how to file for a divorce in tennessee without an attorney

To start a divorce action in Tennessee without a lawyer, the spouse initiating the case, called the plaintiff, shall complete the divorce forms required in a particular case and file them with Circuit Court, Chancery Court, or General Sessions Court, depending on the county.

Full Answer

How do I get a divorce in Tennessee?

If you are still thinking you might file for divorce without a lawyer, consider buying and reading my book: The Tennessee Divorce Client’s Handbook. It’s easy to read and understand. Originally, I wrote this book for my clients. It introduces legal terms, basic Tennessee divorce law and family court procedure.

Can you get an agreed divorce without a lawyer in Tennessee?

Jan 31, 2019 · Step 1: Starting your tn divorce. Preparing the Documents. To file for divorce in Tennessee, you must fill out the necessary forms, which you can get on the Tennessee court website or you can also get hard copies from the local court. Some of the forms need to be signed by you or/and your spouse in front of the notary public.

How do I file for divorce in Texas without a lawyer?

Online Divorce in Tennessee. 100% Court Approval Guarantee. Best price $139. File for a divorce without an attorney in the State of Tennessee. Use the Tennessee Online Divorce assistance service to prepare documents for your uncontested divorce and get filled-out papers that only need to be signed.

Is Tennessee a no-fault state for divorce?

Divorce without a lawyer in Tennessee. It is possible to get a divorce without a lawyer. Divorce without the participation of a lawyer is called Pro Se Divorce. It is a Latin expression that translates as "on her or his own.” Depending on which county the interested person lives in, the divorce process in the state of Tennessee can vary.

Can you file your own divorce in Tennessee?

Getting Help Filing Your Tennessee Divorce If you're getting an agreed divorce and you'd like to DIY your divorce, you can use either the forms for an agreed divorce with children or the forms for an agreed divorce without children.

How much does it cost to file divorce papers in Tennessee?

How Much Are Divorce Filing Fees in Tennessee? Filing fees for a civil case in Tennessee (called a complaint for divorce) are $184 to $301. The costs change based on whether you have children and if the sheriff serves the papers to your ex.Jul 15, 2020

How do I file an uncontested divorce in Tennessee?

How to File an Uncontested Divorce in TennesseeMake Certain You Meet the Requirements. To file for an agreed divorce, you must meet several requirements, including: ... Fill Out the Universal Forms for an Agreed Divorce. ... File the Forms with the Court. ... Wait at Least 60 Days. ... Attend the Hearing.

What forms do I need to file for divorce in Tennessee?

The forms needed to file for Tennessee divorce are a Complaint for Divorce, Summons, a spouses' personal information form, and any other form required by your local court.

How fast can you get a divorce in Tennessee?

Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated 36-4-101, the absolute quickest that you can get divorced in Tennessee is 60 days after you file the complaint at the courthouse requesting a divorce.Sep 17, 2019

Are online divorces legal in Tennessee?

Unfortunately the State of Tennessee does not offer forms online to complete your divorce process. You will need to obtain any additional documents necessary to commence your divorce from your local county clerk's office.

Who pays for a divorce in Tennessee?

Thus, in many divorce cases, the court will order one spouse to pay the other spouse's legal fees. If you intend to end your marriage, it is in your best interest to consult a skillful Tennessee divorce attorney to discuss whether your spouse may be responsible for your legal fees.Feb 18, 2020

How do I start the divorce process?

A divorce starts with a divorce petition. The petition is written by one spouse (the petitioner) and served on the other spouse. The petition is then filed in a state court in the county where one of the spouses resides. It does not matter where the marriage occurred.Jul 9, 2021

Can you divorce without going to court?

It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.Apr 26, 2018

Do I have to go to court for uncontested divorce?

The Divorce Process In order to get divorced, there is generally no need to go to court at all. ... In an uncontested divorce therefore, whilst it is not possible to get divorced without the court, it is extremely rare to have to go to court in order to get divorced.

How do I start a divorce in Tennessee?

How to File for Divorce in Tennessee1) Complete the Divorce Complaint. The first step in filing for divorce in Tennessee is completing the Complaint for Divorce form. ... 2) File the Forms. ... 3) Serve Your Spouse. ... 4) Settlement or Discovery. ... 5) Attend Parenting Class. ... 5) Continued Settlement Efforts or Divorce Trial.Aug 17, 2020

Where do I get divorce papers in Tennessee?

The forms are available online at tn.courts.gov:Divorce Forms with NO Kids (Word Version)Divorce Forms with NO Kids (PDF Version)Aug 5, 2021

Can you get a divorce without a lawyer?

Yes, you can get a divorce without a lawyer. Most people do not use a lawyer when they are getting a divorce. This is especially the case when the divorce is reasonably straightforward. ... However, a divorce order only ends your marriage. It does not include arrangements for your children or your finances.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Tennessee?

separate assets or property; standard of living during the marriage; contributions as a homemaker, help with the other spouse's training, education, or increased earning capacity of your spouse; fault in contributing to the divorce; and.

How long do you have to be separated before getting divorced?

If you are divorcing on the grounds of separation, then you and your spouse will need to have been separated for at least two years if you both agree to the divorce, and at least five years if you don't.Jan 14, 2020

How long after divorce can you remarry in Tennessee?

You cannot remarry until after the divorce has been final for 30 days. After the final hearing, there is a 30-day appeal period. You should not get married until the expiration of this 30-day period. While many spouses start dating during separation, it is not recommended.

Can I really file for divorce in Tennessee without a lawyer?

The answer is Yes. In Tennessee, any person can handle a legal case without a lawyer. The legal definition for self-representation before the court...

How can I file for divorce in Tennessee without a lawyer?

To start a divorce action in Tennessee without a lawyer, the spouse initiating the case, called the plaintiff, shall complete the divorce forms req...

How much does it cost to get an uncontested divorce in Tennessee?

The cost of any dissolution of marriage in Tennessee, whether contested or uncontested, starts with the court filing fee. This fee may be up to $38...

How long do you have to live in Tennessee to file for divorce?

Like other US states, the State of Tennessee requires that the spouses willing to terminate the marriage meet the specific residency requirements b...

How long do you have to respond to divorce papers in Tennessee?

According to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, once receiving the copies of Complaint and Summons, the defendant has to respond to the papers...

How do you get a free divorce in Tennessee?

Even though an uncontested divorce in Tennessee can be relatively affordable, a completely free divorce is, in theory, available only if, along wit...

What papers do I need to file for a divorce in Tennessee?

The required divorce forms for an uncontested dissolution case in Tennessee typically include but are not limited to:Civil Case Cover SheetComplain...

What is notice of hearing?

Notice of Hearing: When the date for the divorce hearing is set, the plaintiff or the court must notify the defendant by completing and sending the form to him/her. Court Order for Divorcing Spouses. Final Decree of Divorce: When this form is signed by the judge after hearing the case, it will complete the divorce.

How long does it take to get divorced in Tennessee?

To file for divorce in Tennessee, either your spouse or you must have lived in the state for a minimum period of 6 months before you can file for divorce. A no-fault divorce takes around 2-6 months to be finalized. There’s a mandatory “cooling off” period:60 days after the filing of the divorce complaint, if the couple does not have kids.

What happens if you don't agree with your spouse?

If your spouse and you do not agree on some or all of the issues pertaining to your divorce, then your case will go to trial, where it will be heard by a judge. The judge will hear all the witness testimonies, review all the evidence and then take decisions on the issues of your case.

How long do you have to live in Tennessee to file for divorce?

If either your spouse or you have lived in Tennessee for a minimum period of 6 months or you lived in the state when deciding to file for divorce. Your spouse and you have no minor kids, disabled children or children above 18 still in school. Your wife is currently not pregnant. Both spouses want to end the marriage.

What is a PPP in Tennessee?

A “Permanent Parenting Plan” (PPP) is needed for spouses to get a divorce in Tennessee. The PPP lists all the obligations and rights of each of the parents and also states which parent can make decisions. Either both parents can make decisions jointly or just one parent can make decisions.

How much does it cost to file divorce papers?

FEES: The fees to file your divorce papers vary from one county to another and can cost between $100-$500. Service of the papers on your spouse can cost between $75-$100, depending on the method of service.

How to serve divorce papers on spouse?

Once you file the papers with the court clerk, you must immediately serve the papers on your spouse. Either your lawyer or you can hire the sheriff’s office or a process server to serve your spouse with the divorce complaint.

Get Your Divorce Forms Completed Online

We can quickly provide you with completed Tennessee divorce documents, which we adjust to your unique situation based upon answers you provide with an online questionnaire at TennesseeOnlineDivorce.com. Our website also offers detailed guidance through the process and useful tips on filing rules in Tennessee.

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in Tennessee

We strive to make the experience of using our system as comfortable as possible. We believe that DIY-divorce should be as easy as possible. You do not have to hire an attorney if your case is uncontested.

How to get divorce in Tennessee?

Therefore, to get a divorce in Tennessee, the marriage must be legal. In other words, Tennessee law recognizes that it has a right to exist. The interested person must comply with the residency requirements and have a reason ...

Can you get a no fault divorce in Tennessee?

All fault-based grounds must be proven in court. The court will hear the facts of the alleged actions from both parties, after which the judge either rejects the Petition or grants a divorce. In Tennessee, to get a no-fault divorce, the interested party only needs to indicate one of the following reasons:

How long do you have to be a resident of Tennessee to get divorced?

According to the Tennessee Code, to get a divorce within the state, either of the spouses must have been a resident of Tennessee for six months before filing for divorce, given that the ground for divorce occurred out of state.

Can a divorce be divided in Tennessee?

If a couple is going through a divorce in Tennessee and the spouses have children of minor age, the court must distribute custody rights between the parents. In making its decision, the court is always guided by the best interests of the child. Thus, custody can be divided between parents or awarded to one parent, depending on what is best for the child.

How long does it take to respond to a complaint in Tennessee?

According to the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure, once receiving the copies of Complaint and Summons, the defendant has to respond to the papers within thirty days after the service. The defendant must reasonably respond to each provision in the Complaint and file an Answer with the Court Clerk.

What is the most common divorce form?

The most common divorce form documents of the state are ‘Request for Divorce,’ ‘Spouses' Personal Information,’ and ‘Final Decree of Divorce.’ If you and your spouse agree on how to split common property, you also have to draft a ‘Divorce Agreement.’

Can a divorce be contested?

However, if there is at least one unresolved issue between the spouses, the divorce will be contested, causing delays due to a series of court sessions where the judge will decide on the disputes. To start a divorce, the interested party needs to fill out the divorce documents.

How long do you have to live in Tennessee before filing for divorce?

Specifically, Tennessee law requires that the plaintiff (spouse filing for divorce) or the defendant (spouse served with divorce papers) has resided in the state for at least six months prior to filing. If neither of your meets the six-month residency requirements, you'll need to wait to file your case. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-104 (2019).

What is fault divorce?

In a fault-divorce, one spouse claims the other caused the break up by engaging in specific misconduct, such as adultery , abuse , or abandonment. This is usually the most time-consuming type of divorce process because you will have to prove to a court that the misconduct occurred and that it led to the divorce.

How long do you have to wait to file for divorce?

Even if you and your spouse reach a divorce agreement on your own, with the help of a mediator, or through your attorneys, you must wait at least 60 days after filing your Request for Divorce before you can schedule your divorce hearing. If you're seeking an agreed divorce, you can't wait more than 180 days after the last person signed the Divorce Agreement form, or you will need to file a new form.

Who is the respondent in divorce?

The person asking the court for a divorce is the "plaintiff," and the responding spouse is called the "defendant.". Some of the forms must be signed while you and/or your spouse are in front of a Notary Public. Do not sign the forms that require notarization until the person (s) required to sign are in front of a Notary Public.

Do you have children with your spouse?

you and your spouse have no children together who are under 18, disabled, or still in high school. the couple is not currently expecting a child. you both want to end your marriage. you don't co-own any buildings, land, a business, or retirement benefits, and.

What happens if my spouse doesn't show up for divorce?

Nevertheless, a spouse who fails to show up at a divorce hearing or trial risks a default divorce being entered against him or her. At the final divorce hearing, you will answer the judge's questions about your marriage, separation, and other items on your forms.

How long does it take to appeal a divorce order?

It is also important to remember that after the Final Divorce Order is issued, each spouse has 30 days to appeal the order.