How Much Does Divorce Cost in Nashville, TN (2025) | Filing Fees & Attorney Rates

Understanding divorce costs in Nashville helps you plan financially during an already difficult transition. From filing fees to attorney rates, knowing what to expect allows you to make informed decisions about your divorce path.

Nashville Divorce Filing Fees

In Nashville (Davidson County), the filing fee for a divorce without minor children is $184.50 or $226.50, depending on whether you have the sheriff's office serve the divorce papers. For divorces with minor children, the filing fee is $259.50 or $301.50.

These fees are paid when you file your initial complaint for divorce with the Circuit or Chancery Court. The clerk assigns your case a number, officially starting the divorce process.

Fee Waiver Options

If you cannot afford the filing fee due to financial hardship, Tennessee allows you to file a Request to Postpone Filing Fees and Order. The court evaluates your financial situation to determine eligibility for a fee waiver.

Average Attorney Costs in Nashville

The average hourly rate for family law attorneys in Tennessee is $287 per hour, though rates in bigger cities like Nashville tend to be higher than other parts of Tennessee. Attorney fees typically range from $200 to $400 per hour, depending on the attorney's experience and case complexity.

Retainer Fees

Most attorneys require a retainer fee upfront, which typically runs between $2,000-$5,000 in Tennessee. This down payment secures your attorney's services, and they bill against it as they work on your case.

Total Divorce Costs by Type

Uncontested Divorce: $1,000 - $3,000

An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms generally costs $1,000 to $3,000 in attorney fees. This is the most affordable option when you and your spouse can reach agreements without court intervention.

What's included:

• Filing fees

• Basic legal document preparation

• Court processing

• Minimal attorney time for paperwork

Agreed Divorce (No Children, No Property): $184 - $500

The fastest and cheapest divorce in Tennessee is an agreed divorce, only available to couples without minor children who do not own property. For DIY divorces, costs are primarily limited to filing fees and document preparation services, ranging from $100 to $500.

Mediated Divorce: $3,000 - $10,000

Mediation costs in Tennessee generally range from $150 to $300 per hour, with total mediation costs typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the number of sessions required. Combined with attorney fees for representation during mediation, total costs typically fall between $3,000-$10,000.

Contested Divorce: $5,000 - $35,000+

According to USA Today, the average cost of divorce in Tennessee is $12,600 for cases without children and $18,900 for divorces involving children. For contested divorces with complex issues, attorney fees can range from $10,000 to over $35,000.

In Tennessee, it's common for individuals to spend around $10,000 on their attorney for a contested divorce, though it can easily be much more.

High-conflict divorces may involve:

• Extended attorney hours at $200-$400/hour

• Discovery proceedings and depositions

• Multiple court hearings

• Expert witnesses (property appraisers, forensic accountants, therapists)

• Child custody evaluations

• Trial preparation and court time

What Affects Your Divorce Cost?

Complexity of Assets

Dividing straightforward assets like bank accounts and vehicles is less expensive than splitting business interests, real estate portfolios, retirement accounts, or investment properties. Complex asset division often requires expert appraisals and financial analysis.

Child Custody and Support

Divorces involving children cost significantly more due to parenting plan negotiations, custody arrangements, and child support calculations. In Tennessee, divorcing parents are required to take a co-parenting seminar as part of their parenting plan, with costs varying by county.

Level of Conflict

The fundamental cost driver is whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. Every disagreement requires additional attorney time for negotiations, court filings, and hearings. The $287 hourly rate has less impact than whether a lawyer spends 10 hours or 50 hours working on your case.

At-Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce

If you file for an at-fault divorce, you should expect to pay significantly more. Proving fault requires witness testimony, evidence gathering, and extended court time. Tennessee allows for no-fault divorces on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences," meaning neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing.

Ways to Reduce Divorce Costs in Nashville

Choose uncontested or mediated divorce - Litigation is time-consuming and expensive. If you have to go to trial over one or more issues it could add thousands of dollars to your expenses. Mediation and collaborative divorce provide more affordable dispute resolution.

Work out details privately when possible - Try to work out the details on your own. Household items might not be as important so you could potentially divide some things without the court's input.

Get organized before meeting your attorney - Gather financial documents, tax returns, asset lists, and debt information beforehand. The less time your attorney spends collecting information, the lower your bill.

Communicate efficiently - Use email for routine questions rather than calling for every update. Be concise and prepared for meetings.

File no-fault when possible - Unless proving fault is essential to your case, no-fault divorces are faster and less expensive.

Consider limited scope representation - Hire an attorney for specific tasks rather than full representation to reduce overall costs.

Apply for fee waivers - You may qualify for court fee waivers if you meet income requirements.

Divorce.com: A Cost-Effective Alternative

Traditional divorce in Nashville can easily cost $10,000-$35,000+ per spouse. Divorce.com offers a streamlined alternative that helps couples complete their divorce for significantly less.

Benefits of Divorce.com:

• Transparent, upfront pricing with no hourly billing

• Comprehensive online platform accessible anytime

• Professional mediation support to resolve disagreements peacefully

• Case managers to guide you through the process

• We file documents with the court on your behalf

• Compliant with all Tennessee divorce requirements

• Receive divorce paperwork in as little as 2 business days

Divorce.com reduces the time, cost, and trauma typically associated with divorce while ensuring all legal requirements are properly met.

Timeline for Nashville Divorces

An uncontested divorce without minor children can be finalized in as little as 60 days after filing. If minor children are involved, there is a 90-day waiting period. A contested divorce can take 6 months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the case and the court's schedule.

These waiting periods are mandatory under Tennessee law, even if both spouses agree on everything.

Additional Divorce Expenses to Consider

Beyond attorney fees and filing costs, budget for:

Service of process - Serving divorce papers generally costs an additional $40 to $75

Court costs - Additional fees for motions, hearings, and court time

Co-parenting classes - Required in Tennessee for divorcing parents, with costs varying by county and sometimes offered on a sliding scale

Expert services - Appraisers, accountants, therapists, and custody evaluators

Certified copies - Certified copies of your divorce decree generally cost between $10 and $20

Moving and housing expenses - Deposits, furniture, and establishing separate residences

Tennessee Divorce Requirements

Either spouse must have lived in Tennessee for at least 6 months before filing, or if the grounds for divorce occurred in Tennessee, you may file immediately if you live in the state.

You must file your Complaint for Divorce with the Circuit or Chancery Court in the county where either you or your spouse resides.

Property Division in Tennessee

Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided in a manner the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal. The court considers factors including marriage length, each spouse's financial situation, and contributions to the marriage when dividing assets.

Do You Need a Divorce Attorney?

Divorce laws in Tennessee do not require that you hire an attorney. You can file a civil complaint against anyone at any time. The divorce process is complex, and the various forms and filing dates can trip up even the most careful person.

While self-representation and uncontested divorce are always options, they aren't great choices for the average couple. Family law is complicated and nuanced. On your own, it's incredibly easy to give up essential rights that can be expensive—even impossible—to reverse.

Consider legal help if:

• You and your spouse cannot agree on custody or support

• Significant assets or complex property division is involved

• There's a history of domestic violence or substance abuse

• You suspect your spouse is hiding assets

• You're unsure about legal procedures or your rights

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Nashville?

Filing fees in Nashville (Davidson County) range from $184.50 to $301.50 depending on whether you have minor children and whether you use the sheriff's office to serve papers. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the filing fee.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Nashville?

The most affordable option is an agreed divorce for couples without children or property, costing just the filing fee plus minimal document preparation costs ($184-$500 total). For other situations, an uncontested divorce using an online service like Divorce.com costs significantly less than hiring attorneys for both spouses.

How long does a divorce take in Nashville, TN?

Tennessee requires a 60-day waiting period for divorces without children and 90 days with children. Uncontested divorces typically finalize within these minimum timeframes, while contested divorces take 6-12 months or longer depending on complexity and court scheduling.

Can I get a free divorce in Nashville?

While divorce isn't completely free, you can request a fee waiver if you receive public benefits, have a low income, or cannot afford basic necessities and court fees. Fee waivers cover filing fees but not attorney costs.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Nashville?

Tennessee law doesn't require an attorney for divorce. However, legal representation is recommended for contested divorces, complex asset division, or cases involving domestic violence. Services like Divorce.com provide guidance and mediation support without traditional attorney costs.

How much do divorce attorneys charge in Nashville?

Nashville divorce attorneys typically charge $200 to $400 per hour, with an average around $287 per hour. Retainer fees usually range from $2,000 to $5,000 upfront. Total attorney costs average $10,000-$12,000 for a standard divorce but can exceed $35,000 for highly contested cases.

What is an agreed divorce in Tennessee?

An agreed divorce is the fastest and cheapest option available only to couples without minor children who don't own property. If there are no children to discuss and no property to divide, the paperwork is relatively simple and costs are minimal.

Does it cost more to get divorced with children in Tennessee?

Yes, divorces involving children cost more due to parenting plan development, custody arrangements, child support calculations, and required co-parenting classes. Average costs with children are around $18,900 compared to $12,600 without children.

How can I reduce my divorce costs in Nashville?

Choose mediation over litigation, work out minor details privately, organize documents before meeting attorneys, communicate efficiently via email, file no-fault when possible, consider limited scope representation, and apply for fee waivers if eligible. The faster you reach agreements, the less you'll spend.

Is Tennessee a 50/50 divorce state?

No, Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. The court divides marital property in a manner it considers fair based on various factors, which may not result in a 50/50 split.

Ready to start your divorce with transparent pricing and professional support? Divorce.com provides everything you need to complete your Nashville divorce efficiently and affordably. Get started today and take control of your divorce process.