Chattanooga Uncontested Divorce Lawyer

Hassle-Free Divorce Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

In Tennessee, when a married couple agrees to divorce due to irreconcilable differences, this is considered an uncontested or “no-fault” divorce. While these proceedings are usually faster and easier than contested divorces, you will still benefit from having an uncontested divorce attorney advocating. At Conner & Roberts, PLLC, we offer low-cost, uncontested divorces. Ask us about our flexible payment options. 

Call Conner & Roberts, PLLC, today at (423) 299-4489  or contact us online to schedule a FREE consultation with our Chattanooga uncontested divorce attorney!

Protecting Your Rights During an Uncontested Divorce

Our Tennessee divorce lawyers, Amelia Roberts, and Lisa Conner, have nearly 40 years of combined legal experience helping men and women throughout the Tennessee Valley with their uncontested divorces. As with a contested divorce, which requires proof of grounds for divorce, important decisions must be made before a marital settlement agreement can be reached.

The settlement agreement will involve significant divorce issues, including the following:

• Property division
• Spousal support/alimony
• Child support
• Child custody and visitation

In an uncontested divorce, agreements for these issues will be reached outside the court. The uncontested process can ensure you and the other party move forward as amicably as possible, ensuring the emotional strain on you and your children is minimized.

Additionally, an uncontested divorce is typically less expensive and takes less time than a contested divorce.

Filing for an Uncontested Divorce in TN

As we mentioned, before filing for an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse must agree on terms for all divorce-related processes, such as property division, child and spousal support, and child custody.

To file for an uncontested or simplified divorce in Tennessee:

• You can't have minor children together with your spouse, and neither spouse can be pregnant;
• You must agree to end the marriage;
• You must not share a business or have retirement benefits to divide;
• You must draft an agreement detailing how you intend to handle alimony and property division;
• One spouse needs to have been a Tennessee resident for at least six months before filing.

How to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Tennessee

To file for an uncontested divorce, one party (the petitioner") must file a Request for Divorce form with their local courthouse. In addition to the Request, they must provide other information, such as their spouse's information, a notice from their health insurance, and the Divorce Agreement they signed with their spouse detailing the terms of their divorce. The other party (the "respondent") can waive their right to respond, enabling the court to proceed with the divorce more quickly.

If you don't share children with your spouse, you must wait at least 60 days to finalize your divorce. If you share children, that period is extended to 90 days so you can finalize child custody and support details with your spouse.

A court will assess your divorce agreement. Assuming the court approves the agreement and both parties testify for its integrity, the court will issue a Final Decree of Divorce and Notice of Hearing, finalizing the divorce. The parties can then file the Decree and Notice with the other forms to formally document the divorce and legally dissolve their marriage.

What Are the Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce?

Filing for an uncontested divorce has a multitude of benefits.

• It's often thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper than filing for a contested divorce. You'll spend significantly less time in the courtroom and debating over terms for processes such as property division, drastically reducing the overall expense of the divorce process.
• It's usually faster than a contested divorce. Because you're reducing the time you spend in court and arguing with your soon-to-be ex, you can finalize your divorce in just a few months - in contrast, contested divorces can drag on for years.
• An uncontested divorce can help preserve your emotional well-being. Most people find that amicably negotiating with their spouse is much less stressful than engaging in a combative battle in the courtroom. As a result, many people leave uncontested divorces feeling not only satisfied with the outcome of their case but also optimistic about what the future may hold.

How to File for Uncontested Divorce if You Do Not Agree on Everything

If you wish to file for an uncontested divorce but don't agree with your spouse on all the details of your case, you may want to consider utilizing a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) such as mediation or collaborative law.

In mediation, a mediator acts as a third-party liaison, helping the parties communicate and hopefully reach an agreement. However, they cannot offer legal advice - you must hire a mediation attorney.

In collaborative law, the parties remove the mediator from the equation, instead meeting face to face to discuss issues over a series of meetings with help from their uncontested divorce lawyers.

When an Uncontested Divorce May NOT Be Right for You

While an uncontested divorce is often the quickest and most cost-effective option, it is not always the best choice. Here are some situations where a contested divorce may be necessary to protect your rights and interests:

• Disagreements on Major Issues: If you and your spouse cannot agree on key matters such as property division, child custody, alimony, or debt allocation, an uncontested divorce may not be possible. Even a single unresolved issue can lead to a contested divorce, requiring court intervention. In such cases, mediation or legal representation may be needed to reach a fair settlement.
• Domestic Abuse or Power Imbalance: If there has been a history of domestic violence, emotional abuse, or manipulation, an uncontested divorce may put you at a disadvantage. A power imbalance can lead to unfair agreements, where one spouse pressures the other into unfavorable terms. If you feel unsafe or unable to negotiate fairly, seeking legal counsel or protective measures is crucial. The court can help ensure your rights are protected in a contested divorce.
• Complex Assets and Financial Matters: If you and your spouse share businesses, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, real estate, or significant debts, dividing assets fairly can be complicated. An uncontested divorce may not allow for a thorough assessment of financial entitlements, and one party could end up with an unfair share. In such cases, hiring an attorney or financial expert is advisable to ensure proper valuation and equitable distribution of assets.
• Hidden Assets or Dishonesty:  If you suspect your spouse is hiding assets, underreporting income, or being dishonest about financial matters, an uncontested divorce may not provide the necessary legal oversight. A contested divorce allows for financial discovery, where attorneys can investigate assets and ensure a fair settlement.
• Child Custody and Support Disputes: If you have children and cannot agree on custody arrangements, visitation schedules, or child support payments, an uncontested divorce is not suitable. Courts prioritize the best interests of the child, and a judge may need to step in if parents disagree on parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, or financial contributions.
• One Spouse is Unwilling to Cooperate: If your spouse refuses to communicate, delays signing documents, or actively tries to prevent the divorce, an uncontested process is not feasible. In such cases, filing for a contested divorce allows legal action to proceed even if one party is uncooperative.

Work With the Best Divorce Lawyer You Can

Our divorce attorneys have been named as some of the best, not just in Chattanooga but in all of TN, winning the following awards:

• Lawyers of Distinction, 2021
• Best of the Best Top 10 Family Law Attorneys, 2020
• Martindale-Hubbell® Client Champion, 2021-2022
• Best Business of 2021 from ThreeBest Rated
• Best Divorce Lawyers in Chattanooga from Expertise, 2021
• Attorney and Practice Magazine's Top 10 Female Family Lawyer, 2021
• Chattanooga's Official People's Choice Awards Best of the Best, 2020-2021

Our award-winning lawyers can help you feel more confident about the road ahead, and we can help you better plan for some of the changes likely to occur years later. While it may be tempting to handle your divorce independently, our firm is here to help you get the best possible outcome.

Streamline Your Divorce Process with Online Tools

At Conner & Roberts, PLLC, we understand that going through a divorce can be a stressful and emotional time. That's why we offer online tools and resources to help streamline the uncontested divorce process for our clients in Chattanooga, TN. Our user-friendly platform allows you to fill out forms, submit documents, and communicate with your attorney conveniently from the comfort of your own home.

With our online tools, you can:

• Complete necessary paperwork efficiently
• Track the progress of your case in real-time
• Upload and share important documents securely
• Receive updates and notifications from your attorney

By utilizing our online resources, you can simplify the uncontested divorce process and focus on moving forward with your life. Contact our Chattanooga uncontested divorce attorney today to learn more about how our online tools can benefit your case.

Contact Our Chattanooga Uncontested Divorce Attorney Today

Whatever you choose, filing for an uncontested divorce could enable you to achieve the short and long-term results you deserve from the dissolution of your marriage.

With Conner & Roberts, PLLC on your side, you can feel confident that your interests are upheld and that your future is protected throughout the process.   

Contact Conner & Roberts, PLLC, today at (423) 299-4489 to schedule your FREE divorce consultation with our uncontested divorce lawyer in Chattanooga!