Frequently Asked Questions
Uncontested Divorce Mediation in Tennessee
For an uncontested divorce, the total cost of mediation typically ranges between $400 and $1,000. This fee is based on the hours spent in the session, preparation time, and drafting your final agreements. Most couples complete their uncontested divorce mediation in less than six hours total. The exact time depends on the complexity of your assets and how well you and your spouse can collaborate. If you have children under 18, it takes a little longer because you will need to complete a Parenting Plan and a Child Support calculation. Mediation is completely voluntary, meaning both parties must agree to participate. If your spouse is hesitant, we can help explain how mediation saves thousands of dollars, speeds up the process, and keeps the power in your hands instead of leaving it to a judge. You are never forced to agree to anything in mediation! If you cannot reach a full agreement, you will go to court and have a judge decide the remaining issues. However, resolving even a few issues in mediation will still save you time and money. As a neutral mediator, I help keep the conversation calm and structured. By removing the high emotions and stopping manipulation, we can focus on clear facts, bring light without heat to the issues, and surface creative solutions that might have remained obscured in emotionally charged, stressful discussions No. A mediator is a neutral guide, not a judge or an attorney. My job is to help you build an agreement you can both live with, without picking sides, pointing fingers, or assigning blame. Yes, the court must approve all Requests for Divorce! But in some cases, only the Plaintiff may be required to appear in court.
Tennessee Divorce Laws & Property Division
No, Tennessee is an Equitable Distribution state. This means the court divides marital property in a way that is fair, but not necessarily a strict 50/50 split. The state looks at factors such as your income, how long you were married, as well as the tangible and intangible contributions to the marriage made by each party to decide what is fair. No. If you both agree the marriage is over and settle on all your terms, you can file under "Irreconcilable Differences." This means you do not have to accuse or prove any wrongdoing like adultery or abuse. In an uncontested divorce there is no legal difference. Judges treat both equally. The Plaintiff is simply the person who files the initial paperwork and pays the court filing fee. In Tennessee, only the Plaintiff is usually required to show up in court for the final hearing to finalize an uncontested divorce. Once your paperwork is filed, Tennessee law requires a mandatory cooling-off period before your divorce is official: You are legally allowed to represent yourself (called "pro se"). However, if you own a home, a business, or have a qualified retirement plan, the court will require at least one attorney to review your plans. In all cases, I highly recommend having an attorney review your final paperwork before signing. Papers are filed with the Circuit, Chancery, or General Session Court depending on which county you reside in. Check with your local Court Clerk. As a mediator, I do not file court papers. You or your attorney must file.
Children, Support, and Alimony
Child support is calculated using a strict state formula from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, meaning parents cannot simply negotiate their own amount. The calculation factors include:
- Each parent's gross monthly income.
- The number of nights the children spend with each parent.
- Expenses including health insurance, childcare, and special needs.
Alimony is financial support paid from one spouse to the other to ease financial imbalances after a divorce. Tennessee recognizes four options:
- Alimony in Solido: (Lump Sum) A fixed amount of money or property used to balance out an uneven property division (for example when one spouse gets the house). It cannot be changed later.
- Alimony in Futuro: (Long-Term) Ongoing monthly payments for long marriages, intended to help a spouse maintain their standard of living. This can be modified if lives change significantly.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: (School/Job Training) Short-term payments to help a spouse go back to school or learn a trade to become financially self-sufficient.
- Transitional Alimony: (Moving Assistance) A short-term, temporary fund to help a spouse pay for immediate transition costs like moving trucks, security deposits, and setting up a new home.
Local Davidson County Court Fees
(As of July, 2026)
In Davidson County, standard court filing fees are:
- Divorce without minor children: $234.50
- Divorce with minor children $309.50
If you need to have divorce papers hand-delivered to your spouse in Davidson County, hiring the local Sheriff’s department or a private agency typically costs between $52 and $125+.
Fees may vary by county so check with your local Clerk of the Court for the most current fee.