Contested Divorce · Nashville Office
Contested Divorce Lawyer in Nashville, TN
Wise Law handles contested divorces in Davidson County and surrounding Tennessee counties, including disputes over parenting plans, child support, alimony, and property, through temporary orders, discovery, mediation, and trial. At Wise Law, the upfront flat fee covers the case to start, and mediation, court appearances, and trial are each priced before they begin. Wise Law is the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, Louisville, Kentucky.
Contested Divorce in Tennessee: Key Facts
| Our fees | At Wise Law, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, each priced and agreed to before work on it begins. See pricing |
|---|---|
| What makes it contested | The spouses disagree on one or more issues, such as the parenting plan, child support, alimony, the house, retirement accounts, or debts |
| Court | Davidson County divorces are usually heard in Circuit Court. We also handle divorces in Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties. |
| Waiting period | At least 60 days after filing without minor children, or 90 days with minor children. Contested cases usually take longer. |
| Automatic injunctions | Once the complaint is filed and served, both spouses are generally barred from hiding, transferring, or wasting marital property and from canceling insurance |
| Property | Marital property is divided equitably, which is not always 50/50; each spouse keeps separate property |
| Alimony | Four types: rehabilitative, transitional, in futuro (periodic), and in solido (lump sum) |
| Governing law | Tenn. Code Ann. Title 36, including § 36-4-121 (property) and § 36-5-121 (alimony) |
| Handled by | Paige Redd, Managing Attorney, Nashville |
How Our Staged Fees Work in a Contested Divorce
| Stage | What it covers | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront flat fee | Opening the case, filings, disclosures, temporary orders, and negotiation | One flat fee, $1,500–$5,000 |
| Mediation | Preparing for and attending mediation | Priced before it begins, only if needed |
| Court appearances | Contested hearings, such as temporary parenting or support hearings | Priced before each begins, only if needed |
| Trial | Preparing for and trying the case | Priced before it begins, only if needed |
If your case settles early, stages that are never reached are never charged. Wise Law does not bill hourly.
How a Contested Divorce Works in Davidson County
Free phone consultation
An attorney reviews the disputed issues and quotes your upfront fee.
Complaint and answer
A complaint for divorce is filed, the other spouse is served, and the other spouse answers. The automatic injunctions take effect.
Temporary orders
The court can set a temporary parenting plan, support, use of the home, and payment of bills while the case is pending.
Discovery
Both spouses exchange financial information through document requests, written questions, and depositions.
Mediation
Contested divorces are generally sent to mediation unless excused, for example where there is domestic abuse. Most cases settle there or during negotiation.
Trial
Issues that do not settle are decided after a trial.
Final decree
The court enters the final decree of divorce, with a permanent parenting plan if there are minor children.
Credentials
- Paige Redd, managing attorney, Nashville: licensed in Tennessee since April 2020, practicing family law in the Nashville area for nearly her entire career. Read her bio
- Christopher Wise, founder of Wise & Associates: Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2023–2027; Louisville Business First 20 People to Know in Law, 2023 and 2026.
- Wise & Associates: Best Law Firm in Louisville, The Courier Journal Best of Louisville (reader-voted), Winner 2022 and 2023, Top 3 2025 and 2026. All awards
Nashville Contested Divorce Questions
How much does a contested divorce cost in Nashville?
At Wise Law, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on how much litigation is required. Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, each priced before it begins, so you know the cost of each phase in advance. The firm does not bill hourly.
How long does a contested divorce take in Tennessee?
Longer than an agreed divorce. Tennessee requires at least 60 days after filing without minor children, or 90 days with children, and contested cases then depend on the disputed issues, discovery, mediation, and the court's schedule.
Do most contested divorces go to trial?
No. Most contested divorces settle through negotiation or mediation. Trial is for the issues the spouses cannot resolve.
Is mediation required in a Tennessee divorce?
Courts generally require mediation in contested divorces, unless the parties are excused, for example where there is domestic abuse.
Can a contested divorce become agreed?
Yes. If the spouses reach agreement on every issue at any point, they can sign a marital dissolution agreement, and a permanent parenting plan if there are children, and finish without a trial.
What if my spouse refuses to agree to the divorce?
A spouse cannot stop a divorce by refusing to sign. Without an agreement, the divorce proceeds on other statutory grounds, such as inappropriate marital conduct, and the court decides the disputed issues.
Talk to a Nashville Divorce Lawyer
Consultations are free and by phone. Book a time, then call the office at your scheduled time.
Wise Law4235 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 208-9190
Wise Law is the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, Louisville, Kentucky.
Attorney advertising. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.