As in other states, the time it takes to conclude a divorce in Tennessee varies. You may be staring at several months or even longer, depending on the unique circumstances of your case.
Some factors that may extend the divorce process are out of your hands, while others are not. Therefore, it is hard to pinpoint with certainty the duration of the entire process. Here is what you need to know.
Factors that may influence the length of your divorce
One of the defining factors is how the divorce is settled. A litigated divorce will take much longer since you will be at the mercy of the courts, which are already burdened by a backlog of cases. You must also get through multiple legal decisions by the court if your divorce is contested.
The level of cooperation between the spouses also matters, whether the divorce proceeds in or out of court. Sometimes, a spouse may deliberately delay the process. They could fail to attend crucial meetings or take unnecessarily long to submit relevant documents such as financial records.
Finally, a high net-worth divorce will often take longer to settle, given the complexities of property division. It may take time to consolidate, appraise and divide the marital assets in such a divorce. Other legal requirements that apply to some individuals, such as residency requirements or a waiting period, may also come into play.
Protect your rights and interests in a divorce
It is best to have legal guidance from the moment a divorce is on the horizon to help you prepare and navigate around obstacles that may come your way. You do not want a drawn-out divorce. However, you cannot afford to get a raw deal. Having legal guidance can help you work toward a fair outcome.