During the pendency of a divorce, it is unlikely the Judge will allow you to take your children around your boyfriend or girlfriend. Often children are just getting used to the fact that their parents are no longer going to be together and introducing a new adult into the picture, can greatly complicate matters.

Often, however, parties ask if they can have their boyfriends or girlfriends around their children after the divorce. Most of the Wilson County, Smith County and Macon County Judges will allow them to be around your children unless their being around the children will somehow be harmful.

Are girlfriends or boyfriends allowed to spend the night when your children are present?

Look at your Parenting Plan.

Some plans or Court Orders state that you can not have unrelated overnight guests of the opposite sex present when your children are present. If your Parenting Plan states this or another Court Order states this – then the answer is NO. However, you can go back to Court to request this be changed.

If your plan does not prohibit boyfriends or girlfriends, then more than likely you are allowed to do so. (Of course, no lawyer can tell you this for sure, unless they review your actual divorce documents.)

If you choose to have overnight guests, however, in violation of the Court Order, realize you may be held in Contempt of Court.  

Understandably, after a divorce you are ready to move on with your life. And if you have been in a bad relationship, many times you are ready to be part of a better one.

However, you need to remember, that when it comes to children, our Tennessee Judges’ number one concern are the children. Abide by your Court Orders when it comes to boyfriends and girlfriends and if you need them to be changed, petition for a change and request a modification. Don’t violate them first and ask for forgiveness later.