In Tennessee, divorce mediation is required in most contested situations. The courts require that divorcing spouses mediate their issues to resolve or narrow the issues prior to a trial. In child custody disputes parents must usually attend mediation to attempt to reach agreement on a temporary parenting plan that deals with the parenting while the divorce is pending in the court. Upon request from one of the parents, the court may delay a divorce action to allow for reconciliation. [Tennessee Code Annotated; Volume 6A, Title 36, 36-4-126, 36-4-130, and 36-6-101].

There is no mandatory counseling in Tennessee.

When cases involve child custody, the court may order one or both parents to attend a four-hour parenting seminar on the effects of divorce on children.