If you're reading this, you've probably already had the hardest conversation of your life, or you're bracing to have it. You're lying awake wondering who keeps the house, whether you'll still see your kids every week, and whether you can afford to protect yourself through all of it. Those fears are real, and you don't have to carry them alone.
At the Law Office of Amanda J. Gentry, we treat your family the way we'd want ours treated. We're a Nashville, Tennessee family law firm built on personal attention, not billboards and call centers. As a female divorce attorney who has spent years in Davidson County courts, Amanda handles everything from amicable, uncontested cases to contested and high-asset divorces, and she does it without judgment about how your marriage reached this point.
People searching for a divorce lawyer in Nashville are usually comparing a few names at once, trying to figure out who is both competent enough to protect them and human enough to trust. What sets us apart is the combination: the courtroom experience of a seasoned divorce attorney in Nashville, TN, paired with the steady, one-on-one guidance of a firm small enough to actually know your name.
Our job is to protect what matters to you and to lower the temperature of a frightening moment. When you're ready, schedule a confidential consultation or call (615) 604-6263.
Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee
Tennessee lets you end a marriage on either no-fault or fault-based grounds. Most cases proceed on irreconcilable differences, the no-fault option, which simply means the marriage can't be repaired and doesn't require blaming anyone. Tennessee also recognizes fault grounds such as adultery, inappropriate marital conduct (cruelty), abandonment, and habitual drunkenness or drug use.
Which path fits your situation matters more than many people realize, because fault can influence issues like property division and alimony. Tennessee does require that at least one spouse meet the state's residency rules before filing, and if the grounds for divorce arose outside Tennessee, a six-month residency period generally applies. If you're weighing your options, our guide to fault vs. no-fault grounds explains the trade-offs, and we'll help you choose the approach that best protects you.
Contested Divorce vs. Uncontested Divorce in Davidson County
Not every divorce is a battle. In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on the major issues, and the case moves faster and costs less. An uncontested divorce in Nashville can be one of the least painful ways to move forward when both people are willing to cooperate.
A contested divorce is different. When you can't agree on property, parenting, or support, the case requires negotiation, and sometimes a judge. Many contested cases still resolve without a trial through divorce mediation, which can save money, time, and emotional wear while keeping decisions in your hands rather than a court's. Whether your Davidson County divorce is amicable or hard-fought, we'll prepare it as though it could go to trial, which is often what produces a fair settlement.
How the Divorce Process Works: Step by Step
Uncertainty is its own kind of stress, so here's the shape of what happens. One spouse files a complaint for divorce and the other responds. Both sides exchange financial information, and temporary arrangements for support and parenting may be put in place while the case is pending. From there, the parties negotiate, often with mediation, and reach a marital dissolution agreement, or the unresolved issues go before a judge.
Tennessee also builds in a mandatory waiting period: at least 60 days from filing if you have no minor children, and at least 90 days if you do. For a fuller walkthrough of each stage, see our overview of the full Tennessee divorce process.
Having a divorce lawyer Nashville residents can reach directly, rather than through a wall of paralegals, means your questions get answered by someone who actually knows your family law case. Throughout, we keep you informed so you always know what's coming next.
Dividing Marital Property, Assets, and Debts
Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property and debts are divided fairly, though not always equally. Property acquired during the marriage is generally marital, while assets you owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance are usually separate. Courts weigh factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and economic circumstances.
The stakes rise quickly when significant assets are involved. A business, retirement accounts, real estate, and investments all demand careful valuation, which is why our approach to high-asset divorce focuses on getting the numbers right. Two questions come up constantly: who gets the house, and what to do when one spouse suspects the other is concealing money. If that's a worry for you, our discussion of hidden assets explains how they're uncovered. We make sure everything on the table is actually on the table.
Alimony and Spousal Support
Tennessee recognizes several forms of spousal support, ranging from short-term help while a spouse gets back on their feet to longer-term support after a lengthy marriage. Courts consider factors such as each spouse's earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and each person's financial need and ability to pay.
Because these decisions can shape your finances for years, they deserve careful, individualized advocacy. You can learn more about the options and the factors courts weigh in our overview of alimony in Tennessee, and we'll build a strategy suited to your circumstances, whether you expect to pay or to receive.
Child Custody and Parenting Plans
Nothing weighs heavier in a divorce than your children. Tennessee frames custody through a parenting plan that designates a primary residential parent and sets a residential schedule, always guided by the best interests of the child. Courts look at each parent's relationship with the child, stability, and ability to meet the child's needs.
We help parents craft realistic, workable plans and, when necessary, fight for the arrangement that truly serves their children. Custody is often the most emotional part of any family law case, and if it's contested, our experience as child custody attorneys means you'll have steady, protective representation at every step.
Child Support in a Tennessee Divorce
Tennessee calculates child support using state guidelines based on an income-shares model, which considers both parents' incomes and the amount of time the child spends with each. Additional costs such as health insurance and childcare factor in as well. The result is meant to keep the child's needs met after the household divides.
Getting the inputs right is essential, because errors can follow a family for years. We make sure your child support obligations are calculated accurately and fairly, whether you'll be paying or receiving.
Post-Divorce Modifications and Enforcement
A divorce decree isn't always the end of the story. Life keeps moving after the final decree, and the arrangements that made sense then may not fit later. When circumstances change substantially, such as a job loss, a relocation, a remarriage, or a change in a child's needs, custody, parenting time, and support orders can often be modified to reflect the new reality. And when a former spouse simply ignores a court order, whether by withholding support or violating the parenting plan, it can be enforced through the court. We help clients on both sides of these issues, so a decree that no longer fits your life, or one the other party won't follow, can be addressed rather than endured.
What Does a Nashville Divorce Lawyer Cost?
Cost is one of the biggest fears people bring to that first call, so we believe in being straightforward about it. As a divorce attorney Nashville TN families can actually reach and afford, Amanda would rather you understand the numbers than be surprised by them. Most divorce cases are billed at an hourly rate against an initial retainer, and the total depends heavily on complexity. An uncontested divorce with full agreement costs far less than a contested case involving custody disputes or complex assets. The more the two sides can agree on, the less the process tends to cost.
We work to be one of the more affordable family law options in Nashville without cutting corners on your protection, and we'll talk openly about fees and expectations up front. Finding the best family law attorney for your circumstances isn't about who charges the most or advertises the loudest; it's about who will genuinely fight for you at a price that makes sense. Your first consultation is confidential and free, and it gives us the chance to outline a realistic plan for your situation and budget before you commit to anything.
Schedule Your Confidential Consultation. Call Us Today
You don't have to face the worst season of your life on your own. We'll listen, explain your options in plain language, and stand between you and the chaos. Schedule a confidential consultation or call (615) 604-6263 today, and let us start protecting your family and your future.
Divorce FAQs
What Is a Wife Entitled to in Tennessee?
Tennessee law is gender-neutral, so neither spouse is automatically "entitled" to more because of their role in the marriage. Instead, a wife, like a husband, may be entitled to an equitable share of the marital property, possibly alimony depending on need and the other spouse's ability to pay, and child support if she is the primary residential parent. What that looks like in practice depends on the specific facts of your marriage and finances.
How Long Does It Take From Filing to Final Decree?
At a minimum, Tennessee requires a 60-day waiting period after filing when there are no minor children, or 90 days when there are. An uncontested divorce may conclude shortly after that window, while a contested case can take several months or longer, depending on the disputes involved and the court's schedule.
Do I Have to Go to Court?
Often, no. Many Nashville divorces settle through negotiation or mediation without a trial, and uncontested cases may require little or no courtroom time. If your case does require a judge, we'll prepare you thoroughly so you never feel caught off guard.
