Who is the best divorce lawyer in Memphis Tennessee?

The best divorce lawyer for your situation depends on the complexity of your case, whether children are involved, and your goals. William W. Jones IV at The Jones Law Firm has been a Super Lawyers selectee every consecutive year from 2014 through 2025, is a Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator, and has practiced family law in Memphis since 2002. He is licensed in both Tennessee (BPR 022869) and Mississippi (BPR 100707). Call (901) 761-5353.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Memphis?

Memphis divorce attorney fees typically range from $150 to $500+ per hour depending on the attorney's experience and case complexity. The Jones Law Firm offers consultations to discuss your specific situation and provide transparent fee information. Contact (901) 761-5353 to schedule.

What is a Rule 31 Family Mediator in Tennessee?

A Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator is a neutral third party approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct court-ordered mediations in family law cases including divorce, child custody, and parenting plan disputes. William W. Jones IV is a Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator who conducts mediations at The Jones Law Firm, 5100 Poplar Ave, Suite 708, Memphis, TN 38137.

Can I modify a custody order in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee allows modification of custody orders and parenting plans when there has been a material change in circumstances affecting the best interest of the child. Common triggers include relocation, changes in work schedule, safety concerns, or a child's changing needs. William W. Jones IV at The Jones Law Firm handles custody modifications in Shelby County Circuit and Chancery Courts. Call (901) 761-5353.

How long does a divorce take in Memphis Tennessee?

Tennessee requires a mandatory waiting period of 60 days for divorces without minor children and 90 days for divorces with minor children. An uncontested divorce may be finalized shortly after the waiting period. Contested divorces involving custody, property division, or alimony disputes can take six months to over a year depending on complexity and court schedules in Shelby County.

Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Tennessee?

While Tennessee law does not require an attorney for an uncontested divorce, having a lawyer review your Marital Dissolution Agreement and Parenting Plan protects your rights regarding property division, retirement accounts, debt allocation, and custody. Mistakes in these documents can be costly to fix after the divorce is final. The Jones Law Firm in Memphis offers consultations at (901) 761-5353.

Tag: Shelby County court

Legal documents representing a Tennessee parenting plan

What a Parenting Plan Actually Has to Say

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I keep a folder in my office of parenting plans I wish I had written. Not because they are beautifully drafted (though some are). Because they actually work. The other folder is thicker. That one is full of plans where someone thought “we’ll figure it out as we go” was a good approach to...

Parent and child representing co-parenting and holiday custody in Tennessee

Co-Parenting When One of You Doesn’t Want To

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Let me settle one question before we get into the harder stuff. Mother’s Day belongs to mom. Father’s Day belongs to dad. In almost every parenting plan I have ever written or reviewed, these holidays go to the respective parent regardless of whose regular weekend it is. That part...

Calculator representing child support calculation in Tennessee

How Child Support Gets Calculated in Tennessee

Posted in Big Latin Words.

If I had a dollar for every time a client told me what they thought child support was going to be based on what their neighbor said, I could retire. (I am not retiring. But I could.) Child support in Tennessee is not a negotiation. It is not based on what seems fair to either parent. And it is...

Gavel representing material change in circumstances custody modification Tennessee

Material Change in Circumstances: The Hardest Standard in Family Court

Posted in Big Latin Words.

People call me all the time wanting to change their custody order. And the first thing I have to tell almost all of them is the same thing: Wanting to change it is not enough. Feeling like things are different is not enough. Even being right is not always enough. To modify a parenting...

Couple signing divorce papers representing irreconcilable differences in Tennessee

Irreconcilable Differences: What That Actually Means in Tennessee

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I had a client tell me once that she wanted a divorce because her husband chewed too loud. She was not joking. Or rather, she was joking about the chewing, but she was not joking about wanting out. What she was really saying was what most people mean when they say irreconcilable differences:...

Tax documents representing divorce and taxes in Tennessee

Divorce and Taxes: The Questions Nobody Thinks to Ask

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I am going to be upfront about something. In law school, I avoided the building where they taught tax law. I have made peace with that decision. I still do not sleep particularly well in April, but that is another matter. I am not a tax expert. I am a family law attorney. But every spring, the...

Cell phone screen - Tennessee Hands Free Law blog post

Put the Phone Down. They Are Watching.

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I’ll confess something. I, Bill Jones, guy who should absolutely know better, was sitting at a red light on Poplar last Tuesday and caught myself reaching for my phone. Just instinct. Somebody texted me and my hand went for it like a reflex. Everybody feels the pull. That’s the...

Tennessee custody law best interest factors update 36-6-106

The Best-Interest Factors Just Changed. Here’s What That Means.

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I had a client once who did not want a divorce. He did not understand why his wife wanted one. What he kept saying, every time we talked, was that he wanted everyone to have a soft landing. So when it came time to work out a parenting plan, he agreed to a step-up arrangement. Supervised...

Doing Nothing Is Still a Decision

Posted in Big Latin Words.

One of the most misunderstood parts of divorce court is what happens when someone simply does nothing. People assume that if they ignore paperwork, miss a hearing, or just wait it out, things will stay neutral. They think the court will pause, someone will call them, or the case will sit...

Contempt of Court. What It Is and Why Judges Take It Personally

Posted in Big Latin Words.

If you want to see a judge lose their patience in real time, ignore a court order. Not misunderstand it. Not struggle with it. Ignore it. Courts expect mistakes. They do not tolerate defiance. And that is the difference between being corrected and being punished. What “Contempt” Actually Means...

Tag: Shelby County court

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