Tennessee appeals court upholds wife's 75% share of home equity

A Tennessee appeals court upheld a trial court's $160,400 valuation of a marital home and its award of 75% of the home's equity to the wife. The ruling was filed on October 27, 2026.

The trial court found that homes offered by the husband as comparisons differed in size, condition or lot, and described his estimate as greatly inflated. The appeals court agreed that the evidence supported the lower valuation.

The wife testified that the home might be worth about $200,000 after major heating-system and roof repairs. She submitted photographs of its condition and defects. The county assessor's valuation was $160,400.

The trial court found that the wife worked throughout the marriage and was the main caregiver for their son, while the husband performed homemaking duties for about four years. The appeals court said the record did not contradict those findings.

The appeals court nevertheless vacated the $2,000 valuations assigned to the husband's artwork and tools because neither spouse supplied value evidence. It also vacated the permanent parenting plan for insufficient explanation; the current arrangement remains until a new one is entered.