Woodbury Family Lawyer

Experienced Family Law Attorney in Woodbury, TN

There are few legal situations more emotionally complicated than those involving members of a family. Because these cases often involve a tangled web of interconnected issues, you need a legal advocate who has your back and who cares about you as a fellow human being. Whether you are facing property division of a home near Brown Spurlock Park or are facing child custody issues at home on McFerrin Street, a Woodbury family lawyer is here to help.

There are few legal situations more emotionally complicated than those involving members of a family. Because these cases often involve a tangled web of interconnected issues, you need a legal advocate who has your back and who cares about you as a fellow human being. Whether you are facing property division of a home near Brown Spurlock Park or are facing child custody issues at home on McFerrin Street, a Woodbury family lawyer is here to help.

Trust the Team at Boss Law

Since 2004, Boss Law has been helping families around Tennessee reach amicable and favorable solutions to a wide range of legal issues. Our team is led by attorney Mitchell E. Shannon, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Law, so we feel right at home in the Cannon County Courthouse on West Main Street in Woodbury. We have experience handling cases here and can use this experience to benefit your family law case and the interests of you and your loved ones.

Our Murfreesboro office at 1423 Kensington Square Court is about 20 miles from downtown Woodbury via US-70S, roughly a 30-minute drive. You can also meet with us by phone or video, so you do not have to take extra time off work to get answers.

Additionally, members of our team are fluent Spanish speakers, meaning we are here to serve individuals and their families from all backgrounds. We strive to help our clients through these difficult times until the end of the tunnel is reached and the future is looking bright once more. We are here to handle all the legalities of your case so that you can focus on what matters most—the safety and protection of your loved ones and all that you hold dear.

Where Woodbury Family Law Cases Are Heard

Most divorce and family law cases for Woodbury residents are filed in Cannon County, which is part of Tennessee’s 16th Judicial District along with Rutherford County.

• Cannon County Chancery Court: 200 West Main Street, Woodbury, TN 37190. Divorce and domestic relations cases are commonly heard here.
• Cannon County Circuit Court: also hears divorce and family matters.
• Cannon County Juvenile Court: often handles custody, support and paternity cases between parents who were never married.
• Cannon County General Sessions Court: frequently hears order of protection petitions.

Because the 16th Judicial District has its own local rules, working with a lawyer who regularly appears in Cannon and Rutherford County courts helps avoid delays and rejected filings.

Filing for Divorce in Woodbury, TN: Key Requirements

To file for divorce in Tennessee, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before filing (TCA § 36-4-104).

• Grounds: You can file on the no-fault ground of irreconcilable differences or on fault grounds such as adultery or inappropriate marital conduct.
• Waiting period: A no-fault divorce must be on file for at least 60 days if you have no minor children, or 90 days if you do (TCA § 36-4-103).
• Parenting class: Parents of minor children must attend a parent education seminar of at least four hours (TCA § 36-6-408).
• Uncontested vs. contested: An uncontested divorce, where spouses agree on every issue, is usually faster and less expensive. A contested divorce goes through discovery, mediation and possibly trial.

Learn more on our Woodbury divorce lawyer page, or see how much a divorce costs in Tennessee.

How a Family Law Case Works in Cannon County: Step by Step

Most Woodbury family law cases follow these seven steps:

1. Free consultation: We review your goals, your finances and your children’s needs.
2. Filing the complaint: We prepare and file your complaint or petition with the Cannon County court and serve your spouse or the other parent.
3. Temporary orders: If needed, we ask the court for temporary custody, support or possession of the home while the case is pending.
4. Financial disclosure and discovery: Both sides exchange income, asset and debt information.
5. Parenting plan and seminar: Parents complete the required seminar and propose a permanent parenting plan.
6. Mediation: Most contested family cases in Tennessee go to mediation before trial, unless an exception such as domestic abuse applies.
7. Final decree or trial: Agreements are signed into a final decree. If issues remain, the judge decides them at a hearing.

Our Main Practice Areas of Family Law in Woodbury, TN

The state of Tennessee sees an overall divorce rate of 2.9 cases per every 1,000 residents, and a divorce rate of 9.1 per every female member of the population. While divorce is often the most common practice area of family law, at Boss Law, we are also here to help our clients through the following legal issues:

• Child custody: When a divorce involves children, the parents will need to determine how custody of these children is arranged in the event of a divorce, paternity case, or legal separation. If the parents are unable to reach an agreement on custody on their own, they will need to look to a family court judge to make this decision for them. The judge will take certain factors into account to determine the best interests of the child, including:
  • The child’s relationship with each parent, their siblings, and other relatives, including grandparents
  • The affection, love, and emotional ties between the child and each of their parents
  • The willingness of both parents to work together in order to support their child’s well-being
  • If there is any history of substance abuse or domestic violence on the part of either parent
  • If the child is of a certain age and maturity level, the preferences of that child
  • The stability of each parent’s income and their home life
• Child support: Following a divorce, paternity action, or legal separation, one parent may be required to pay child support to the other parent. In 2021 alone, 4.1 million parents across the United States were receiving child support payments in the form of cash. In TN, both parents are held responsible for caring for the financial needs of their children. Typically, the noncustodial parent will be required to offer support to the other.
• Spousal support: In Tennessee, spousal support, also known as alimony, is a legal obligation for the higher-earning spouse to offer financial support to the lower-earning spouse in cases of divorce. Alimony is not involved in every divorce case, however, and there are certain factors that the courts will consider when determining support awards, duration, and amounts, including:
  • The length of the marriage
  • The contributions of each spouse, including staying home and taking care of the household and children
  • The mental and physical health of the lower-earning spouse
  • The standard of living that was established during the marriage
• Property division: In a divorce, Tennessee operates under the law of equitable distribution, meaning that all marital property will be divided equally between the couple, but not necessarily in a perfect 50/50 manner. Marital property includes any assets or debts obtained during the marriage, such as the family home, vehicles, mortgage loans, personal items, business interests, retirement accounts, and credit card debt.
• High net worth divorces: In cases of high-net-worth individuals seeking divorce, the issues of normal divorce cases become all the more heightened. Higher spousal support or child support amounts may be pursued, and the division of marital property may become more complicated, especially when highly valuable assets are taken into consideration, such as multiple real estate properties or substantial collections. Read more about our Woodbury high asset divorce lawyer services.
• Business owner’s divorce: When a business is owned by either one spouse or both and a divorce occurs, it is understandable that you would want to protect your business. A divorce has the potential to harm your business in a variety of ways. An attorney can help obtain a fair business valuation, separate business and personal assets, and negotiate a buyout or payment plan that keeps the business running. A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can also protect a business before problems arise.
• Adoption: In Tennessee, any adult can petition to adopt. Adoption can be a tricky legal issue, however, and the knowledge and experience of a family lawyer is crucial to the success of your adoption. We help with stepparent, relative, private and adult adoptions, including consent, termination of parental rights and the home study. Visit our Woodbury adoption lawyer page.
• Paternity: Paternity actions are difficult cases. Whether you are the child, mother, or alleged father of a child, you need to hire a family lawyer who can help you through the complications and necessary steps of seeking paternity. Maybe you are the supposed father looking to gain custody, or the mother hoping to obtain financial support. Either way, we are here to serve you.
• Domestic Violence and Orders of Protection: If a family or household member has abused, stalked or threatened you, you can ask a Cannon County court for an order of protection. A judge can issue a temporary (ex parte) order the same day, and a full hearing is usually set within about 15 days. Our Woodbury domestic violence lawyer team helps victims request protection and helps accused parties respond. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• Mediation is a confidential meeting where a neutral, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed mediator helps spouses or parents reach an agreement. Most contested divorces and parenting disputes in Tennessee go to mediation before trial. We prepare you for mediation, attend with you and make sure any agreement protects your rights before you sign.
• Post-Divorce Modifications: Custody, parenting time, child support and some alimony orders can be changed when there is a material change in circumstances, such as a job loss, relocation, remarriage or a change in the child’s needs. See our post-divorce modifications lawyer page.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation

Bringing these documents to your first meeting helps us give you a clear, realistic plan:

• Recent pay stubs and the last two years of tax returns
• Bank, retirement and investment account statements
• Mortgage, loan and credit card statements
• Any existing court orders, parenting plans or orders of protection
• A list of your questions and your goals for the children, the home and finances

Not sure what to ask? Use our list of questions to ask a divorce attorney before hiring

FAQS

What Family Law Services Does Boss Law Offer in Woodbury, TN?

Boss Law handles a wide range of family law matters in Woodbury, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support (alimony), property division, high-net-worth divorces, business owner divorces, adoption, and paternity cases.

How Does Tennessee Handle Property Division in a Divorce?

Tennessee follows the law of equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly between spouses, though not necessarily in a strict 50/50 split. Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, such as the family home, vehicles, retirement accounts, business interests, and credit card debt.

What Factors Does a Tennessee Court Consider When Deciding Child Custody?

When parents cannot agree on custody, a family court judge will determine the arrangement based on the best interests of the child. Factors considered include the child’s relationship with each parent and other relatives, the emotional bonds between the child and each parent, each parent’s willingness to support the child’s well-being, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, the child’s own preferences if they are of sufficient age and maturity, and the stability of each parent’s income and home environment.

How Long Do You Have to Live in Tennessee to File for Divorce?

You or your spouse must have lived in Tennessee for at least six months before filing for divorce. Military members stationed in Tennessee for one year or more are presumed to meet this requirement.

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Cannon County?

An uncontested divorce in Cannon County takes at least 60 days without minor children or 90 days with minor children, because of Tennessee’s mandatory waiting period. Contested divorces often take several months to more than a year, depending on the court’s docket and how many issues are disputed.

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Woodbury?

The cost depends mostly on whether your case is uncontested or contested; uncontested cases cost far less. Boss Law offers a free consultation and explains expected fees before you commit.

Is Mediation Required for Divorce in Tennessee?

Yes, in most contested Tennessee divorces and parenting cases, the court requires mediation before trial. Exceptions can apply, such as when there is a history of domestic abuse. Mediation is confidential and led by a Rule 31 listed mediator.

Hire a Family Lawyer From Boss Law Today

If you are facing a family law issue in Woodbury, you need to hire a family lawyer who has experience with the Cannon County court system. We understand that many individuals are concerned about how these cases will impact their loved ones, especially in situations of divorce and child custody. We are dedicated to finding safe and amicable solutions that help you move forward with confidence. Contact our offices today to schedule your free consultation.