Clarksville Divorce Lawyers

Helping Clients Through Divorce in Tennessee Since 1929

We understand that deciding to file for divorce can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing. Our Clarksville divorce attorneys can help you navigate this part of your life and relieve some of the stress you may be left to deal with. A divorce does not have to consume your life.

Since 1929, the attorneys of Runyon & Runyon have advised their fellow community members in the Clarksville area about their most sensitive family law matters, including divorce. Runyon & Runyon emphasize the personal client attention necessary during a divorce.

The divorce attorneys help you consider your matter, not just in technical legal terms but with respect to real-world concerns. Runyon & Runyon regularly assists clients in understanding how the law operates, not only in the courtroom but also in the context of emotional and economic costs.

Are you going through a divorce in Tennessee? Call Runyon & Runyon today at (931) 805-4445 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our divorce attorney in Clarksville! 

Divorce Requirements in Tennessee

In Tennessee, one or both spouses must have lived in the state for at least six months before initiating the process to file for a divorce. Both parties must agree to the divorce and provide grounds for adultery or inappropriate marital conduct.

Obtaining a divorce in Tennessee requires filing several documents with the court and waiting for a judge’s final judgment. If both spouses can agree on property division, child support, custody, spousal support, visitation rights, and alimony, it is possible to file an uncontested divorce. However, the mutual agreement will require a contested hearing before a judge if any issues cannot be resolved.

Our experienced Clarksville family lawyers are here to help you navigate the complex rules and regulations of getting a divorce in Tennessee. We can assist you with everything from filing paperwork to representing your case during court proceedings. Contact us today for more information about our services.

In many cases, issues like dividing retirement accounts, business valuation, selling or keeping the marital home, and determining how to handle debts are just as important as the decision to end the marriage itself. A knowledgeable Clarksville Divorce Attorney can explain how state law applies to your specific circumstances and help you prepare for the procedures followed in the Montgomery County courts so you know what to expect at each stage.

How Long Does Divorce Take in Tennessee?

A no-fault, mutual-consent divorce takes around two to six months. If you had children in the marriage, there is a mandatory 60-day “cooling-off" period after you file. If you have children, your divorce will take at least 90 days.

A contested divorce in Tennessee, however, can last years. The average divorce case lasts a year or more. Additionally, if the couple agrees to divide a pension, it could take 60-180 days after the court grants the divorce to complete the property division.

Beyond these general timelines, how long your case takes will depend on factors such as how many issues are in dispute, the willingness of each spouse to exchange information, and how crowded the docket is at the Montgomery County Circuit Court. A divorce lawyer can help you understand whether mediation, negotiation, or other settlement options could shorten the process in your situation and reduce the amount of time you spend in court.

Is Tennessee a No-Fault Divorce State?

Tennessee is a no-fault divorce state, meaning neither spouse needs to provide evidence of misconduct or fault to get a divorce. This differs from a fault-based divorce, where one spouse must prove the other has done something wrong. In Tennessee, couples can file for an uncontested divorce if they agree on all relevant matters, such as property division, alimony, child support, and custody. Even if uncontested, all necessary paperwork must still be filed with the court to complete the process.

Examples of no-fault divorce include:

• Irreconcilable differences
• Living in separate residences
• Not cohabiting for at least 2 years

Does a Fault-Based Divorce Require More Evidence?

Tennessee’s approach to a no-fault divorce is termed “irreconcilable differences.” Yet state law also lists a number of fault-based grounds, such as impotence, adultery, abandonment, cruel and inhuman treatment, and other grounds.

Is the distinction between a divorce on fault or no-fault grounds significant? As a law firm that has helped many clients through both amicable and contentious divorces, the ground(s) stated in the divorce filing can make an impact.

• For starters, a fault-based divorce requires the court to hear evidence in support of the alleged ground before granting the divorce. That burden of proof does not apply in a no-fault divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
• Going the no-fault approach may also create an environment more favorable to producing settlement agreements. The process used to reach agreement on issues such as child custody, property division, debts, and/or support is not strictly specified. Whether parties informally met with their attorneys, requested a mediator, or enlisted a variety of collaborative law techniques, the end product generally must be a written settlement agreement.

After the parties’ agreements on the material divorce terms have been reduced to writing, the court will review the proposed settlement. That process generally includes a hearing where the judge may ask certain questions of each party. The purpose of that hearing is for the court to ensure that the negotiation process was fair. Typical safeguards generally include whether each party understands the proposed agreement and whether the terms blatantly or unduly take advantage of another party.

Understanding Contested And Uncontested Divorce Options

Many people starting the divorce process are unsure whether their case will be considered contested or uncontested and what that means for cost, time, and stress. An uncontested case usually involves spouses who can reach an agreement on all major issues through discussion or mediation, while a contested divorce requires the court to resolve one or more disputed matters. Knowing which path you are likely to follow can help you decide how to prepare, what information to gather, and whether it makes sense to focus first on negotiation or to plan for hearings at the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Clarksville.

In an uncontested divorce, spouses often work with their attorneys to draft a detailed settlement agreement that addresses property division, parenting plans, child support, and any spousal support. This agreement is then submitted to the court for review, and in many situations, only a brief appearance is required before the judge finalizes the divorce. By contrast, a contested divorce may involve formal discovery, motions, and multiple court dates, which can increase the emotional and financial strain on everyone involved and may require closer guidance from a divorce attorney to help you stay organized and focused on your goals.

Whether your case begins as contested or uncontested, circumstances can change over time, and you may move from one track to the other as you and your spouse work through difficult topics. A Clarksville divorce lawyer can help you evaluate proposals, understand what judges in the local courts commonly approve, and decide when it may be appropriate to compromise and when it may be better to let the court decide. Having this perspective early in the process allows you to approach negotiations with realistic expectations and a clearer sense of the options available under Tennessee law.

Our Approach to Divorce in Clarksville

The firm's strategic approach to divorce only succeeds because of the stability of the firm itself. Not only is the firm itself a family, but the firm's staff has been with it for roughly a decade.

Our divorce attorneys in Clarksville understand how to place the law within that larger context of everyday life for all its clients because it lives it out in its practice. For this reason, clients can depend on Runyon & Runyon for open and candid advice.

Clients often come to the firm with questions about what will happen to their daily routines, their relationships with their children, and their financial stability after the divorce is finalized. A dedicated divorce attorney can help you think through practical details such as parenting schedules around local school calendars, how to handle exchanges and communication, and how to create a plan that works in the long term rather than only for the short term during court proceedings.

This approach finds its expression, of course, in simple everyday actions such as:

• Promptly returning communications so clients are not left wondering about the status of their case or their next steps
• Having a human being answer the phone whenever possible and maximizing client access to the legal resources they need

Runyon & Runyon, therefore, provides its clients with a fully staffed and heavily experienced legal team capable of meeting these high expectations.

Contact Our Clarksville Divorce Attorneys Today

As a result, the firm's clients receive representation structured around their specific concerns and goals. This client-centered and results-driven orientation enables the clients to understand how best to allocate their emotional and economic resources during a divorce to maximize the likelihood of a satisfactory outcome, not just legally but for the family's well-being.

When you meet with a Clarksville divorce lawyer, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the process, potential timelines, and what documents you should gather before filing. The firm can also explain how Montgomery County judges typically handle issues like parenting plans and property division so you can make informed choices about negotiation, mediation, or litigation that fit your priorities.

Contact Runyon & Runyon today to schedule a FREE consultation with our divorce lawyer in Clarksville!