Life in Lebanon, with its blend of historic charm along the Public Square and modern growth in developments like The Paddocks, often centers around family and community. Wilson County has become a sought-after place to raise children, with excellent schools and a strong sense of neighborly connection.
When a marriage ends, the residents of Lebanon deserve a legal process that reflects those same values of respect and integrity. Navigating the legal system can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a battle. By choosing a specialized Divorce Lawyer who focuses exclusively on agreed divorces, you can finalize this chapter with dignity and move forward with clarity. At Agreed Divorce Clinic, Frank Kessler, Attorney, we’ve been helping families across Middle Tennessee, including Lebanon, do just that for over 40 years.
The Foundation: Understanding the Uncontested Divorce Process
The key to a less stressful divorce is agreement. Our entire practice is built around being your Uncontested Divorce Lawyer. We only handle cases where couples are committed to reaching a settlement on their own terms. This allows us to provide a streamlined, efficient service for a flat fee, in stark contrast to the unpredictable costs of a litigation-focused attorney who bills by the hour.
We guide you through the process of formalizing your agreement into the legally binding documents required by the Wilson County courts. This includes:
The Marital Dissolution Agreement (MDA):
This comprehensive document covers all aspects of your divorce:
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Division of real estate and personal property
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Allocation of debts and liabilities
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Spousal support, if applicable
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Any other agreements between the parties
The Permanent Parenting Plan:
If you have minor children, this legally binding document outlines:
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Residential schedule for the children
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Decision-making authority for major issues
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Holiday and vacation provisions
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Transportation and communication arrangements
The Child Support Worksheet:
This mandatory calculation ensures child support is set according to Tennessee’s guidelines based on both parents’ incomes and the parenting time schedule.
Protecting Your Children’s Future in Wilson County
For parents in Lebanon, the parenting plan is often the most important document in the divorce. A skilled Child Custody Lawyer ensures that your plan is comprehensive, legally sound, and tailored to your family’s needs.
Wilson County offers wonderful opportunities for children, from the Lebanon Special School District to Wilson County Schools, and from parks and recreation programs to community events. Your parenting plan should support your children’s continued participation in all that Lebanon offers.
Key elements we address:
School Schedule:
The plan must clearly establish which parent the child lives with on school days and how school breaks, in-service days, and weather-related closures are handled.
Extracurricular Activities:
Whether it’s sports, music, dance, or church activities, the plan should address how decisions about activities are made and who handles transportation.
Healthcare and Education Decisions:
Major decisions about medical care, therapy, school selection, and educational support must be clearly allocated between parents.
Communication:
We help you establish expectations for parent-child communication during the other parent’s parenting time, whether by phone, video calls, or other means.
Dividing Your Assets: The Property Division Component
Lebanon residents have worked hard to build their financial security, whether through homeownership, retirement savings, or business interests. As your Property Division Lawyer, we ensure your assets are divided according to your wishes in a clear, enforceable manner.
Common assets we address:
Real Estate:
From historic homes near the square to newer construction, real estate is often the largest asset. Options include:
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One spouse keeps the home (buying out the other’s equity)
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Sell the home and split proceeds
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Defer sale for a specified period
Retirement Accounts:
401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and other retirement savings accumulated during the marriage are marital property subject to division. We ensure proper documentation, including QDROs when needed.
Bank and Investment Accounts:
Savings, checking, and brokerage accounts must be identified and allocated.
Business Interests:
If you or your spouse owns a business, we help you structure the agreement to address valuation and division.
Personal Property:
From vehicles to furniture, we help you create a clear inventory.
Debts:
Mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and other debts must be allocated clearly.
The Agreed Divorce Advantage in Lebanon
By choosing our clinic, you benefit from:
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Specialized Experience: 40+ years focused exclusively on uncontested divorces
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Flat-Fee Pricing: Know your costs upfront, no hourly billing surprises
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Privacy: Handle your case by mail, keeping personal matters out of public court records
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Convenience: Communicate by phone, email, or mail without repeated office visits
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Payment Plans: Start with a down payment and take up to 4 months to pay the balance
With a free initial consultation, there’s no risk in learning about your options. Let us help you navigate this transition with the dignity and respect you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the grounds for divorce in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers both fault-based and no-fault grounds. For uncontested divorces, we use “irreconcilable differences,” which is the no-fault ground. This means you and your spouse agree the marriage is irretrievably broken and have resolved all issues through written agreements, without needing to prove fault.
2. How long do I have to live in Tennessee before filing for divorce?
You or your spouse must have been a resident of Tennessee for at least six months before filing for divorce. The divorce is filed in the county where you reside, which for Lebanon residents is Wilson County.
3. What if my spouse doesn’t want a divorce?
If your spouse does not agree to the divorce, you cannot use the uncontested “irreconcilable differences” process. You would need to pursue a contested divorce based on fault grounds or wait until you can meet the requirements for a no-fault divorce with your spouse’s agreement.
4. How is child support calculated in Wilson County?
Child support is calculated using Tennessee’s child support guidelines. The formula considers both parents’ gross income, the number of overnights the child spends with each parent, and costs for health insurance and work-related childcare. The court provides worksheets to ensure accurate calculation.
5. Can we agree on spousal support (alimony) in our uncontested divorce?
Yes, you can agree on spousal support terms and include them in your Marital Dissolution Agreement. Types of spousal support in Tennessee include transitional, rehabilitative, and alimony in futuro. Your agreement should specify the amount, duration, and terms of payment.
6. What happens if we own a business together?
A jointly owned business is a marital asset that must be addressed. Options include one spouse buying out the other’s interest, selling the business and splitting proceeds, or continuing co-ownership with a clear agreement on management and profit distribution.
7. Do we need to appear in court for our uncontested divorce in Lebanon?
In many uncontested cases, a court appearance is not required. The judge can review your signed documents and grant the divorce without you having to appear. We will advise you based on your specific case and the current practices of the Wilson County court.
8. What does your free initial consultation include?
Your free consultation is a no-obligation conversation where we listen to your situation, explain the uncontested divorce process, answer your questions, and help you determine if our flat-fee service is right for you. There’s no pressure, just honest guidance from experienced professionals.