Tennessee Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Tennessee family law attorneys who can navigate Tennessee’s no-fault framework and equitable distribution.

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Free Tennessee family law case review

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How we match your Tennessee family law case

When you submit a Tennessee family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Tennessee law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Tennessee who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in Tennessee

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Tennessee family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in Tennessee.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 6 months
6 months in Tennessee if non-resident at time of grounds accrual (Tenn. Code § 36-4-104); 60-day (90-day with kids) cooling-off
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution across 9 factors (Tenn. Code § 36-4-121)
Custody Standard: Primary residential
Primary residential parent and residential schedule under best-interests factors (Tenn. Code § 36-6-106)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. § 1240-2-4)
Spousal Support Framework: Four types
Four types of alimony under Tenn. Code § 36-5-121 — alimony in futuro, transitional, rehabilitative, in solido
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Tennessee has 15 grounds for divorce under Tenn. Code § 36-4-101, including irreconcilable differences (no-fault) and 2 years of living separate and apart without minor children. Residency is 6 months in Tennessee before filing for non-residents at time of accrual of grounds (Tenn. Code § 36-4-104). Tennessee imposes a 60-day cooling-off period (no minor children) or 90-day cooling-off period (with minor children) from filing before a final hearing. Tennessee is an equitable distribution state under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121 — marital property is divided equitably across 9 factors. Custody is now called primary residential parent allocation under Tenn. Code § 36-6-106 with best-interests factors. Tennessee uses Income Shares under Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. § 1240-2-4).

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in Tennessee

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in Tennessee

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested divorce

When both spouses agree, Tennessee allows finalization at the cooling-off period via stipulation and decree (Tenn. Marital Dissolution Agreement).

Sound like yours? A Tennessee attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Tennessee family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Tennessee · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Tennessee are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Tennessee are not handled on contingency. Tennessee Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Tennessee family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Tenn. Code §§ 36-5-103 and 36-4-122.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit E

What your Tennessee family law compensation can include

A Tennessee family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

Equitable distribution under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121 — 9-factor analysis. Separate property exempt.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Tennessee family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Tennessee attorney will review it for free.

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Without minor children, at minimum 60 days from filing. With minor children, at minimum 90 days. Uncontested divorces typically finalize at or shortly after the cooling-off period. Contested cases generally take 9–18 months.

Yes. Irreconcilable differences is a no-fault ground under Tenn. Code § 36-4-101(14) — though both spouses must agree to the divorce on this ground OR the petitioner must combine it with a fault ground. Tennessee also recognizes 2 years of living separate and apart without minor children as no-fault. The 13 other grounds are fault-based.

No pre-filing separation is required for irreconcilable differences or most fault grounds. The 2-year-separation no-fault ground requires 2 years of living apart without minor children.

Tennessee is an equitable distribution state. Under Tenn. Code § 36-4-121, marital property is divided equitably (not necessarily equally) across 9 factors including duration, age, health, contributions to acquisition (including homemaker), value of separate property, tax consequences, and others. Separate property (premarital, gifts, inheritance) is exempt.

Tennessee uses primary residential parent (PRP) and residential schedule (parenting time) instead of custody. Under Tenn. Code § 36-6-106, courts apply 15 best-interests factors. A permanent parenting plan is required.

Tennessee uses Income Shares under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. § 1240-2-4). Both parents’ gross incomes are applied to the basic child support obligation schedule and adjusted for parenting time, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses.

Yes. PRP designation requires a material change in circumstances; modification of residential schedule has a lower threshold. Child support requires substantial change (typically 15%+). Alimony modification depends on type — alimony in futuro and transitional can be modified; in solido cannot. Property division is final.

Family Law attorneys by city in Tennessee

Same Tennessee rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in Tennessee

All Tennessee practice areas →

Animal Incident attorneysTennessee holds dog owners strictly liable — the owner pays for bites in public places even if it’s the dog’s first offense.

Business Dispute attorneysTennessee enforces reasonable non-competes — and the state Supreme Court has set the modern enforceability factors.

Car Accident attorneysTennessee’s one-year injury filing deadline is one of the shortest in the country — evidence preservation and timely filing matter more here than in most states.

Consumer Protection attorneysThe Tennessee Consumer Protection Act lets consumers recover triple damages plus attorney fees for willful or knowing violations.

Criminal Defense attorneysTennessee’s sentencing ranges and Range I/II/III enhancements make plea positioning critical from arraignment.

Defective Product attorneysTennessee’s Products Liability Act consolidated the old theories — and a ten-year absolute cutoff bars claims over older products.

Employment attorneysThe Tennessee Human Rights Act tracks the federal discrimination categories — and the state human rights commission handles administrative charges with a 180-day filing window.

Immigration attorneysTennessee has immigration court in Memphis — and growing immigrant populations in Nashville and Knoxville drive case volume.

Lemon Law attorneysThe Tennessee Lemon Law covers new vehicles within 1 year/12,000 miles — narrower than most states, so timing matters.

Medical Malpractice attorneysTennessee’s health-care liability law requires 60-day pre-suit notice and a Certificate of Good Faith before filing.

Personal Injury attorneysA one-year filing deadline is one of the country’s shortest — every Tennessee injury case lives or dies by timing.

Slip and Fall attorneysTennessee premises liability turns on notice and reasonableness — and the natural-accumulation rule limits weather-related claims.

Social Security Disability attorneysTennessee disability hearing offices in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga process moderate volumes — and Sixth Circuit federal precedent shapes review.

Workers’ Compensation attorneysTennessee workers’ comp runs through the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims — a system significantly reformed in 2013.

Tennessee Family Law Attorneys

How we match your Tennessee family law case

Case type

Size and complexity

Jurisdiction and licensing

Capacity and fit

What happens with a family law claim in Tennessee

You decide to act.

Tell us what happened.

Filing and disclosures.

Negotiation or mediation.

Hearing or trial.

Final order.

When to call a family law attorney in Tennessee

Family Law cases we take in Tennessee

Uncontested divorce

Contested divorce

Primary residential parent / parenting plan

Child support and modification

Alimony

Premarital and postnuptial agreements

Paternity actions

Adoption

Grandparent visitation rights

Orders of Protection

Same-sex marriage and divorce

Military divorce

How much do Tennessee family law attorneys cost?

What your Tennessee family law compensation can include

Property Division

Alimony

Child Support

Custody and Parenting Time

Attorney’s Fees

Protective Orders

Tennessee family law questions, answered

Family Law attorneys by city in Tennessee

Other case types in Tennessee

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