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 Divorce

Property division representing equitable distribution in Tennessee divorce

Equitable Distribution: What Fair Means in Tennessee

Posted in Big Latin Words.

“Fifty-fifty, right? That’s how it works?” I hear that at least once a week. And I have to explain that Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, not an equal distribution state. I say that to every client at the start of the property conversation, and about half of them hear it as the...

Lady Justice statue with scales representing contested and uncontested divorce in Tennessee

Contested vs. Uncontested: Choosing the Right Path

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Two clients came to see me. Similar situations on paper. Both married fifteen years. Both with two kids. Both ready to be done. One of them was finished in sixty days with a settlement that both parties drafted together. The other one is still going, eight months in, with no end in...

Representing dating during divorce in Tennessee and legal implications

Dating During Divorce: What the Court Thinks About It

Posted in Big Latin Words.

She called me the day after the second date. Not to tell me about the restaurant. To ask whether she had just made a legal mistake. “It’s been six months. We’re separated. He’s already seeing someone. Is this going to be a problem?” I get this question more than you might expect. Usually...

Will documents representing estate planning after divorce in Tennessee

Why Your Old Will Still Matters After the Divorce

Posted in Big Latin Words.

He died two years after the divorce. Suddenly. Heart attack at fifty-four. Nobody had updated the beneficiary designation on his life insurance policy. His ex-wife was still named. She collected the entire death benefit. His children from the marriage got nothing from that policy. His adult...

Financial documents representing hidden income discovery in Tennessee divorce

Hiding Income in Divorce: What Discovery Finds

Posted in Big Latin Words.

The tax return said he made sixty thousand dollars a year. The lifestyle said something else entirely. New boat in the driveway. A trip to Costa Rica over spring break. Cash payments for a kitchen renovation that somehow did not appear on any credit card statement. “Where is the money coming...

Gavel representing court order enforcement in Tennessee family law

How to Actually Enforce a Court Order

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Getting a court order is half the battle. Sometimes it is the easier half. I remember a case a few years back. We spent months in litigation. Settlement conference. Failed mediation. Trial. My client won on almost every issue. The judge’s order was clear as day. And then the other side just…...

Legal documents representing name change in Tennessee divorce

Name Changes in Divorce: Simpler Than You Think

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Of all the things people worry about in a divorce, the name change question is one of the least complicated. Which is why I am a little surprised by how often it falls through the cracks. Here is what you actually need to know. You Can Include It in the Divorce Decree In...

Financial documents representing alimony and spousal support in Tennessee

Alimony in Tennessee: Who Gets It, How Long, and Why

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I spend more time explaining alimony than almost any other topic in family law. Not because the law is confusing (though parts of it are). Because everybody thinks they already know how it works. And almost everybody is wrong. The myths I hear constantly: That it is automatic. That it is...

Business building representing business valuation in Tennessee divorce

When Your Spouse Owns a Business

Posted in Big Latin Words.

A few years back, I represented a woman whose husband owned a landscaping company. On paper, the company was losing money. According to his tax returns, he made less than his employees. But the family lived in a nice house in East Memphis. There were two late-model trucks in the driveway. The...

Retirement account paperwork representing QDRO and divorce in Tennessee

Retirement Accounts in Divorce: QDROs and Why They Matter

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Nobody walks into a divorce thinking about their 401(k). They are thinking about the kids, the house, maybe the car. The retirement account feels abstract, like something future you will deal with. Then they find out how much is in it. And suddenly it is not abstract at all. Retirement...

Tag: Tennessee Divorce

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