Tennessee costs turn on issues to resolve, conflict level, and how quickly you exchange financial information. Parenting classes, mediation, and the 60/90-day waiting period shape timelines and budgets.
Plan for a filing fee, plus service of process, copies, and certified decrees. Professional help can include mediation, limited-scope legal review, document preparation, and financial experts for valuation or tax strategy. Parents will complete a parenting class and need a Permanent Parenting Plan.
Costs increase with complex property, high-conflict parenting, and late/incomplete disclosures. Costs decrease with organized statements, pay stubs, and tax returns, a single shared settlement draft, agreed valuation dates, and early mediation.
Lead with mediation, then ask a lawyer to review your papers. Use attorneys strategically for coaching and targeted negotiations. For homes, specify an appraisal method and a refinance/buyout timeline to avoid duplicative work.
Hello Divorce can prepare all your Tennessee divorce forms for you with our divorce plans.
Can I get a filing fee waiver in Tennessee?
Yes. You can request an indigency/fee waiver if paying is a hardship.
Does filing first raise costs?
Not typically. Costs track conflict, organization, and the speed of disclosures and settlement.
Do I need to appear in person?
Many uncontested cases resolve on paperwork or a brief hearing; remote options may be available depending on the county and judge.