Most people think that divorces are filled with drawn-out and volatile arguments, long days in court, and emotional turmoil. However, depending on the circumstances of the relationship the process can take as little as 2 months. How long an uncontested divorce takes in Tennessee depends on various aspects of the situation. Work with a Memphis, Tennessee uncontested divorce lawyer for skilled representation during your case.
What Issues Must Be Addressed During a Divorce?
To get divorced there are a few issues that need to be addressed, whether between the spouses or by a judge. Consider the following.
- Alimony
- Asset division
- Debt division
- Child custody
- Child support
These are the main topics that must be settled before a divorce can be finalized. Whether or not the spouses agree on the above issues determines how long their divorce will take.
What is an Uncontested Divorce?
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses are in agreement about the major issues of divorce. Whether the agreement is reached once one person files the paperwork or through mediation sessions, both parties must feel that the settlement is mutually satisfactory.
In an uncontested divorce, all of the previously mentioned major issues are agreed upon by both parties. If they cannot come to an agreement, however, they are considered to be in a contested divorce.
Contested divorces can take several months and even years depending on the details of the disagreement. If the spouses cannot agree on the topics, even after negotiations and mediation, the case will have to go to trial and a judge will have the authority to make the final decision.
How Long Does it Take to Finalize an Uncontested Divorce in TN?
Most uncontested divorces are finalized within 2 to 6 months. Tennessee state law does require a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date that the complaint was filed to the date the divorce can be resolved.
Other factors that can impact the length of time the divorce takes are how long the spouse takes to respond to the papers and how busy the court is.
In TN, a spouse who is served divorce papers has 30 days to file a response with the court. How long they take to respond will impact the amount of time it takes for the divorce to be finalized.
Additionally, the amount of cases the court has at the moment can seriously derail the timeline of your divorce. If there is a backlog of cases it could take you months to find an available court date to finalize the divorce. The amount of time it will take can be influenced by a variety of factors.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer Today
At Rice Law, our attorneys understand the sensitive nature of a divorce case. Even when it is necessary, getting divorced can be emotionally tumultuous and overwhelming. It is important that you understand your rights and the legal process of getting a divorce. Reach out to a skilled attorney today for more information and experienced representation.
