Uncontested Divorce Lawyers in Knoxville
Divorce doesn’t have to be a long, grueling, costly, and conflict-ridden process. If you and your spouse have discussed your divorce already and are willing to work through this process cooperatively, congratulations! You have just saved yourselves a ton in attorney’s fees. “Lightly Contested” and “Agreed Divorces” are less expensive options for divorcing couples that can still effectively work together to get the job done.
For personalized information regarding your uncontested divorce, contact Held Law Firm by dialing (865) 685-4780 today.
How to Qualify for an Uncontested Divorce
1. Agree on everything (agreed divorce) or almost everything (lightly contested), including:
- Property division (how to split your assets and debts)
- Parenting plan (who and when each party gets the kids and child support, if applicable)
- Alimony (ongoing support after the divorce is over)
2. Work together to find an agreement.
You will need to be on good terms and have good communication skills with each other. Ideally, you won’t hate each other, fight, or engage in other disruptive behavior because this conflict impedes your ability to come to an agreement.
3. Have separate lawyers.
Held Law Firm would only represent one of the parties. We cannot represent both parties because we would not be able to advocate or give separate legal advice. We can communicate with the other party about non-legal matters (letting them know of hearings, answering factual questions about the process, etc.).
4. Be willing to sign the final paperwork.
Parties may meet and sign the paperwork together or, alternatively, come into the office to meet separately with us.
Can Your Divorce Be Low Cost?
Want to know if your divorce could be considered agreed or lightly contested? Answer each question below to the best of your ability. You’ll total your score at the end to learn of the likelihood that your divorce could be uncontested.
The Agreed Divorce Process
- Parties agree to all terms. Those terms are transmitted into their marital dissolution agreement (MDA) and permanent parenting plan (PPP).
- The paperwork (divorce complaint, initial pleadings, MDA, PPP, etc.) is drafted and the client reviews it. The attorney makes any changes necessary.
- Parties come to the law firms and sign off on the paperwork.
- The paperwork is filed together as one packet with the court.
- The filing of the paperwork triggers the 90-day waiting period with the court. We set a hearing 90 days out (60 days if no minor children).
- After the 90-day waiting period has passed, the final announcement hearing happens at the court.
- The Judge will sign off on the paperwork and pronounce the parties divorced.
The Lightly Contested Divorce Process
- Parties agree to most terms. Those terms are transmitted into their MDA and PPP.
- Parties continue to work out the terms that they are lacking, OR a proposal is sent to one party for review. The parties can discuss amongst themselves and ask the attorney any questions through the spouse who is the attorney’s client.
- We can either: go ahead and file the divorce, which will start the 90-day period, and agree to terms later OR wait until a complete agreement has been reached and file it as an agreed divorce, which would continue with the agreed divorce process.
Questions to Consider
If you’re hoping to reduce the cost of your divorce, it’s important to try to answer the following questions by yourself or with your spouse.
- How contested do you think the case will be?
- Does the other party know you are wanting a divorce?
- Does the other party agree to the divorce?
- Are you all on good terms? Have you been communicating well?
- Have you agreed to terms (for example, how you are going to split your property or a parenting schedule)?
- What kind of assets to you have? Include your house(s), car(s), retirement, and other significant assets.
Understanding Uncontested Divorce in Knoxville: Local Insights and Resources
Knoxville, nestled in the heart of East Tennessee, offers a unique blend of urban and rural living, which can influence the dynamics of an uncontested divorce. Residents here often value community and family ties, making amicable resolutions particularly important. The Knox County Government provides various resources to assist in the divorce process, including family court services and mediation programs.
One common pain point for Knoxville residents is the division of property, especially when it involves family-owned land or businesses, which are prevalent in this region. Additionally, the proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains means many families have vacation properties or timeshares that must be considered in the divorce settlement.
Another significant concern is the well-being of children. Knoxville's family-friendly environment, with its numerous parks and excellent schools, means that parents are often deeply invested in creating a stable and supportive parenting plan. The Knox County Schools system is critical in these discussions, as parents strive to minimize disruptions to their children's education and social lives.
We understand these local nuances at Held Law Firm and are committed to helping you navigate your uncontested divorce with sensitivity and efficiency. Whether you're dealing with property division, child custody arrangements, or alimony, our team is here to support you every step of the way. We know Knoxville, and we know how to help you achieve a smooth and amicable divorce process.
Call us at (865) 685-4780 to speak to a friendly staff member who will help you get your consultation scheduled!
testimonials
Hear About Former Clients' Experiences-
“We live in California and needed a law firm to help us get custody of our 2 young (9 and 12 yo) grand nephews after their mother passed away. Held Law Firm, Chelsea and Abigail, in particular were our ...”
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“After being married for over 40 years, I was at a point in my life that I no longer wanted to take care of every aspect of being in that situation. I felt it was time for me to start thinking more ...”
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“Newer to the Knoxville area and looking for a law firm to help us set up our will. Melanie Hogg, with Held Law Firm, came highly recommended and have to say the reviews were right. Melanie was ...”
- A. Witte -
“Held law firm went above and beyond to help me with a case they don't normally do. I appreciate how dedicated they are to helping make sure the case goes well. I couldn't have had a better attorney ...”
- J.A. -
“Margaret and her staff make you feel very welcome from the beginning. Everyone in the office makes a difficult process a lot easier to go through. She and her staff are kind, thoughtful, patient, ...”
- J.W. -
“After interviewing almost every attorney in downtown Knoxville and finding them to minimize and plan to use a cookie cutter approach to my case I was deeply relieved to find Held Law Firm. They are ...”
- L. F. -
“Margaret Held was excellent help with obtaining information on my divorce. She knew exactly what she was talking about and I feel confident that they are one of the best lawyer offices in Knoxville!”
- K. M. -
“Short Version: Melanie and Chelsea are a force to be reckoned with and thank God they were on my side. Do yourself a favor and go with them. **Worth the read if you are searching for a Lawyer** Long ...”
- R. F. -
“From the day I walked in the office, I was greeted like family. The attention, the hard work and the team effort that Held Law has given me will forever be appreciated. I highly recommend Held Law to ...”
- J. L. -
“Chelsea Price exceeded expectation with our case of step parent adoption. I highly recommend her for adoption cases. She was professional, accurate, and timely in completing everything that needed to ...”
- Ashley C. -
“Ms. Held helped me turn around a complete nightmare situation. She was creative with problem solving and was not afraid to step in and get things done.”
- Bethany T. -
“This is a firm that truly cares & will literally have your back & encourage you through the tough times!”
- Alicia U. -
“I wanted to find a firm who could help me obtain a quick, affordable divorce and Held provided just that. All members of their team were extremely responsive and informative. Never did I feel out of the loop or confused and I always felt comfortable asking”
- Brittany H. -
“I am so grateful to her because now I have a signed court order clearly defining visitation with my grandchild, which had previously been denied. I believe that without Margaret this would not have happened.”
- Debra I. -
“At no time did anyone at the firm take any action on my behalf without first having a conversation with me and getting my approval. While I hope I never have to go through a divorce again, I know I'd gladly seek their assistance again. In fact, if I ever n”
- Kevin F. -
“Melanie was great! She provided excellent assistance and eased our concerns throughout the process. She arranged a virtual hearing for us so we could still have a court date even as in-person meetings ...”
- Tammy R. -
“Very professional, extremely reasonable with fees, and most of all they truly care about their clients.”
- Pamela H. -
“Kudos to this law firm for being straight up with their clients - hard to come by these days!”
- Amy F. -
“Another great aspect of Held Law Firm is how comfortable and welcoming they are so you don't feel anxious. The atmosphere and vibe makes you feel right at home and so welcomed.”
- Sandy H. -
“They know the legalities and how to do their jobs well, and they provide individualized service based on their client's needs. Excellent!”
- Barbara J. -
“This is my family's future, and it's the only chance I have to make it right. With my entire family's future hanging in the balance, Margaret has given my case the attention and effort it deserves.”
- Devon C. -
“Melanie and her team at Held Law Firm were efficient and informative during my recent divorce settlement. Melanie was courteous and listened to my many questions.”
- Sandra B. -
“I would not look for another law firm to handle any of my attorney needs.”
- Stefan T. -
“The Held law firm is staffed with only the best and they will fight for you in court. They cleaned up a mess made by our previous attorney, and got our case moving forward. Margaret has the experience and skills to get you the best results possible.”
- Darrel W. -
“I really appreciated that they were so responsive to my needs, and made sure that I had realistic expectations. There were no surprises here. They didn't let my ex push me around and were there for me every step of the way, always making time to explain to”
- Faith B.
Why Hire held law firm?
"There isn't a better group in Knoxville"-
When You Hire One Attorney, You Hire the Entire Firm
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A True Passion for Standing Up for What's Right
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Our Goal Is for Every Client to Leave on Cloud 9
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Actively Involved in Improving Our Local Community
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A Team of Fearless Trial Attorneys
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Over 50 Years of Experience in Family Law
