How to File Your Own Divorce Papers in Tennessee
It is possible to file for your own divorce in Tennessee without the aid of an attorney. it is referred to as filing "pro se," and you must still meet all legal requirements when filing by yourself. You will also need to take extra care to do everything correctly because you will not have a lawyer helping you. Making a mistake can have serious consequences for your divorce case, so take the time beforehand to ensure you have followed all the requirements.
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Instructions
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You must meet Tennessee divorce residency requirements before you can file any divorce papers. If you don't, your case will be thrown out. The party filing for divorce must have been a resident of the state at the time the grounds for divorce took place. If the grounds for divorce did not happen in Tennessee, at least one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for the immediate six months preceding the divorce's filing date.
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Draft your divorce petition. A divorce petition is the legal document you file with the court to begin the divorce process. Petitions must state specific information, such as the name of the county in which the divorce is filed, the names of the spouses, their residences, the grounds upon which the divorce is sought, the names of any children involved and the requests the party filing makes for spousal and child support. You can view a sample divorce petition in the Resource section. You can also contact your local Tennessee county courthouse and ask if they have any blank documents available. You must ensure your petition is properly drafted before filing.
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Verify your petition. Your divorce petition is a legal document and must be verified by signing before a licensed Tennessee notary. Make sure all the information in the petition is, to the best of your knowledge, correct before having the petition notarized.
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File the divorce petition in the proper county. If both spouses are residents of the same Tennessee county, you must file in that county. If the spouses live in difference counties, you can file in either one. If only one party lives in Tennessee, you must file in the county in which that person resides. Bring at least three copies of the divorce petition with you when you file: one for the court, one for you and one for your spouse. The clerk will assign your case a docket number and a courtroom, and provide you with the time and date of your first scheduling conference.
You must also pay a filing fee when you file your divorce, but the fee varies by county, so call the county courthouse beforehand so you'll know how much you'll need to pay.
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Tips & Warnings
Get help. Even if your divorce is simple and uncontested, it cannot hurt you to get help. Consider talking to an attorney or a legal aid organization before filing for divorce.
References
Resources
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