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

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...

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...

House representing marital home division in Tennessee divorce

What Happens to the House in a Tennessee Divorce

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I had a client last year who wanted to keep the house more than she wanted almost anything else in the divorce. It was the place her kids had grown up. It was the neighborhood where she knew everyone. It was the only thing she felt she could control when everything else was falling apart. So...

Gavel representing material change in circumstances custody modification Tennessee

Domestic Violence and Divorce: How the Law Connects Them

Posted in Big Latin Words.

This one is harder to write than most of what I put on this blog. Not because the law is complicated, but because the people reading it are sometimes in situations that are dangerous and frightening and need more than legal information. So I want to be direct. If you are in an unsafe...

Moving boxes representing Tennessee parent relocation custody law

When One Parent Wants to Move: Tennessee Relocation Law

Posted in Big Latin Words.

I had a client once who got a job offer in another city. Great opportunity. Significant pay increase. The kind of thing you say yes to without hesitating, if you do not have a parenting plan. Except she had a parenting plan. And her ex was not going anywhere. She called me from the parking...

Father representing fathers rights and custody in Tennessee courts

Fathers, Courts, and What the Law Actually Says

Posted in Big Latin Words.

Every June, right around Father’s Day, I get a version of the same call. A father who believes the court system is set against him. Who has heard from someone at work or a buddy at the gym that judges always favor mothers. Who has already half-convinced himself that fighting for meaningful...

Two people in mediation representing Tennessee divorce mediation process

What Happens in Mediation (And Why Judges Like It)

Posted in Big Latin Words.

My clients tell me the same thing before every mediation. This is a waste of time. They will never agree to anything. This is a waste of money. Why are we even doing this. I have heard it so many times I could say it for them. And I am still amazed, every single time, at how often a good...

The Jones Law Firm Blog

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

Retirement Accounts in Divorce: QDROs and Why They Matter

What Happens to the House in a Tennessee Divorce

Domestic Violence and Divorce: How the Law Connects Them

When One Parent Wants to Move: Tennessee Relocation Law

Fathers, Courts, and What the Law Actually Says

What Happens in Mediation (And Why Judges Like It)

Contact The Jones Law Firm