Getting divorced in Memphis? Read this first.
Tennessee requires a 60-day waiting period for couples without minor children — 90 days if you do. Shelby County Chancery and Circuit Courts split divorce jurisdiction in ways that surprise people. The right Memphis divorce lawyer keeps your case in the right court and out of trial when possible.
These 10 Memphis family law firms are recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Each handles contested and uncontested divorces and most offer free or low-cost initial consultations.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: High-asset divorce, contested custody, family law trials, appeals
Larry Rice is a National Board of Trial Advocacy-certified Family Law Trial Advocate — one of only two Family Law Specialists in Memphis. Named to Mid-South Super Lawyers every year since 2008. Selected Best Law Firm by The Commercial Appeal three years running.
Practice focus: Divorce, business valuations in divorce, alimony, child custody
Miles Mason holds both a JD and CPA, which matters in high-asset cases involving business valuations. He's a frequent author and speaker on Tennessee divorce law.
Practice focus: Contested and uncontested divorce, high-asset division, alimony, custody
William W. Jones IV has 20+ years of experience in contested divorce, high-asset property division, spousal support, child custody and child support.
Practice focus: Family law, divorce, child custody, adoption
70+ years of combined family law expertise across the Greater Memphis metro area.
Practice focus: Divorce, child custody, marital property division, spousal/child support, adoption
Quality family law representation across the full spectrum of domestic matters.
Practice focus: Divorce, paternity, family violence, custody
Boutique focus on contested divorce, custody, and protection order litigation.
Practice focus: Family law, estate planning, divorce, prenuptial agreements
Combines family law with estate planning — useful in divorce cases involving inherited assets or trusts.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, asset division, spousal support, military divorce, prenups
National family law firm with a documented focus on representing men in divorce and custody matters. Memphis office handles full Tennessee family law scope.
Practice focus: Family law, divorce, business and tax-aware divorce strategy
Memphis-based firm handling divorce alongside business and tax practice — relevant for self-employed and business-owner clients.
Practice focus: Family law, divorce, child custody
Memphis family law boutique with strong client reviews and a focus on collaborative and contested divorce work.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted divorce attorneys in Memphis. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Most Memphis divorce cases resolve in uncontested: 60-90 days from filing; contested: 6-18 months. Cases are heard in Shelby County Chancery Court and Shelby County Circuit Court at 140 Adams Ave. The procedural rhythm is fast at the front end (intake, investigation, demand) and slower once the case is filed.
Timing differs by case type. Settlement-bound cases finish faster. Trial-bound cases run longer — sometimes much longer — because both sides invest in discovery, experts, and motion practice before a courtroom date.
Tennessee allows both no-fault (irreconcilable differences) and fault-based grounds, including adultery, abandonment, and cruel treatment. That single rule shapes what kinds of cases are worth bringing and how aggressively your lawyer pursues each side of the story.
Standard Tennessee fee structure: uncontested flat fees of $1,500-$3,500; contested matters billed hourly at $250-$450/hr. Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and recovered from any settlement.
The all-in cost depends on how complex the case becomes. Cases that settle pre-suit cost the firm relatively little to prosecute. Cases that go to trial require investigators, experts, deposition transcripts, exhibits, and trial support — costs that can add up to five or six figures on a serious matter.
A reputable Memphis firm will explain the fee structure in writing before you sign, give you a realistic case-expense estimate, and document what happens to your file if you change lawyers later.
The legal directory you find on Google has hundreds of Memphis divorce firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or outcome before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Memphis lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most Memphis firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Memphis is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. Shelby County Chancery Court and Shelby County Circuit Court at 140 Adams Ave have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. The applicable limitation is no fixed deadline to file — but Tennessee requires a 60-day waiting period (90 days with minor children) after filing. Government-defendant cases, pre-suit certification requirements, and notice requirements can be even shorter. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Memphis firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs and defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Tell us what happened. We'll match you with vetted Memphis firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
An uncontested divorce in Shelby County typically wraps in 60-90 days after filing — Tennessee's mandatory cooling-off period. A contested case can take 6-18 months, more if custody is fought.
Uncontested divorces with a written agreement run $1,500-$3,500 flat. Contested divorces are billed hourly at $250-$450 and frequently total $10,000-$50,000+ when assets and custody are in dispute.
Not in Tennessee. You can file on irreconcilable differences. Fault grounds (adultery, abandonment, cruel treatment) still matter when alimony, custody, or unequal property division are in play.
Tennessee is an equitable distribution state — not a 50/50 state. The court divides marital property based on what's fair given the length of the marriage, earning capacity, and contributions.
Tennessee uses a best-interests-of-the-child standard. There's no automatic preference for mothers. Permanent parenting plans set out residential schedules, decision-making authority, and child support.
No. One lawyer represents one spouse. If you both want help, look at mediation — Shelby County offers court-ordered mediation in most contested matters.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team