Tennessee Divorce · Nashville Office
Divorce Lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee
Wise Law, the Nashville office of Wise & Associates, handles agreed and contested divorce in Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties. In Tennessee, an agreed divorce on irreconcilable differences has a waiting period of 60 days without minor children and 90 days with minor children. Upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000.
Tennessee Divorce: Key Facts
| How it starts | Complaint for divorce |
|---|---|
| Grounds | Irreconcilable differences (no-fault), or fault grounds set out in Tennessee law |
| Residency | If the grounds arose outside Tennessee, one spouse must have lived in Tennessee for six months before filing |
| Waiting period | Agreed divorce: 60 days without minor children, 90 days with minor children |
| Agreements | Marital dissolution agreement; permanent parenting plan if there are minor children |
| Property | Marital property is divided equitably; each spouse keeps separate property |
| Alimony | Rehabilitative, transitional, in futuro, or in solido |
| Davidson County courts | Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the case type |
| Governing law | Tenn. Code Ann. Title 36 |
| Our fees | Upfront flat fees $1,500–$5,000; mediation, court appearances, and trial priced separately before each begins. See pricing |
| Handled by | Paige Redd, Managing Attorney, Nashville |
Agreed vs. Contested Divorce in Tennessee
| Agreed (irreconcilable differences) | Contested | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | Spouses agree on all issues | Spouses disagree on one or more issues |
| Key documents | Marital dissolution agreement and, with minor children, a permanent parenting plan | Issues are negotiated, mediated, or decided by the judge |
| Earliest final decree | After the 60-day or 90-day waiting period | Usually longer, depending on the issues and the court's schedule |
| Our fees | Upfront flat fee | Upfront flat fee, plus separately priced stages if mediation, court appearances, or trial are needed |
How a Tennessee Divorce Works
Free phone consultation
An attorney reviews your situation and quotes your upfront fee.
Complaint for divorce
The case begins when a complaint for divorce is filed. In Davidson County, it is filed in Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the case type.
Service and answer
The other spouse is formally served and has the opportunity to file an answer.
Agreements
In an agreed divorce, the spouses sign a marital dissolution agreement and, if they have minor children, a permanent parenting plan.
Mediation or hearing
Cases that do not settle go to mediation or to a hearing before the judge.
Final decree
The court enters the final decree after the waiting period has passed and all issues are resolved.
Tennessee Divorce Questions
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Nashville?
At Wise Law, upfront flat fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the case type and how much litigation is required. The firm does not bill hourly, and the first consultation is free.
How long does a divorce take in Tennessee?
An agreed divorce on irreconcilable differences cannot be finalized until the complaint has been on file for 60 days without minor children, or 90 days with minor children. Contested cases usually take longer, depending on the issues and the court's schedule.
What is a marital dissolution agreement?
A marital dissolution agreement is the written agreement spouses sign in an agreed Tennessee divorce. It covers property, debt, and alimony. If there are minor children, the spouses also sign a permanent parenting plan.
What is a permanent parenting plan?
A permanent parenting plan is the court order that sets each parent's residential time and decision-making for the children, and names the primary residential parent.
Which court handles divorce in Davidson County?
Divorces in Davidson County are filed in Circuit Court or Chancery Court, depending on the case type.
Talk to a Nashville Divorce Lawyer
Consultations are free and by phone. Book a time, then call the office at your scheduled time.