{"id":376386,"date":"2020-07-14T09:10:38","date_gmt":"2020-07-14T14:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/divorce-in-tennessee-average-cost-and-time.html"},"modified":"2024-03-11T15:33:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T20:33:11","slug":"divorce-in-tennessee-average-cost-and-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/divorce-in-tennessee-average-cost-and-time.html","title":{"rendered":"Divorce in Tennessee: Average Cost and Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Divorce in Tennessee: Average Cost and Time<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In addition to the emotional cost, it’s expensive to get a divorce. The average cost of divorce in Tennessee<\/a> is around $10,000. This includes attorney’s fees and about $3,000 in additional expenses. This is slightly higher than the national average.<\/p>\r\n

You can expect to pay around $17,000 if you have alimony or property division issues. The highest average cost is about $20,000 for a divorce case involving child support<\/a> and custody matters.<\/p>\r\n

These prices can seem intimidating. The good news is that there are ways to keep the costs down if you and your spouse cooperate during the divorce process.<\/p>\r\n

How Much Are Divorce Filing Fees in Tennessee?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Filing fees for a divorce case in Tennessee, called a complaint for divorce, are anywhere from $184 to $301<\/a>. The costs depend on whether you have children and if you require the sheriff to serve the divorce papers on your spouse.<\/p>\r\n

Either you or your divorce attorney must file your divorce petition with your local Tennessee court. You must also pay the requisite filing fee. Once you do this, the family court judge will set a hearing date for your divorce.<\/p>\r\n

Tennessee law has a 60-day or 90-day waiting period<\/a> for divorce. You must wait this long for the judge to schedule your divorce hearing.<\/p>\r\n

During this time, your attorney will try to negotiate the following issues outside of court:<\/p>\r\n