An uncontested divorce in Tennessee is usually filed on the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences. It requires both spouses to sign a marital dissolution agreement (MDA) covering property, debts, and alimony, and, if they have minor children, a permanent parenting plan. The complaint must be on file for at least 60 days without minor children, or 90 days with minor children, before the divorce can be finalized. For Nashville residents, the case is filed in Davidson County Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the case type.
Step 1: Confirm you qualify
- Residency: if the grounds for divorce arose outside Tennessee, one spouse must have lived in Tennessee for six months before filing.
- Grounds: irreconcilable differences is Tennessee's no-fault ground. Neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing.
- Agreement: both spouses must agree on every issue and sign the MDA. If you cannot agree, the case proceeds as a contested divorce. Read the contested divorce timeline.
Step 2: Reach a marital dissolution agreement
The MDA is the written agreement at the center of an uncontested Tennessee divorce. It should address:
- Property: the home, vehicles, bank and retirement accounts, and personal property. Tennessee divides marital property equitably, and each spouse keeps separate property.
- Debts: who pays the mortgage, car loans, and credit cards.
- Alimony: whether either spouse will pay it, which type, how much, and for how long, or that both spouses waive it. Read how alimony works in Tennessee.
- Retirement accounts: dividing a 401(k) or pension usually requires a separate court order. The MDA should say how that will happen.
The court must find that the MDA makes adequate and sufficient provision for an equitable settlement of the spouses' property before it will approve the divorce.
Step 3: If you have children, agree on a permanent parenting plan
Every Tennessee divorce with minor children requires a permanent parenting plan. It sets:
- The residential schedule, and which parent is the primary residential parent
- Decision-making for education, healthcare, and religion
- Child support, calculated under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, with a worksheet
- Holidays, vacations, and how future disputes will be handled
Tennessee also generally requires divorcing parents of minor children to attend a parent education seminar. Compare custody rules in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Step 4: File the complaint
One spouse files a complaint for divorce in the county where either spouse lives. In Davidson County, divorces are filed in Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the case type. The signed MDA, and the parenting plan if there are children, are filed with the court. The other spouse must receive formal notice or accept it.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has approved plain-language forms for uncontested divorces, available through the Tennessee courts website.
Step 5: Wait out the waiting period
The complaint must be on file for at least:
- 60 days if there are no minor children
- 90 days if there are minor children
The divorce cannot be finalized before the waiting period ends, even if everything else is done.
Step 6: Final hearing and decree
After the waiting period, the case is typically finalized at a brief final hearing, where the judge reviews the MDA and parenting plan. If the judge approves them, the court enters the final decree of divorce, which incorporates the agreements and makes them enforceable. A spouse who wants to return to a former name can request it.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Tennessee?
The minimum is 60 or 90 days from filing, depending on whether you have minor children. After that, the timeline depends on the court's schedule for the final hearing and how quickly the paperwork is completed.
Do you need a lawyer?
Not always. But an MDA and parenting plan are difficult to change later, especially the property division, so many spouses have a lawyer draft or review them. That matters most when there are children, a house, retirement accounts, or alimony. Read the benefits of hiring a family lawyer.
What does it cost?
At Wise Law, the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, fees are staged flat fees, never hourly. Upfront fees range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the case type and how much litigation is required. An uncontested divorce is generally at the lower end, and the attorney will quote your exact fee during a free consultation. See how pricing works.
Talk to a Nashville divorce lawyer
Consultations are free and by phone. Book a time on the Nashville calendar, then call (615) 208-9190 at your scheduled time.
Wise Law serves Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties. Tennessee divorce · Tennessee FAQ