Experienced Family Law And Criminal Defense Legal Representation

Murfreesboro Divorce Attorney Serving Clients Throughout Middle Tennessee

Divorce after many years of marriage can feel overwhelming. The decisions you make now affect your children, your home and your finances. Handling a divorce without an experienced divorce attorney or divorce lawyer can be difficult. I have over 23 years of experience helping families in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee through both uncontested divorces and contested divorces, including high net worth divorce cases, with skill and care.

Contested And Uncontested Divorce Options Explained

Spouses may file a contested divorce or an uncontested divorce.

Uncontested divorces are faster and usually less expensive. Both spouses agree on property, child custody and support.
Contested divorces happen when the court resolves disagreements.

Divorces may be no-fault, such as irreconcilable differences, or fault-based, like adultery. One spouse must have lived in Tennessee for at least six months before filing.

Key Divorce Issues Tennessee Courts Decide

Every divorce brings unique challenges, but certain issues must be resolved before a case can be finalized. Courts often decide:

Child custody: Who makes parenting decisions and how much time each parent spends with the child.
Child support: Payments based on each parent’s income, time with the child and costs for the child’s care.
Alimony: Payments based on the length of the marriage, income and financial needs.
Property: Division of homes, personal property and debts acquired during the marriage.
Retirement: Division of accounts and pensions using a legal order (QDRO).
Business and assets: Careful evaluation of family businesses, investments and properties.

Knowing how courts handle these matters helps you prepare for negotiations and court proceedings.

Why Families Trust Parham Law Office

For over 23 years, I have provided clear, results-driven representation. I guide families through custody, support and property division, offering steady support and strong advocacy at every step. Whether your divorce is uncontested, contested or a high net worth divorce, I ensure your interests are fully protected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce In Tennessee

Divorce can bring up a lot of questions about the process, your finances and what comes next. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns Tennessee families face.

What are the grounds for divorce in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, divorce can be based on either no-fault or fault-based grounds. A no-fault divorce usually means the spouses have irreconcilable differences. A fault-based divorce requires one spouse to prove that the other did something that justifies ending the marriage.

Common fault-based grounds in Tennessee include:

Adultery
Willful desertion or abandonment
Cruel and inhuman treatment
Habitual drunkenness or drug abuse
Indignities that make the marriage intolerable

If you are considering divorce, a family law attorney can help you understand which ground may apply to your situation.

How long does a divorce take in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, a divorce generally cannot be finalized until at least 60 days after filing if there are no minor children involved, or 90 days after filing if the couple has minor children. If children are involved, the parents may also be required to complete a parenting class before the divorce can be finalized.

For uncontested divorce cases where both spouses agree on the major issues, the process may move quicker once these requirements are satisfied. However, if the divorce is contested and the spouses disagree about property, custody or child support, the process can take much longer.

How do Tennessee courts determine child custody in a divorce?

In a Tennessee divorce, the courts’ custody decisions are based on the best interests of the child. Some of the factors considered may include each parent’s relationship with the child, the parents’ ability to provide a stable home, any history of abuse or neglect, and each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.

Tennessee courts also consider the child’s adjustment to home, school and community, along with any other circumstances that may affect the child’s welfare. Custody and parenting time are usually addressed in a parenting plan, which sets out key details such as where the child will live, how parenting time will be divided, how holidays and school breaks will be handled, and how major decisions about the child will be made. A comprehensive parenting plan can help provide structure and minimize conflict for all parties while focusing on what is best for the child.

How is child support calculated in Tennessee?

Tennessee uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support, operating on the principle that children ought to receive the same share of parental income as they would have if the parents lived together.

Under this model, the court looks at the income of both parents, adds those amounts together, and then determines each parent’s share of the child support obligation based on their percentage of the total income. Other factors can also affect the final amount, including the number of children, the amount of parenting time each parent has, health insurance costs, and work-related childcare expenses.

You can get a rough estimate of your support obligations by using the Department of Human Services child support calculator. If you have specific questions about your unique situation, it is best to consult with an experienced Tennessee child support lawyer.

Can a child support agreement be modified in the future?

Yes, a child support agreement can be modified at a later time if there is a significant change in your or your child’s circumstances. In Tennessee, either parent may ask the court to review and adjust child support if there has been a substantial and material change, such as a significant change in income, a change in the amount of parenting time, or an increase in the child’s school and medical expenses.

The court will look at whether the requested modification is justified under the circumstances and whether it is consistent with the state’s child support guidelines.

Do Tennessee courts divide property and debt equally in a divorce?

No, Tennessee courts do not divide property and debt equally in a divorce. Instead, it follows the rule of equitable distribution, which means the court divides marital property and debt in a way that is fair and not necessarily 50/50.

Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, while separate property includes assets owned before the marriage, gifts, personal injury awards and inheritances. When dividing marital property, the court may consider factors such as the length of the marriage, the value of certain assets, each spouse’s financial contributions, each spouse’s earning capacity and each spouse’s contributions as a homemaker.

What will happen to my retirement funds during my divorce?

Retirement funds may be divided during a divorce in Tennessee depending on whether they are classified as marital or separate property. The court considers retirement benefits or contributions earned during the marriage as marital property, which may be subject to division. However, the court usually considers funds accumulated before the marriage as separate property.

The court will look at the portion of the retirement account that was built up during the marriage and determine whether it should be divided as part of the overall property settlement. In some cases, dividing retirement assets may require additional legal documents, such as a “qualified domestic relations order” to properly transfer funds.

Can a spouse be required to pay alimony in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee law may require a spouse to pay alimony, but courts do not automatically award it in every divorce. Instead, alimony is used to help address financial differences between the spouses when one person needs support and the other can pay. The court may consider factors such as income, earning ability and each spouse’s contributions to the home and family.

Tennessee recognizes several types of alimony, including:

Rehabilitative alimony: Helps a spouse become self-supporting
Transitional alimony: Provides support while a spouse adjusts after divorce
Alimony in futuro: In longer marriages, courts may grant this type of alimony if self-support is not realistic
Alimony in solido: A fixed alimony amount paid in installments or as a lump sum

A divorce attorney can help you understand whether alimony may apply in your case and what type of support may be appropriate based on your specific circumstances.

Protect Your Family And Secure Your Future

Divorce changes how you raise children, manage your home and plan your finances. An experienced divorce attorney can help protect your children, secure fair support and divide property responsibly. At Parham Law Office, I will provide clear guidance, practical solutions and steady advocacy tailored to your situation. Call 615-694-2810 today or visit the website to schedule a consultation and take the first step in protecting your family and future.