Uncontested Divorce in Tennessee — Irreconcilable Differences, MDAs and Flat Fee Pricing

Tennessee allows an agreed divorce on the ground of irreconcilable differences. This guide to uncontested divorce in Tennessee explains the waiting periods, the Marital Dissolution Agreement and flat fee pricing.

When spouses agree on everything, a Tennessee divorce can finish with a short hearing after the waiting period. Consequently, accurate paperwork is the main task.

From Nashville and Memphis to Knoxville, Chattanooga and Clarksville, the law is the same. However, each county's circuit or chancery court has its own procedures.

Residency and waiting periods in Tennessee

At least one spouse must have lived in Tennessee for six months before filing, unless the grounds arose while living in Tennessee. Therefore, check residency first.

Tennessee sets waiting periods for irreconcilable differences divorces. If there are no minor children, the divorce cannot be granted until 60 days after filing. If there are minor children, the waiting period is 90 days. Consequently, families should plan for at least three months.

The Marital Dissolution Agreement

An agreed Tennessee divorce requires a written Marital Dissolution Agreement, often called an MDA. It divides property and debts and sets alimony. Furthermore, the court must find that it makes adequate and sufficient provision for the parties.

Tennessee is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily equally. Meanwhile, separate property generally stays with its owner. Our Marital Settlement Agreement service drafts a Tennessee MDA.

Retirement accounts often require a QDRO. Therefore, include them clearly.

Children, custody and support in Tennessee

If you have children, the court must approve the parenting arrangement even when you agree. Tennessee requires a Permanent Parenting Plan in cases with minor children, and parents must usually attend a parenting seminar. Courts in every state focus on the child's best interests. Consequently, specific schedules are approved more readily than vague ones.

Our parenting plan service drafts the weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks and decision-making rules. In addition, it covers exchanges, communication and how future disagreements will be handled.

Child support follows the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, an income-shares model. Our child support calculation worksheet estimates the guideline amount before you sign. As a result, there are no surprises at the final step.

The final hearing

After the waiting period, the court holds a short hearing. Usually, one spouse testifies briefly about the grounds and the agreement. Then the judge approves the MDA and parenting plan and enters the final decree.

Some counties allow agreed divorces to be heard on a simplified docket. Consequently, the hearing is often brief.

Mistakes that delay a Tennessee divorce

Several errors commonly slow Tennessee divorces. For instance, the Permanent Parenting Plan must use the required format and be signed by both parents. Missing signatures cause delays.

Another issue is the parenting seminar certificate. Many courts will not finalize the divorce without it. Similarly, the MDA must address every asset and debt. Therefore, use a complete checklist.

Flat fee divorce pricing and courts in Tennessee

Our Uncontested Divorce Documents start at $149 for Tennessee. The standard package tailors every form to your facts and county. Meanwhile, the premium package adds attorney review and extra revisions.

Court filing fees are separate and paid to the clerk. If you cannot afford them, Tennessee courts allow you to apply to waive or reduce the fees based on income. Therefore, cost should not stop you from filing.

Divorces are heard in circuit or chancery court in each county. For example, Davidson County cases are heard in Nashville, and Shelby County cases in Memphis.

For a second opinion before you file, book an uncontested divorce consultation. If your spouse has already filed, our response to divorce petition service protects your position before the deadline. For the national picture, read our flat fee uncontested divorce guide.

A realistic Tennessee timeline

First, you agree the terms and gather records. Next, the complaint, MDA and any parenting plan are filed. Then the waiting period begins: 60 days without children, or 90 days with children.

During that time, parents complete the seminar. After that, the final hearing is scheduled. Finally, the judge enters the decree. Consequently, many agreed Tennessee divorces finish within three to four months.

After your Tennessee divorce: the final checklist

The decree is not quite the finish line. Several practical steps turn the agreement into reality. Therefore, make a checklist the day the judgment is signed.

Names, licenses and records

First, if you are restoring a former name, update your Social Security record before anything else. Then update your driver's license with the Tennessee driver services, followed by banks, employers and passports. Tennessee final decrees can restore a former name, so include it before the hearing.

Property and accounts

Next, transfer the house if one spouse is keeping it. Usually, that means recording a new deed with the county Register of Deeds. In addition, the spouse keeping the home should refinance any joint mortgage by the deadline in the agreement. Meanwhile, close or separate joint bank accounts and credit cards, because creditors are not bound by your agreement.

Retirement, insurance and estate plans

After that, send any QDRO to the retirement plan administrator promptly. Delays can cost the receiving spouse money. Similarly, review health insurance: a spouse losing employer coverage may have continuation rights for a limited time. Finally, update beneficiary designations, your will and any powers of attorney. Otherwise, an ex-spouse could still inherit or make decisions for you.

Consequently, a short checklist after the decree prevents expensive problems later. If you need new estate documents, our Estate Plan Bundle covers a will, power of attorney and healthcare directive for Tennessee.

When an uncontested divorce is not right in Tennessee

An agreed divorce is not safe for everyone. For example, if there has been domestic violence, pressure to sign or hidden assets, you need advice first. Similarly, if your spouse controls the finances and you lack information, a quick settlement may be unfair.

In those situations, Tennessee law offers a contested divorce on fault or irreconcilable differences grounds instead. Therefore, book a contested divorce consultation or read our guide to contested divorce litigation. Consequently, you protect your rights before signing anything.

Our Uncontested Divorce services in Tennessee

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in Tennessee. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Uncontested Divorce across Tennessee — cities we serve

We work with clients in every part of Tennessee, entirely online. Therefore, it does not matter whether you live downtown or hours from the nearest courthouse. Your documents follow Tennessee law and your county's local practice. Choose your city below to see local details and prices.

• Nashville: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Nashville · Uncontested divorce consultation in Nashville · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Nashville
• Memphis: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Memphis · Uncontested divorce consultation in Memphis · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Memphis
• Knoxville: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Knoxville · Uncontested divorce consultation in Knoxville · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Knoxville
• Chattanooga: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Chattanooga · Uncontested divorce consultation in Chattanooga · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Chattanooga
• Clarksville: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Clarksville · Uncontested divorce consultation in Clarksville · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Clarksville
• Murfreesboro: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Murfreesboro · Uncontested divorce consultation in Murfreesboro · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Murfreesboro
• Franklin: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Franklin · Uncontested divorce consultation in Franklin · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Franklin

More Tennessee services

Uncontested divorce consultation in Tennessee · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Tennessee · Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement in Tennessee · Child Support Calculation Worksheet in Tennessee · Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in Tennessee · Response to Divorce Petition in Tennessee. See all legal services in Tennessee.

Nearby states

Moving between states, or is the other party elsewhere? We also cover Uncontested Divorce Documents in Kentucky, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Georgia, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Alabama, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Mississippi, Uncontested Divorce Documents in North Carolina. See every location we cover.

Frequently asked questions

Contact American Counsel

Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.