The Uncontested Divorce Process
Looking for a smoother, stress-free divorce experience? Choose an uncontested divorce. In this type of divorce, both parties agree to the terms and sign the necessary documents before the case is filed. With no need for service of process or courtroom arguments, you can avoid any additional stress and ensure a swift resolution. All agreements are detailed in the initial documents, making the process straightforward and easy. For more information on other divorce options, such as default judgments, publication divorces, and contested matters, explore the articles in our "Info You Need" section.
1.Consult
This where you meet with a lawyer to discuss your case, get answers to your questions, and decide on a plan of action. This is confidential but no attorney-client relationship exists until you actually retain the lawyer. It is normal for people to have consults with a few lawyers before deciding, and it is normal for lawyers to decline to take a client’s case for various ethical reasons.
2. Contract
To hire the lawyer you must sign a contract describing with specificity the services to be provided and the fees to be paid. This is done through an online digital signature.
3. Fees
At Davis & Greene there are no billable hours, so you can be certain amount how much your case will cost up front and how much potential cost could occur during the case. We use a non-refundable earned fee retainer, which means attorney fees are earned upon receipt and not held in trust. All case expenses like filing fees are held in trust. We use a tier system so the costs of your case could range from $1250 up to $5000+. Each tier has a set amount of documents and services included depending on what you need. We do now allow payment plans if you need to spread out your payments.
4. Drafting
You will be sent a link to answer an online questionnaire to provide necessary information for the lawyer to draft your documents. Once the first draft is done, the lawyer will send you the documents by email in pdf format for you to review. If there are no changes then you and your spouse will need to sign the documents in the presence of a notary and return them to the lawyer to file. You will also be required to be fully paid up before the lawyer will file your case.
5. Filing
Once both spouses notarize the documents and the fees have been paid, the divorce will be filed. Cases without children have to be on file for more than 60 days prior to the entry of a Final Decree, and cases with children must be on file for more than 90 days prior to the entry of a Final Decree. All uncontested divorces will be filed in Tipton County, TN because venue is waived in the agreement, they have a lower filing fee, and that court does not require a hearing to sign the decree.