegations made in the Complaint. The Answer may include a Counterclaim, in which the Respondent agrees to the divorce but asserts a different ground from the one claimed by the Petitioner. At the same time, the Respondent may file a Temporary Parenting Plan, which happens when custody and visitation are undecided issues between the parties. When completed, the Answer requires a Certificate of Service, attesting to the fact that the Respondent served it on the Petitioner.

The Permanent Parenting Plan, which is signed by both parents, spells out the terms and conditions of custody and visitation when there are minor children involved in the divorce.

A Temporary Parenting Plan may be filed by either parent in contested actions. In a divorce with minor children, the Temporary Parenting Plan spells out the terms and conditions of custody and visitation on a temporary basis pending a final court order.

Both parents, within 30 days of the service of process, must attend a four-hour parenting class, after which each parent is given a Parenting Class Certificate that must be presented to the court. No form is required.

The Wage Assignment Order is required if the Parenting Plan provides for third-party collection and distribution of child support payments, as it often does.

One of three forms is used for the Final Decree. They are as follows:

> Form 410, used when the Respondent defaults and the Petitioner receives a Default Divorce;

> Form 411, used by the Petitioner and Respondent negotiate a uncontested action;

> Form 412, used when the Defendant contests the action.

The Certificate of Divorce, an official form of the Department of Health, records the action for state records. Some of the questions on this form cannot be completed until the case is over and the decree granted.

The Statutory Injunction against Both Parties prohibits the parties from removing children from the state, harassing each other and dissipating marital assets. This court order is issued in both contested and uncontested divorces.

A Motion for Default Judgment, filed by the Petitioner, which asks the court to order a default judgment against the Respondent after the 30-day period specified in the Summons has elapsed, and he or she has not filed an Answer.

The Order Granting Default Judgment orders the default judgment after the motion has been filed.

The Title IV-D Information must be filed if either parent is receiving assistance from the State of Tennessee.

The Motion for Injunctive Relief, usually filed by the Plaintiff or Petitioner, is used when protection of a spouse or child is required.

The Motion for Temporary Relief. filed by the Plaintiff of Petitioner, is used if the party needs temporary support pending the outcome of the divorce.

The Statement in Support of Motion is filed when a party needs to support grounds for another motion.

Financial Declarations may be filed in support of an allegation of financial need.

An Injunction is used by a party when he or she seek to prohibit or compel an action by the other spouse.

A Temporary Order of Relief may be sought by either party when temporary relief is required pending the outcome of the divorce.

A Subpoena may be issued in the event that the divorce requires a witness, as may be the case in contested actions.

The Witness and Exhibit Lists are furnished to the adverse party in contested actions.

The Motion form may be used for a request of the court that is not covered by any other standard form.

The Order is a form for court orders not covered by any other form.

The Motion to Set Case for Hearing, filed by the Plaintiff, sets a trial date.

The Order Setting Case for Hearing is used to order a divorce trial.