Family Law Attorneys in Memphis, TN
Memphis families going through divorce, custody, or support proceedings in Shelby County benefit from early guidance. A Tennessee-licensed family law attorney serving Memphis will talk through your options at no charge.
- Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
- Matched with a Tennessee attorney in 24 hours
- 30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide
Free Memphis family law case review
A Tennessee attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.
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How we match your Memphis family law case
When you submit a Memphis 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.
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.
Family Law cases in Memphis
More about legal help in Memphis →Divorce, custody, and support cases in Memphis carry a local twist: families often live, work, and school their children across the Tennessee–Mississippi line, which raises questions about where a case belongs and which state’s rules apply. Shelby County courts handle the matters filed here, including parenting plans, child support, and property division. Tennessee requires a parenting plan in custody cases and follows its own support guidelines. DearLegal matches you with a Tennessee-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in Memphis, free review.
- Memphis divorce and custody cases are filed in Shelby County courts.
- Families split between Memphis and Southaven often face questions about which state has jurisdiction.
- Tennessee custody cases require a written parenting plan.
Tennessee family law rules at a glance
Memphis cases run under Tennessee law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Tennessee page.
Read the full Tennessee family law guide →- 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
Exhibit D
How much do Memphis family law attorneys cost?
Typical fee schedule
Tennessee · Family Law
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.
Exhibit F
Memphis family law questions, answered
Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Tennessee attorney will review it for free.
Family Law attorneys by city in Tennessee
Same Tennessee rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.
