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: Tennessee custody law

Gavel representing parenting plan enforcement and contempt in Tennessee

When Your Ex Won’t Follow the Parenting Plan

Posted in Big Latin Words.

She was supposed to drop the kids off at six. It was seven-thirty. No call. No text. Just… nothing. He sat in his car in the parking lot of the agreed exchange location, getting angrier by the minute. When she finally showed up, no explanation, no apology; he said some things he would later...

School supplies representing education disputes in Tennessee custody cases

Set Up the Next Shift

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Before law school, I worked in restaurants. Nobody called me Lawyer Bill back then. Every closing shift ended the same way. Somebody would come through and say, set up the next shift for success. Restock the line. Cut the lemons. Roll the silverware. Wipe your station down so the person...

Grandparent with grandchild representing grandparent visitation rights Tennessee

Grandparent Visitation Rights in Tennessee

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I got a call last month from a grandmother in her seventies. Her voice broke twice while she was explaining the situation. Her son had died. Her daughter-in-law had remarried. The new husband did not want the grandmother around. And now she had not seen her grandchildren in fourteen...

Moving boxes representing Tennessee parent relocation custody law

When One Parent Wants to Move: Tennessee Relocation Law

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I had a client once who got a job offer in another city. Great opportunity. Significant pay increase. The kind of thing you say yes to without hesitating, if you do not have a parenting plan. Except she had a parenting plan. And her ex was not going anywhere. She called me from the parking...

Father representing fathers rights and custody in Tennessee courts

Fathers, Courts, and What the Law Actually Says

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Every June, right around Father’s Day, I get a version of the same call. A father who believes the court system is set against him. Who has heard from someone at work or a buddy at the gym that judges always favor mothers. Who has already half-convinced himself that fighting for meaningful...

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...

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...

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...

Family law courthouse Memphis Tennessee Mississippi custody

Mississippi Wants 50-50 Custody. Tennessee Already Has It.

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Every other week, somebody walks into my office with a printout from the internet and a look on their face like they just found buried treasure. “It says right here. 50-50. The law says 50-50.” And I take a breath, because what I am about to say is going to disappoint them a...

Tag: Tennessee custody law

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