How to file for divorce in Tennessee

There are two main parts to the divorce process. The first is known as filing for divorce and the second is completing or finalizing your divorce. Most persons place most of the emphasis on filing; however, the most important step is finalizing your divorce. It is this last step that actually dissolves your marriage. Filing for divorce simply begins your divorce case with the court.

Complete Guide - how to file for Divorce in Tennessee

To file for divorce in Tennessee you must submit a Complaint for Divorce to the appropriate Circuit court. To determine which the court you should file your divorce case with, you must ask yourself a few questions. First, are you or your spouse a resident of Tennessee? Have you or your spouse been a resident for more than six months? Have you or your spouse been a resident in the County where you intend to file your divorce for more than 90 days? Answering these questions will help you determine where to file your Complaint for divorce. Each circuit court may have unique forms and documents that must be included with your Complaint for divorce. But, before you file any Complaint for divorce there are many other considerations. For example, will your divorce be contested or uncontested? Will your spouse be cooperative? Do you know the whereabouts of your spouse? These questions will determine how your case will be processed through the court. There are various legal and case processing requirements you must complete based upon your answers to the above questions. For example, if you do not know the whereabouts of your spouse you will have to take additional steps to try to locate your spouse and to provide notice to your spouse of the pending divorce before you will be able to finalize your divorce.

Finalizing Your Divorce in Tennessee

Completing your divorce is the ultimate goal. However, reaching this goal can be tedious, time-consuming, and expensive unless you have the proper knowledge and a clear path to follow. As noted above, there may be multiple steps between filing your divorce and finalizing your divorce. The additional steps in between may be due to many factors such as your spouse not cooperating with you, or your spouse and you asking the court to make all the decisions for you.

Even in simple uncontested divorce cases finalizing your divorce can be a headache if your final decree of divorce is not properly drafted and found could be satisfactory and legally sufficient for the judge to sign off on it. Many people obtain the services of website companies or other non-attorney service providers to prepare their uncontested divorce documents. In Tennessee many judges will not sign off on insufficient or poorly drafted Final Decree of Divorce. Because most people focus only on filing for divorce it is these website companies that exploit consumers. A careful review of such company websites reveals that they only guarantee their documents will be accepted for filing. But, as noted herein it is the final divorce decree that actually ends your marriage.

Avoid the headache use Tennessee Divorce Online

You can use Tennessee Divorce Online to begin your uncontested divorce process in Tennessee and simply mail your paperwork to court for approval of your divorce without having to make any visits to the courthouse or having to appear before the judge. You simply answer a series of questions online and a Tennessee Divorce Online case attorney reviews your answers and prepares all your divorce paperwork for you. The paperwork includes not only the Complaint for Divorce but your Final Judgment for Divorce. In addition, the online attorney prepares step-by-step instructions that you can use to finalize your uncontested divorce with your local court.

What does it cost?

The total cost of the Tennessee Divorce Online service is $195. This online service is delivered at a lawyer-free price but with the oversight of an attorney.