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Nashville Divorce Lawyer
Divorce can affect nearly every part of your life, including your finances, home, property, relationship with your children, and plans for the future. Whether you are considering divorce, preparing to file, or already involved in a divorce proceeding, knowing your rights and legal options is an important first step.
Michael Killen has operated his own Nashville law firm since 2010 and represents clients in divorce and related family-law matters throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. He handles uncontested, contested, and default divorce matters as well as divorces involving children, property, financial issues, and spousal support.
Every divorce presents different circumstances. Michael takes the time to assess the matters that need attention, explain what to expect at each stage in straightforward terms, and help clients evaluate the options available to them.
Divorce Services We Handle
Divorce and family-law cases can involve several different legal concerns. Killen Law represents clients dealing with divorce and related family-law matters, with the approach tailored to the issues involved.
Uncontested Divorce
When spouses are able to reach agreement on the key decisions in ending their marriage, an uncontested divorce may provide a more straightforward path toward resolution. The required agreements and filings must still comply with Tennessee law.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce occurs when spouses cannot agree on one or more significant matters. Disputes may involve property, debt, support, parenting responsibilities, or other matters that require negotiation or court involvement before the divorce can be finalized.
Irreconcilable Differences Divorce
Irreconcilable differences are one of the grounds for divorce recognized under Tennessee law. When spouses agree that the marriage cannot be reconciled and can settle the remaining matters, a divorce based on irreconcilable differences may provide a path toward ending the marriage.
Default Divorce
If a spouse does not participate in the divorce after being properly served, the case may be able to proceed as a default divorce. Tennessee’s legal and procedural requirements must still be followed before the court can finalize the divorce.
Child Custody & Parenting
When children are involved, parents may need to resolve custody, parenting time, holiday schedules, and other decisions affecting their family.
Child Support
Child support may be an important part of a divorce or family-law case involving children. The needs of the parents and children, along with applicable Tennessee requirements, must be considered.
Property Division
A divorce may require the division of marital property and debt, including homes, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement assets, businesses, and other property.
Alimony & Spousal Support
Whether support is appropriate depends on the financial needs and resources of both spouses, along with other factors recognized under Tennessee law.
The Tennessee Divorce Process
The divorce process can vary depending on whether spouses reach agreement on the key decisions required to end their marriage. Some cases can be resolved through agreement, while others require negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings.
Starting the Divorce
A divorce begins with the required legal filings and service of the other spouse. The appropriate procedure depends on the marriage, the parties, and the matters requiring resolution
Identifying the Issues
Divorce cases can involve property and debt, financial support, parenting responsibilities, child support, and other matters. Identifying the points of agreement and those that remain disputed helps determine how the matter should proceed.
Negotiation & Mediation
Many divorce disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. When the parties are able to reach an agreement, the terms can be presented to the court for approval as required.
Court Proceedings
When important issues cannot be resolved by agreement, court proceedings may be necessary. Court proceedings may involve hearings, motions, discovery, mediation, and, when necessary, a trial.
Finalizing the Divorce
Once the remaining matters have been settled and the court enters the appropriate order, the marriage can be legally dissolved. The final documents may also cover property, support, parenting, and other matters pertaining to the case.
Tennessee Divorce Requirements
Tennessee law provides several grounds for divorce, including irreconcilable differences and other statutory grounds. The appropriate grounds and procedure depend on the circumstances of the marriage and the issues involved.
Generally, at least one spouse must have lived in Tennessee for six months before filing, subject to statutory exceptions.
Tennessee also requires a minimum waiting period before a divorce may be finalized: generally 60 days when there are no unmarried children under 18, or 90 days when there are unmarried children under 18. These are minimum waiting periods, and disputes involving property, finances, children, or support may extend the process.
Property & Financial Issues in a Divorce
Divorce often requires spouses to address a range of financial issues before the marriage can be finalized. These may include marital property, debts, retirement accounts, investments, business interests, and alimony or spousal support. Knowing how these issues may affect your long-term finances is an important part of the divorce process, as financial decisions made during the process can have a lasting effect on your financial future.
Marital Property
Determining what property is subject to division and how the parties’ interests should be divided can require a careful review of how the property was acquired and how it is classified.
Debts & Financial Obligations
Divorce can also require the parties to address marital debts and other financial obligations. Identifying the marital debts and determining responsibility for them can be important when working toward a final resolution.
Retirement Accounts & Other Assets
Retirement accounts, investments, business interests, real estate, and other significant assets can require additional attention during a divorce.
Alimony & Spousal Support
Spousal support can affect the financial arrangements reached in a divorce. The type, amount, and duration of support may depend on factors recognized under Tennessee law.
Experienced Nashville Divorce Representation
Divorce can involve difficult decisions affecting your property, finances, children, and future. With many years of experience operating his own Nashville law firm, Michael Killen takes a practical approach to helping clients evaluate their options, understand Tennessee’s legal requirements, and prepare for the decisions ahead.
He recognizes that no two divorces are exactly alike. Some matters can be resolved through agreement, while others require negotiation or court proceedings. Throughout the process, he focuses on providing straightforward guidance, answering questions as they arise, and helping clients make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances. His goal is to help clients move through each stage of the divorce process with clarity and confidence while protecting the interests that matter most to them.
Divorce Representation in Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Killen Law represents clients in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee in divorce and family-law matters.
The firm’s service area includes Davidson, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson Counties, including communities such as Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Gallatin, Lebanon, and surrounding areas.
Divorce and family law matters can be challenging. Get the experienced legal support you need by Contacting Killen Law Online or Call/Text (615) 549-8117
Commonly Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Tennessee?
Tennessee law establishes minimum waiting periods before a divorce may be heard. Generally, the period is at least 60 days when the parties have no unmarried child under 18 and at least 90 days when they have an unmarried child under 18. The total time required to complete a divorce can be longer depending on the issues involved and whether the parties reach an agreement.
What is the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce generally involves spouses who are able to reach an agreement on the issues that must be resolved. A contested divorce involves one or more issues on which the spouses cannot agree and that may require negotiation, mediation, or court intervention.
What happens to property in a Tennessee divorce?
Property and debts may need to be addressed as part of the divorce. The circumstances surrounding the property, the marriage, and the parties’ financial interests can affect how those issues are handled.
Will child custody be decided as part of my divorce?
When a divorce involves children, the parents generally must address parenting and other child-related issues. The parents may reach an agreement, or the court may need to resolve any areas of disagreement.
How is child support handled in a divorce?
Child support may need to be addressed when parents divorce. The applicable Tennessee requirements and the circumstances of the parents and children determine how support is calculated and ordered.
What is an uncontested divorce in Tennessee?
An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses agree on the major issues involved in ending their marriage, including property, debts, support, and, when applicable, parenting issues. The required agreements and filings must still comply with Tennessee law.
What happens if my spouse will not participate in the divorce?
If your spouse does not participate in the divorce after being properly served, you may be able to proceed with a default divorce. The court must still follow applicable Tennessee procedures before entering a final divorce order.
Can I receive alimony in a Tennessee divorce?
Possibly. Whether alimony is awarded depends on the circumstances of the marriage and the financial needs and resources of both spouses. Tennessee law recognizes several types of alimony.