By J. Ryan Johnson, Nashville Divorce & Family Law Attorney
Let’s be real: divorce is hard enough. But what happens when you’re not just fighting for your future — you’re also raising your grandkids?
That’s exactly what happened to Lanora Henry, a Tennessee woman who found herself in the middle of a divorce after 40 years of marriage, while also caring for her three grandchildren. Her case recently made its way to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and the outcome offers some powerful lessons for anyone in a similar situation.
If you’re a Nashville woman navigating divorce while raising grandkids, this one’s for you.
The Backstory: A Grandmother, a Divorce, and a House Full of Kids
Lanora and Jeffrey Henry were married for four decades. In 2017, they moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, and bought a five-bedroom home. The plan? Their daughter and her three children would move in with them.
But life had other plans.
Their daughter stayed in Chicago, and due to safety concerns, Lanora and Jeffrey took in all three grandchildren. Lanora eventually gained legal custody of the oldest and physical custody of all three.
Fast forward to 2023: the couple filed for divorce. And that’s when things got complicated.
The House: More Than Just Property
During the divorce, the biggest point of contention was the marital home — the same home where Lanora was raising her grandkids.
The house was appraised at $440,000, with about $217,000 in equity. Lanora initially said she was open to selling it. But at trial, she changed her mind. Why?
Because she needed that house. It was the only way to keep her grandkids stable and safe.
Jeffrey, on the other hand, wanted to keep the house for himself — or at least buy Lanora out. But the court saw things differently.
The Court’s Take: Equity Isn’t Always 50/50
The trial court awarded Lanora the house, but with a twist: she could keep it until she turned 64½, at which point she’d have to sell or refinance and pay Jeffrey $50,000 — a fraction of the home’s equity.
Why the imbalance?
The court looked at Tennessee’s property division law (T.C.A. § 36-4-121) and considered several key factors:
• Length of the marriage: 40 years.
• Earning capacity: Jeffrey made significantly more than Lanora.
• Contributions: While Jeffrey was the primary earner, Lanora contributed financially and supported his career.
• Future financial potential: Jeffrey had more ability to acquire assets post-divorce.
• Dissipation of assets: The court found Jeffrey had improperly transferred a Mercedes to his mother to keep it from being divided.
But the biggest factor?
The court emphasized that Jeffrey didn’t need a big house. He lived alone and traveled often. Lanora, on the other hand, needed space and stability for the kids.
Alimony: A Balancing Act
The court also awarded alimony in future — long-term spousal support — to Lanora:
• $1,500/month for the first five years.
• Then $900/month after that.
But here’s the kicker: the judge said he would’ve awarded more alimony if Lanora hadn’t been given the house. In other words, the property division and alimony were balanced together to create a fair outcome.
What This Means for You
If you’re a grandparent raising grandchildren and facing divorce in Tennessee, here are some key takeaways:
1. Your caregiving role matters.
The court recognized that Lanora’s role as a caregiver for her grandkids was a major reason she needed the house. If you’re in a similar situation, make sure your attorney highlights this.
2. Property division isn’t always 50/50.
Tennessee courts divide marital property equitably, not necessarily equally. That means the court can give one spouse more if it’s fair — especially when kids or grandkids are involved.
3. Alimony and property division go hand-in-hand.
Judges often balance these two. If you get more property, you might get less alimony — and vice versa.
Nashville Divorce Help for Grandparents
At The Law Office of J. Ryan Johnson, PLLC, we understand that divorce isn’t one-size-fits-all — especially when you’re raising grandkids, managing a household, and trying to protect your future.
We’ve helped clients just like Lanora:
• Secure the home they need to raise their grandkids.
• Fight for fair alimony and property division.
Call us today for a consultation. Let’s talk about your story — and how we can help you write the next chapter.
