Divorce

SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE LEGAL SERVICES

 

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SELF-HELP IN A TENNESSEE DIVORCE CASE

We list below EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS and PLEADINGS that will assist you in representing yourself SUCCESSFULLY in a divorce case. In addition, we offer WORKSHOPS conducted by lawyers to guide you through the legal process. Other than court costs that you may have to pay, this is free do-it-yourself Tennessee divorce information.

The booklets and pleadings are available in Microsoft Word.  Please click below to get a copy. (Most forms and booklets have been copyrighted in 2004 by Southeast Tennessee Legal Services.)

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EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS

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Represent Yourself? (3  pages)        Word             Read this first.

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Uncontested Divorce (16 pages)    Word             Read this second.

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Contested Divorce (19 pages)        Word              Or this second.

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Serving Legal Process (5 pages)     Word                   

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Parenting Plans (8 pages)               Word              Vital for parents.   

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Mediation (3 pages)                          Word                     

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Your Day in Court (4 pages)               Word                 

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Child Support (6 pages)                   Word              

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Child Custody  (2 pages)                       Word              How to modify.

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Common Mistakes (2 pages)             Word                   

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Court Costs (1 page)                         Word                     

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Limited Representation (1 page)     Word             Partial legal help.

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Legal Terms (5 pages)                      Word                     

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Subpoenas (4 pages)                        Word                     

 

PLEADINGS

 

The entire set of forms totals well over 100 pages. Only a portion of them will be needed in a given case. Instead, use individual forms below. Many are two or three pages. Please read the instruction booklet for "Uncontested Divorce" or "Contested Divorce" before deciding which forms to select. They contain careful instructions about which forms you will need.

 

These forms change regularly, so be sure to check for the latest versions. The revision date is noted at the bottom of a form. YOU CANNOT COMPLETE THESE FORMS ONLINE AND MUST DOWNLOAD THEM or ORDER A SET FROM US BY CLICKING HERE. THE SET WILL BE SENT BY MAIL TO YOU.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU FEAR FOR YOUR SAFETY, YOU MAY NEED AN ORDER OF PROTECTION BEFORE YOU FILE FOR DIVORCE. Click here for information.

                                                          

Initial Pleadings:

Complaint (Form 100)                                          Word             

Answer (Form 110)                                               Word              

Amendment (Form 115)                                      Word             

 

Initial Filing in the Clerk’s Office:

Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form 10)                       Word              

Affidavit of Indigency (Form 30)                         Word           

Statutory Injunction (Form 300)                         Word            

 

Serving Process on the Defendant: 

Summons (Form 40)                                              Word              

Affidavit of Service (Form 50)                              Word             

Service by Publication (Form 60)                        Word             

 

Parenting Plans:

Temporary Parenting Plan (Form 140)               Word             

Permanent Parenting Plan (Form 145)               Word             

 

Motions:

Motion for Injunctive Relief (Form 200)              Word             

Motion for Temporary Relief (Form 210)             Word             

Motion (Form 220)                                                   Word             

Motion to Set Date of Hearing (Form 225)          Word             

Statement in Support of Motion (Form 230)       Word             

Motion for Default Judgment (Form 240)            Word             

 

Orders:

Injunction (Form 310)                                             Word             

Temporary Order (Form 320)                                 Word             

Order (Form 330)                                                     Word             

Order Regarding Mediation (Form 334)               Word              

Order Setting Date of Hearing (Form 335)          Word             

Order Regarding Parent Education (Form 336)  Word             

Wage Assignment Order (Form 340)                    Word             

Order Granting Default Judgment (Form 360)    Word             

 

Preparation for Trial:

Subpoena (Form 260)                                              Word             

Witness and Exhibit Lists (Form 270)                   Word             

Financial Declarations (Form 280)                        Word             

Discovery Requests (Form 290)                            Word             

 

Concluding the Case:

Marital Dissolution Agreement (Form 400)                            Word           

Final Decree of Divorce (Default) (Form 410)                        Word           

Final Decree of Divorce (with MDA) (Form 411)                    Word               

Final Decree of Divorce (Contested Case) (Form 412)        Word            

Title IV-D Information (Form 415)                                           Word            

 

Appealing, Modifying or Enforcing the Final Decree:

Notice of Appeal (Form 420)                                                      Word         

Petition for Modification or Enforcement (Form 430)           Word          

Visitation Petition (Form 431)                                                   Word            

Child Support Petition (Form 432)                                            Word          

Petition for Registration of a Foreign Decree (Form 437)    Word          

Order Registering Foreign Decree of Divorce (Form 438)    Word          

Request for Hearing before Judge (Form 439)                       Word          

Order Modifying or Enforcing the Final Decree (Form 440)  Word          

 

BE SURE TO READ THE EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE FORMS ABOVE.

  

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We aim to work with other lawyers, judges and clerks to make representing yourself in a divorce case a feasible goal for those persons who cannot obtain a lawyer. We believe that the combination of pre-prepared forms, instruction booklets,  and workshops conducted by lawyers -- a three-part process that we call supervised self-help -- is the best solution when lawyers are unaffordable.

Although our efforts are directed at helping people to represent themselves, we remain convinced that lawyers are essential for persons who have the money for professional fees. Family law is complicated and can produce unexpected difficulties. Dividing retirement plans and jointly owned property are examples. Indeed, we do not plan to offer booklets and forms about them; individual advice is almost always needed. Even apparently simple and desirable things like mediation can have unwanted ramifications. On these and other subjects, a lawyer can be a valuable guide and counselor.

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We are indebted to the Benwood Foundation and the Administrative Office of the Courts for the grants that enabled us to produce the information offered here.

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