Filing for Divorce Tennessee

Tennessee Attorneys Helping You File for Divorce

Understanding the TN divorce process

Tennessee grants both no-fault and at-fault divorces to couples where at least one member of the marriage has lived in the state for a minimum of six months. No-fault divorce affords couples a greater degree of privacy because neither party has to allege or defend against charges that could damage their reputation. But no-fault divorce requires a degree of cooperation to achieve.

The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates helps clients with a divorce, from the initial filing of the divorce complaint through the issuance of a final divorce decree, with reliable advice and professional advocacy. For 30 years, clients in Franklin, Brentwood, and Columbia have relied on Adrian Altshuler for help with their legal needs.

How can we help?

What is the process for filing for divorce in Tennessee?

To begin the divorce process, you or your spouse file a complaint for divorce in the county where either of you resides. For a no-fault divorce:

  • You need a statement indicating you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences and that you and your spouse have been living apart for two years.
  • You also need to have an agreement regarding all related divorce issues such as property division, child custody, and child support.

Our knowledgeable divorce attorney can help you memorialize your agreement in a proposed divorce settlement which you present to the court for approval. Provided the court finds no problems with your agreement, the divorce is generally granted in about 60 days after you or your spouse files the complaint.

What are the grounds for filing for divorce in Tennessee?

In rare cases where a spouse wants to fight a divorce, the petitioning spouse must present evidence of the other’s fault in destroying the marriage. At-fault grounds for divorce include the following:

  • Adultery
  • Desertion
  • Cruel and inhumane treatment Conviction of a felony accompanied by a prison sentence
  • Habitual drunkenness or abuse of narcotic drugs
  • A spouse entered marriage with another person
  • A spouse “at the time of the contract, was and still is naturally impotent and incapable of procreation”
  • Other statutory grounds

How do I choose the right divorce attorney?

Finding the right divorce attorney is difficult. So to help, we created a few quick tips about what to look for in a reliable divorce lawyer.

  • Someone who practices divorce law.Divorce law requires someone who is both tenacious and sensitive. The attorney you hire should focus a significant portion of their practice on divorce law. Do not consider hiring relatives or friends simply because they are lawyers. There are many different types of lawyers and someone who focuses on personal injury or bankruptcy cannot provide you with the legal guidance you need to protect your rights in a divorce proceeding.
  • Experience. Unfortunately, not all divorces end quickly. Some divorces are long and hostile, and as a result, you need an experienced divorce attorney who is prepared to fight for you. Our family lawyer has been an advocate for spouses who are divorcing for 30 years.
  • Success in and out of court. When choosing a lawyer to represent you, look for someone who has a record of success in and out of court. The person you hire should be skilled at out-of-court negotiations involving child support and custody issues and division of property and assets matters. However, your lawyer must also be a formidable litigator who is ready to handle a long trial.
  • Knowledge of alternatives.The divorce attorney you hire should also be able to recommend alternatives to traditional divorce. He or she should be able to clearly articulate the difference between separation and divorce. Your attorney should know collaborative divorce and mediation work and explain the advantages and disadvantages of these cooperative approaches.

At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler, we have extensive experience handling separation, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and adoption.

Can I file for divorce online in Tennessee?

While there are plenty of online divorce resources, including online divorce forms, you cannot legally file for divorce online in Tennessee.

Nor should you want to; there’s a lot that can go wrong, and any errors (even small ones) can delay the process. Our skilled lawyer will help you identify all your rights, including how your marital property is divided, what assets such as homes and retirement accounts are considered marital property, the different types of alimony support, how child custody is determined, and the amount of child support that must be paid.

Our family lawyer will guide you step-by-step through the divorce process explaining your rights at each stage. When there are no children and few assets, obtaining a divorce in Tennessee is usually fairly easy. Even when there are children, significant marital assets, and one spouse is economically disadvantaged compared to the other spouse; divorce agreements are more the rule than the exception.

You want to make sure you’re not foregoing any of your rights. You need to make sure you protect your future and your children’s future.

How do the collaborative divorce and mediation processes work?

Divorcing couples who are able to communicate and work cooperatively may be candidates for collaborative divorce or mediation. These alternatives to divorces are friendlier less expensive ways of reaching settlement agreements that are manageable precisely because the divorcing spouses have created it.

In a collaborative divorce, the spouses work with their lawyers and professionals such as appraisers and child psychologists to try to create a workable agreement of all the divorce dispute issues. In mediation, a neutral third party who has experience resolving disputes tries to forge an agreement.

There are many advantages to collaboration and mediation including being able to schedule meetings at your convenience and less rigid formalities.

As a skilled, Adrian Altshuler has assisted many couples working through issues of separation or divorce reach agreements with their spouses or a coparent.

Do you have a divorce lawyer near me?

We have three convenient offices where you can discuss your divorce rights with an experienced family lawyer. The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates meet clients in person at the following locations:

  • Franklin Office. 219 3rd Ave N
  • Columbia Office. 604 N High St
  • Brentwood Office. 1616 Westgate Cir #363

For 30 years, we’ve been advocates for spouses and children so they can secure their financial and emotional futures after a marriage ends. Many divorce disputes are resolved by agreement. When necessary, we have the experience, resources, and reputation to provide strong aggressive representation before a family law judge.

Contact a divorce lawyer who serves Middle Tennessee

For assistance with your divorce filing in Brentwood, Franklin, or Columbia, Tennessee, divorce dispute negotiation, and court trials; contact our seasoned divorce lawyers by calling us or filling out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.

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