You can begin divorce proceedings in Tennessee as long as one spouse has lived in the state for at least six months. Once you file for divorce, however, many factors influence whether it will take a few months or several years for you to be legally divorced.
Uncontested Divorces
It takes less time to finalize a divorce when both spouses agree to get divorced and agree on the terms of the divorce. If you file for divorce based on irreconcilable differences and you have no minor children, the court may approve your divorce after 60 days. If you do have children under the age of 18, the court may approve your divorce after 90 days.
Contested Divorces
The divorce process takes longer when spouses do not agree on the terms of their divorce. Some of the factors that make divorces take longer include:
- High asset divorces, where there is a lot of money at stake and issues such as property division and alimony are complicated
- Child custody disputes, where the parents can’t agree on a custody or visitation arrangement
- Child support disagreements, where parents can’t agree on child support provisions
- An uncooperative spouse who is not interested in moving the divorce along quickly
In these situations, it may be many months, or even years, before a divorce is finalized.
How to Keep Your Divorce Moving
It’s often difficult to transition from marriage to divorce, and you likely want to finalize your divorce as quickly as possible. Our Tennessee divorce lawyers will help expedite your divorce without jeopardizing your child custody rights or financial future. Contact us today to discuss your concerns and how to keep your divorce case moving forward while protecting your legal rights.