The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court's decision to award alimony and attorney's fees to Terra Lynn Thompson in her divorce from Justin Claude Thompson. The ruling, issued on May 29, 2026, comes after a lengthy legal battle following their separation after more than 16 years of marriage. The court's decision impacts not only the parties involved but also sets a precedent for how alimony is calculated in future divorce cases.
The dispute began when Terra filed for divorce, citing significant financial disparities between her and Justin. Terra had primarily been a stay-at-home parent during their marriage, while Justin worked as a business manager for a masonry company, earning a significantly higher income. The court's ruling addresses issues of income calculation, alimony types, and the awarding of attorney's fees, which are critical in divorce proceedings.
Background
Terra Lynn Thompson and Justin Claude Thompson were married for over 16 years and had three minor children at the time of their divorce filing. Terra had dedicated much of her time to raising their children, while Justin had built a successful career as a business manager. The couple's differing financial situations became a focal point in their divorce proceedings.
As the divorce unfolded, Justin contested the trial court's decisions regarding alimony, claiming that the court miscalculated his income and erroneously excluded certain evidence. He also argued that the affidavit submitted by Terra's attorney for fees was insufficient. The case reached the Tennessee Court of Appeals after Justin appealed the trial court's decisions.
The Ruling
The Tennessee Court of Appeals, led by Judge Jeffrey Usman, affirmed the trial court's decisions regarding alimony and attorney's fees. The court found that the trial court had properly calculated Justin's income by averaging his earnings over several years, rather than accepting his claim of a significantly lower income. The court stated, "Husband's asserted gross monthly income of only $12,000.58 was, therefore, unreasonably low."
Additionally, the court upheld the trial court's decision to exclude an unsigned letter from evidence that Justin claimed would have altered the court's view of his income. The trial court had deemed the letter unauthenticated and ruled that Justin failed to disclose relevant information in a timely manner. The court noted that the trial court had determined, "Husband was certainly on inquiry notice to the very least as early as December of 2024 that the compensation information that he had disclosed in discovery needed to be supplemented."
Impact
The ruling has significant implications for future divorce cases in Tennessee, particularly regarding the calculation of alimony and the treatment of income. The court's decision to average Justin's income over several years reinforces the idea that trial courts can consider historical earnings when determining financial obligations in divorce cases.
Moreover, the court's findings regarding the credibility of the witnesses played a crucial role in the outcome. The trial court found Terra's testimony to be "detailed, compelling, and highly credible," while deeming Justin's testimony less credible. This distinction highlights the importance of witness credibility in divorce proceedings, particularly when financial matters are at stake.
What's Next
Justin may seek further legal options, including a potential appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court. However, the court's ruling provides a strong foundation for the trial court's decisions, making it challenging for Justin to overturn the findings. There are no related cases pending that would directly impact this ruling.