The timeline for a divorce in Tennessee can vary widely depending on whether the divorce in question is contested or uncontested.
In Tennessee, the shortest possible timeline for a divorce is 60 days, but only in certain cases. If there are no minor children involved and both spouses agree on all issues—including property division, alimony and debt allocation—the court requires a 60-day waiting period after the initial filing before granting a final divorce decree. This is the minimum time, not a guarantee and assumes that all paperwork is properly completed and filed.
If a divorce scenario is not completely straightforward
If a couple shares minor children, the state’s divorce waiting period increases to 90 days. During this time, parents must attend a mandatory parenting seminar approved by the court. The court will also review the couple’s proposed Permanent Parenting Plan to better ensure that it meets the best interests of the children.
An uncontested divorce typically moves more quickly than a litigated one would. Once the waiting period ends and both parties have signed all the necessary agreements, a final hearing can be scheduled. If all documents are in order, a judge may grant the divorce at that hearing.
However, many divorces are contested—meaning that the spouses involved disagree on one or more issues. When this happens, the timeline for the process extends significantly. After a complaint is filed, the non-filing spouse has 30 days to respond. Discovery may follow, during which both parties exchange information about income, assets, debts and other relevant matters. Discovery can take several weeks or even months.
The court may then order mediation, which can help the couple reach an agreement outside of court. If mediation fails, the case proceeds to trial, which can be scheduled months down the line depending on the court’s calendar. A contested divorce can easily take 6 months to over a year to resolve.
Other factors that can affect a divorce timeline include the complexity of the marital estate, the level of conflict between spouses and the willingness of each side to negotiate. Delays can also occur if one party is uncooperative or if child custody evaluations are needed.
Working with a knowledgeable legal team can help to streamline the process, better ensure that deadlines are met and minimize delays. With all of that said, every divorce case is unique and there are no guarantees that a particular couple’s divorce will be wrapped by a certain date.