"How long is this going to take?" is one of the first questions people ask when they decide to get divorced. In Tennessee, the honest answer depends mostly on one thing: whether you and your spouse agree.
This guide explains the waiting period the law requires, what slows a divorce down, and what you can do to keep yours moving.
The short answer: An uncontested divorce in Tennessee can't be granted until the papers have been on file for 60 days if you don't have minor children together (90 days if you do). Most uncontested divorces without children are final in about two to three months. A contested divorce, where spouses can't agree, often takes many months, and a year or more is common.
How long does a divorce take in Tennessee?
Here's how the most common situations compare:
| Your situation | Required wait after filing | Typical total time |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no minor children | 60 days | About 2 to 3 months |
| Uncontested, with minor children | 90 days | About 3 to 4 months |
| Contested (you can't agree) | Depends on the case | Often 6 months to a year or more |
Tennessee's 60-day waiting period
Tennessee law says a divorce on the ground of irreconcilable differences, the state's no-fault ground, can't be heard until the complaint has been on file for at least 60 days. If you and your spouse have children together who are under 18, the wait is 90 days.
The clock starts on the day the papers are filed with the court, not the day you decide to divorce or the day you sign. That's why the fastest divorces are the ones where the papers are prepared correctly and filed quickly. Every week spent going back and forth before filing is a week added to the total.
You don't need to do anything during the waiting period. The time simply has to pass before the judge can sign the final decree.
Why an uncontested divorce is so much faster
In an uncontested divorce in Tennessee, you and your spouse have already agreed on how to divide your property and debts and whether there will be alimony. Your agreement is written into a Marital Dissolution Agreement, both of you sign it in front of a notary, and the papers are filed. After the waiting period, the judge reviews the agreement and signs the Final Decree of Divorce.
There are no court battles to schedule, no depositions and no trial. For most couples without children, the only real waiting is the 60 days the law requires.
What slows a divorce down
These are the most common reasons a divorce takes longer than it should:
- Not agreeing on everything. Even one open issue, like who keeps the house or a vehicle, can turn a simple case into a contested one.
- A spouse who won't sign or can't be found. Without both signatures, the case can't move forward as an uncontested divorce.
- Mistakes in the paperwork. When people do it themselves, we often see papers sent back for a missing form, the wrong county, or an agreement the judge won't approve. Each mistake means refiling and another trip to the courthouse, and sometimes the 60-day clock starts over.
- Delays in signing. Papers that sit on a kitchen counter for weeks before they're signed and notarized don't count toward the waiting period.
- A busy court calendar. Each county runs on its own schedule, and some courts take longer than others to finalize cases.
Can you speed up a divorce in Tennessee?
You can't skip the 60-day waiting period, but you can make sure nothing adds to it:
- Settle everything before you file. Agree on the house, vehicles, accounts, debts and alimony first.
- Gather your information early. Dates of marriage and separation, addresses, and a list of your property and debts make the paperwork quick.
- Get the papers right the first time. Papers prepared by a licensed Tennessee attorney avoid the rejections and refiling that cost people weeks.
- Sign and notarize promptly. The sooner the papers are signed, the sooner they're filed and the clock starts.
- Answer questions quickly. If the attorney's office needs a detail, a fast reply keeps everything on track.
How long does a contested divorce take in Tennessee?
A contested divorce is one where the spouses can't agree on one or more issues. These cases take longer because each side may need time to exchange financial information, attend mediation, file motions and, if they still can't agree, go to trial. Depending on the county and how many issues are in dispute, a contested divorce often takes many months, and a year or more is common.
If you're facing a contested divorce or have minor children together, you can request a free consultation with a Tennessee divorce attorney.
When is a divorce final in Tennessee?
Your divorce is final when the judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce. Until then, you're still legally married. Once you have the decree, get a certified copy for your records. You'll need it to update your name, retitle vehicles or the house, and change beneficiaries.
How our service keeps your divorce moving
With our online uncontested divorce service, you answer the questions in our online divorce interview whenever it suits you. A licensed Tennessee attorney prepares your papers from your answers and files them with the court for you. You never have to go to court, and once the judge signs your decree, the attorney mails it to you. Because the papers are done right the first time, there are no rejected filings to set you back.
The bottom line
For couples who agree on everything and don't have minor children, a Tennessee divorce can be final in about two to three months. The 60-day waiting period is the one part you can't change. Everything else depends on agreeing early and getting the paperwork right.
Want to get your 60 days started? See if you qualify in about a minute, or read how to get an uncontested divorce in Tennessee, step by step.
Sources: Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-4-101 (grounds for divorce) and § 36-4-103 (irreconcilable differences, waiting periods and marital dissolution agreements).
