Divorce can drastically change a person’s financial circumstances and daily life. Those who have grown apart from their spouses or experienced significant marital misconduct may prefer to file for divorce rather than to remain married.
Frequently, people who have decided to divorce want to complete the process as quickly as possible. Understanding the average timeline for a divorce in Tennessee can help people prepare themselves.
Divorce generally requires at least a few months to complete, and family circumstances directly influence the timeline. What is the fastest people can divorce in Tennessee?
Divorce takes at least two to three months
Tennessee imposes a waiting period or cooling-off period after one spouse files for divorce. Even in scenarios where the spouses have an ironclad prenuptial agreement or pursue an uncontested divorce where they have set their own terms, the process generally takes at least two months.
When spouses do not have children together, they must wait at least 60 days before the courts can finalize their divorce. Divorcing parents with minor children generally have to wait at least 90 days before the courts finalize the divorce.
In either case, conflict and the need to litigate can significantly increase the overall divorce timeline. Spouses who settle everything amicably may not need to wait as long as those who have to litigate in front of a judge, as there are limited hearings available for litigated divorces.
Approaching the divorce process with realistic expectations can help people avoid becoming frustrated by the process. While some couples can divorce in a few months, it is relatively common for a divorce to take longer.