Not every divorce requires a lengthy and contentious journey through the courts. Some couples are in agreement about the end of their marriage and can part ways with no muss or fuss. A divorce under these circumstances is called Uncontested Divorce or Agreed Divorce

How to File for Uncontested Divorce in Tennessee

If you and your spouse can agree to split amicably, there are a lot of advantages. In Tennessee, you must meet specific requirements to qualify for an Uncontested Divorce. The first step is to present a reason for the dissolution of your marriage. Tennessee requires the statement of a reason or grounds for each divorce petition filed. The following are examples of these legal grounds: 

  • Adultery
  • Inappropriate Marital Conduct
  • Abandonment
  • Habitual Drunkenness or Abuse of Narcotic Drugs
  • Irreconcilable Differences

From the choices on this list, an Uncontested Divorce must fall under “Irreconcilable Differences”. This means neither party is placing direct blame for the divorce on the other, at least not officially. In order to obtain this type of divorce both parties must be in total agreement on the inability to remain married to one another, division of property & debts, and any parenting arrangements, if you have children. Even the smallest disagreement will disqualify you from a divorce under this term, which is why it can also be called an agreed divorce. If there are any sticking points, couples can engage Mediation services to reach their final agreement before filing to be sure they qualify.

Advantages of Filing for an Uncontested Divorce

There are many advantages to filing for an Uncontested Divorce, if you can make it work, including faster conclusion, less money spent and a reduction in stress.

How fast is faster? That’s relative. A contested divorce can stretch out in the courts for months or even years. Compared to that timeline, the required 60-90 days by the state of Tennessee for an Uncontested Divorce is pretty quick. Many call this waiting period a “cooling off period”.  On day 61, a divorce without the involvement of minor children is final. With the involvement of minor children, the divorce happens on day 91.

How much does an Uncontested Divorce cost? The expenses involved in filing an Uncontested Divorce include attorney and filing fees. You may believe filing for this kind of divorce simple enough to forgo hiring an attorney, but there are levels of paperwork that need to be just right. Not having an attorney look over them before filing can save them from being rejected by the court. Plus, most attorneys charge a flat fee to handle an Uncontested Divorce that is much less than other divorce representation.

Each Tennessee county court charges a different filing fee, which generally falls into the $200-$400 range. In Knox County Chancery Court, the minimum filing fee for an Agreed (Uncontested) Divorce is $216.50.

Less stress? Although there likely is no such thing as a completely stress-free divorce, coming to an agreement between spouses before filing can reduce the amount and length of stress felt during the process. Staying out of court is always going to be less stressful than going to court over disagreements.

How Can the Divorce Attorneys at MLG Help?

The divorce lawyers of McKeehan Law Group have decades of experience guiding couples through divorce proceedings, both contested and uncontested. Schedule your free consultation today!