How to Divorce Without a Lawyer in Chattanooga, TN: The Real DIY Guide

You're sitting in your car outside Panera on Gunbarrel Road Googling "how to file for divorce myself" because you just looked at how much Chattanooga lawyers charge and there's no way you can afford $5,000 right now.

Or maybe you can afford it but you're thinking "why would I pay someone $300 an hour to file paperwork when my spouse and I already agree on everything?"

Here's the truth: a lot of Chattanooga divorces don't need lawyers. But "don't need" and "easy" are two different things. Tennessee divorce forms are complicated. And just because you can file yourself doesn't mean you should if there's real money or kids involved.

This is the guide I wish someone had given me—what actually works, what'll mess you up, and when you need to just hire a lawyer.

Can You Actually Do This Yourself?

Yes. Tennessee lets you file for divorce without a lawyer. It's called filing "pro se"—Latin for "you're on your own."

Hamilton County Courthouse processes hundreds of DIY divorces. You're not the first person who looked at $8,000 in lawyer fees and said "absolutely not."

But DIY divorce only works if you and your spouse agree on basically everything. And I mean everything. Who gets the Nissan. Who's keeping the furniture. How you're splitting the Regions Bank account. What happens to that house you bought in Red Bank.

If you're fighting about any of it, DIY probably won't work.

When DIY Divorce Actually Makes Sense

You're a good candidate if:

You both agree it's over. Nobody's trying to "work on it" or stalling because they think you'll change your mind.

No kids under 18. Once custody enters the picture, things get complicated. Tennessee has specific requirements for Permanent Parenting Plans. Mess it up and you're back in court fixing it.

Your assets are simple. Maybe you rent. Maybe you own a house but you've already agreed what to do with it. No pensions, businesses, rental properties, or complicated retirement accounts.

You've been married less than 10 years. Longer marriages often involve more complicated property and possible alimony issues.

Income is similar. If one of you makes $80k at BlueCross and the other makes $30k, spousal support comes up. That's complicated.

Nobody's hiding anything. You both know what accounts exist, what's in them, what things are worth. No secret credit cards or hidden money.

You can talk to each other. You don't have to be friends. But you need to be able to have a conversation about paperwork without it becoming World War III.

If all that's true, DIY might work. If even one or two things don't fit—especially kids or money—you probably need help.

The Tennessee Divorce Process (What You're Filing)

Here's what you're dealing with:

1. Complaint for Divorce. This starts everything. One person (Plaintiff) files this and pays the filing fee.

2. Summons. Goes with the Complaint. Tells your spouse they're being served.

3. Answer (if your spouse files one). If you agree, they might not file an Answer. If they disagree, they have 30 days to respond.

4. Marital Dissolution Agreement. This spells out who gets what, how you're dividing everything, whether there's spousal support. This is the most important document.

5. Permanent Parenting Plan (if you have kids). Required. Details custody schedule, decision-making, child support, everything about the kids.

6. Final Decree of Divorce. The judge signs this. Makes your divorce official.

7. Certificate of Divorce. Filed with Tennessee Department of Health after the divorce is final.

Tennessee also requires a 60-day waiting period from when your spouse is served until the divorce can be finalized. You're waiting 60 days minimum even if everything's perfect.

The Filing Fee Reality

Filing in Hamilton County costs $308.50. That's just to file the papers.

Can't afford it? File for a fee waiver. Show your income and expenses. If you're on SNAP or your income is low enough, the court waives it.

A lot of people don't know this exists. They think $308.50 is required no matter what. It's not if you qualify for the waiver.

The Actual Paperwork (It's Complicated)

Tennessee Judicial forms are free online. You can also get them at Hamilton County Courthouse (625 Georgia Avenue).

For an uncontested divorce with no kids, you're filling out:

• Complaint for Divorce

• Summons

• Marital Dissolution Agreement

• Final Decree

• Certificate of Divorce

With kids, add:

• Permanent Parenting Plan

• Child Support Worksheet

• Income verification forms

Each form has instructions. The problem? They're written in legal language. You don't just fill in blanks—you have to understand what you're actually agreeing to.

Most people start DIY, get stuck on the Marital Dissolution Agreement trying to figure out how to properly describe dividing retirement accounts, and end up hiring a lawyer to fix it. Now you've wasted three weeks and you're paying the lawyer more because they're cleaning up your mistakes.

Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee

Tennessee requires grounds for divorce. Most people use:

Irreconcilable differences: You both agree the marriage is broken and can't be fixed. This is the easiest. Both of you have to agree to use this ground.

Inappropriate marital conduct: This is vague enough to cover a lot. You don't need to prove anything specific if you're using this.

Adultery: If someone cheated. But you need proof. Tennessee is a fault state—adultery can affect property division and alimony.

For DIY divorce, use irreconcilable differences if you can. It's cleanest. No proof needed. No blame. Just "this isn't working."

Serving Your Spouse (Yes, This Is Required)

Tennessee law says you can't serve divorce papers yourself. Someone else over 18 who isn't you has to do it.

Options:

A friend or relative. Free, but they have to fill out an affidavit saying they served your spouse.

Process server. Costs $40-$100 in Chattanooga. They know what they're doing.

Sheriff's office. Usually around $50. Takes longer but it's official.

If you and your spouse are cooperating, they can sign an Acceptance of Service. That's easiest. They're acknowledging they got the papers. No process server needed.

Your spouse has 30 days to respond. If they don't respond and you did everything right, you can get a default divorce.

The Marital Dissolution Agreement (This Is Where DIY Breaks Down)

This is the legal document where you spell out everything. If you mess this up, you're in trouble later.

It needs to cover:

Property division. Every asset. Every debt. The house. Cars. Bank accounts. Retirement. Furniture. Who gets what.

Spousal support. If anyone's paying it, how much, how long.

Debt responsibility. Who's paying which credit cards, loans, mortgages.

Name changes. If someone's going back to their maiden name.

Tennessee is an equitable distribution state—property gets divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. "Equitable" means the court looks at factors like length of marriage, who contributed what, who makes more money.

If your agreement has gaps or is unclear, a judge might fill them in ways you don't like. Or you're back in court later arguing about what you actually meant.

You can find templates online. The problem? Templates might not cover your specific situation. Tennessee law on property division is particular. Miss something and it could cost you thousands.

The Permanent Parenting Plan (If You Have Kids)

If you have kids under 18, Tennessee requires a Permanent Parenting Plan. This is detailed. Really detailed.

It covers:

Residential schedule. Which parent has the child on which days. Weekdays, weekends, holidays, summer, school breaks—all of it.

Decision-making authority. Who decides about school, medical care, religion, extracurriculars.

Child support. Tennessee has a formula based on both parents' incomes and residential time.

Transportation. Who drives for exchanges.

Communication. Phone calls, video chats with the other parent.

You can't be vague. "Reasonable visitation" doesn't work in Tennessee. You need specifics. Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-7pm. Every other weekend Friday 6pm to Sunday 6pm. Exactly which holidays.

If you get this wrong, you're back in court constantly fighting about what you actually agreed to.

Most people with kids should not DIY this part. Custody is too important to mess up.

What Could Go Wrong (The Horror Stories)

You divide property wrong. Tennessee's equitable distribution rules are specific. If you don't understand what's marital property versus separate property, you might give up stuff you're entitled to.

Tax implications. Selling the house, dividing accounts, spousal support—all affects your taxes. What seems fair might destroy you in April.

You agree to something unfair because you don't know better. Tennessee law entitles you to equitable distribution. If you agree to less because you just want it over with, you're giving up potentially thousands of dollars.

Your spouse lies on financial disclosure. You file everything honestly. They "forget" accounts. Divorce goes through. Two years later you find out. Now you're hiring a lawyer to reopen it.

Parenting plan is too vague. You wrote "reasonable visitation." Now you're fighting about what "reasonable" means every week.

You don't file all required forms. The judge doesn't sign off. Your divorce isn't actually final. You think you're divorced but legally you're still married.

When to Give Up and Hire a Lawyer

Be honest with yourself. You probably need help if:

• You're fighting about custody or support

• You own a house or property

• There are retirement accounts or pensions

• One person makes way more than the other

• You're not sure what accounts exist or what they're worth

• Your spouse has a lawyer and you don't

• There's been domestic violence

• You've tried DIY and you're completely lost

A lot of people start DIY, realize three months in they're in over their head, and hire a lawyer to fix it. That costs more than hiring them from the start.

If you get three months into this and your paperwork's messed up, the lawyer has to fix it before moving forward. You're paying for that time.

Using Divorce.com for Chattanooga Divorces

If your divorce is truly uncontested but you don't want to figure out Tennessee forms yourself, Divorce.com is a middle option.

You pay a flat fee (way less than a lawyer). They walk you through Tennessee forms with normal questions. They make sure everything's filled out right for Hamilton County. They tell you how to file and serve.

This works great if you both agree on everything and you just need help with paperwork logistics.

It doesn't work if you're fighting about anything. It's not legal advice. They're not going to tell you if your agreement is fair under Tennessee law. They help with forms.

The Self-Help Center at Hamilton County Courthouse

Hamilton County Courthouse has resources for people filing themselves.

They can:

• Give you forms

• Explain how forms work generally

• Tell you what you need to file

• Explain court procedures

They cannot:

• Give you legal advice

• Tell you what to write on forms

• Tell you if you're getting a fair deal

• Fill out forms for you

• Recommend lawyers

They're court staff, not lawyers. They know procedures. They can't advise you on whether your settlement is fair.

The 60-Day Wait (Yes, Really)

Tennessee requires 60 days from when your spouse is served until your divorce can be finalized.

Doesn't matter if you filed yesterday and you both agree on everything. You're waiting 60 days minimum.

If you have minor children, the waiting period is longer—you have to wait until after you've completed a parenting class, which takes a few weeks to schedule.

Some people think this is Tennessee giving you time to reconcile. Maybe. More likely it's just how the law works.

What Happens After You File

You file your Complaint and pay the fee. Your spouse gets served. They either file an Answer or don't.

If they don't respond (and you did everything right), you can get a default divorce after 30 days.

If they do respond and you both agree, you file your Marital Dissolution Agreement and Parenting Plan with the court.

If everything's correct and you're past the 60-day mark (or longer if you have kids), the judge reviews your paperwork. If it looks fair and complete, they sign the Final Decree.

You get your filed Final Decree. File the Certificate of Divorce with the state. You're divorced.

In reality, there's usually at least one thing wrong with the paperwork. The court sends a rejection saying fix something. You fix it and refile. This is normal and frustrating.

Uncontested DIY divorces in Chattanooga typically take 3-6 months from filing to final decree.

The Real Cost of DIY

If you use Divorce.com: $500-$800 for service plus $308.50 filing. Total around $850-$1,100.

If you truly do it yourself: $308.50 filing plus maybe $50 for process server. Total $400-$500.

If you mess it up and hire a lawyer to fix it: Add another $2,000-$5,000.

Compare that to hiring a Chattanooga lawyer from the start: $2,500-$6,000 for an uncontested divorce.

DIY saves you money if you do it right. If you do it wrong, it costs more.

What About Mediation?

Some Chattanooga couples use a mediator even though they're filing themselves.

A mediator helps you work through disagreements. They're neutral. They help you reach agreements.

Mediation costs $200-$350/hour in Chattanooga. Split it. Usually takes 3-5 sessions.

Total: $600-$1,750 per person for mediation, then you file the paperwork yourself or use Divorce.com.

Still cheaper than each of you hiring lawyers to fight it out.

The Honest Reality Check

Most people who successfully DIY their divorce in Chattanooga are:

• Married less than 10 years

• No kids

• Rent or have agreed on the house

• Both working with similar incomes

• Assets under $100k total

• Actually able to talk without fighting

If that's you, DIY is doable.

If you've been married 18 years, you own a house in Signal Mountain, you have two kids, and one of you has a 401k worth $200k—you need a lawyer. I'm sorry. I know it's expensive. But you're going to mess something up that costs you way more than lawyer fees.

The Bottom Line

Can you divorce without a lawyer in Chattanooga? Yes.

Should you? Depends.

If you both genuinely agree on everything and your situation is simple, DIY or Divorce.com can save you thousands.

If there's any complexity—kids, houses, retirement accounts, income differences—you need help at some point. Maybe just a consultation. Maybe full representation.

The courthouse resources help. Use them. They've seen every possible DIY mistake.

Don't DIY just because you're scared of lawyer costs. DIY because your situation actually fits it. Otherwise you're spending the money anyway, just later with more stress.

Be honest about what you're dealing with. Then make the smart choice for your situation.