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.

News - Jones Law Firm Memphis News Blog

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…...

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...

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...

The Jones Law Firm Blog

Dating During Divorce: What the Court Thinks About It

Why Your Old Will Still Matters After the Divorce

Hiding Income in Divorce: What Discovery Finds

How to Actually Enforce a Court Order

When Your Ex Won’t Follow the Parenting Plan

Set Up the Next Shift

Grandparent Visitation Rights in Tennessee

Name Changes in Divorce: Simpler Than You Think

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

When Your Spouse Owns a Business

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