Tennessee Divorce and Dissolution Resources

FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.

A Tennessee divorce is filed in the Chancery or Circuit Court, and the paperwork you start with depends on whether you have minor children together and whether there is property to divide.

Tennessee's core family statutes live in the Tennessee Code Title 36 - Domestic Relations. In Tennessee, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it. The official sources below cover the petition documents, the statewide forms collection, and the court's own filing instructions.

Official Tennessee divorce resources

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Tennessee family law forms (official index) (Tennessee judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Tennessee family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-represented-litigants/forms

Tennessee court self-help resources (Tennessee courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Tennessee family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center

Tennessee official filing information (Tennessee judicial branch): The court's own page explaining how documents are filed in Tennessee and what a parent without a lawyer is allowed to do. https://www.tncourts.gov/

Tennessee financial affidavit and disclosure forms (tncourts.gov): The official source for the financial disclosure paperwork most Tennessee family cases ask both sides to complete. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center/forms

Tennessee mediation and dispute resolution (Tennessee judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Tennessee family case without a trial. https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation

Verified official Tennessee divorce documents

These official documents cover starting a divorce, responding to one, settling, and the final orders. Requirements vary by county, so confirm the packet with your clerk before filing.

Complaint for Divorce With Minor Children (Divorce / Dissolution), official document: https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/final_div_forms_with_kids_effective_2018.01.11%20TN.pdf

Official link data for Tennessee was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file for divorce in Tennessee?

In the Chancery or Circuit Court that serves the county where you live. In Tennessee, online filing is only partly open to a parent without a lawyer, so check what applies to your court before you count on it.

How much does it cost to file a family case in Tennessee?

Divorce filing fee: ~$184-$300. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk about a fee waiver or indigency application; every state has a process for requesting one.

Do I need a lawyer to file a Tennessee divorce?

No. Tennessee publishes its family law forms for people representing themselves, and the self-help resources on this page exist for exactly that. A consultation still makes sense when there is a business, a pension, or a serious safety issue in the case.