Family Attorney in Hendersonville, TN
Family law centers on some of the most sensitive aspects of our lives and can be difficult to navigate on your own. It’s common to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when disputes between relatives, co-parents, or other family members require legal intervention. A Hendersonville family lawyer can help you through this difficult period. They can advise you at each stage of your case and work for an optimal outcome.
About Phillips | Ralston
Phillips | Ralston has committed many years to aiding the people of Hendersonville, Gallatin, and communities throughout Sumner County with their family law cases. Our team of lawyers has over a century of combined legal experience in legal matters that we can use for your case.
Partner Lindsey Ralston is well-respected in the legal community, serving as the past president of the Sumner County Bar Association, and in 2025 was selected as a Super Lawyer. * She is passionate about helping families in Hendersonville resolve their legal conflicts effectively and with compassionate care.
Experience You Can Trust. Speak with a Phillips | Ralston
attorney today.
Overview of Family Law Cases in Hendersonville, Tennessee
Family law encompasses a wide range of legal matters centered on familial relationships. The most common type of family law case is divorce, with an average divorce rate of 2.9 per 1,000 people in the state in 2023, which is significantly higher than the national figure of 2.4 per 1,000 residents. There were 22,487 divorces filed statewide in fiscal year 2024-2025. Sumner County accounted for 750 divorces during the same period, comprising 350 cases with children and 400 without.
Tennessee family law cases typically go through either the Chancery or Circuit Court system. For Henderson family law cases, both courtrooms are located inside the Sumner County Courthouse at 155 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066.
Types of Family Law Cases We Represent
Every family law case requires a unique approach. The types of cases that Phillips | Ralston regularly handles include:
- Divorce. Divorce in Tennessee can either be no-fault or fault-based. Valid grounds for a fault-based divorce include bigamy, abuse, adultery, impotency, addiction, or criminal convictions.
- Property division. Property division is the process by which marital property is distributed between parties in a divorce. Most assets are considered marital property to be split fairly if they were not owned before the union, or were gifts or inheritance.
- Spousal support. Spousal support, or alimony, is a payment provided by one spouse to another. It can be granted in short or long-term forms.
- Child custody. Custody in Tennessee is comprised of physical custody, the time a child spends with each parent, and legal custody, or decision-making abilities. Courts prioritize 50/50 joint custody. Any agreement requires a parenting plan.
- Child support. Child support is based on the combined income of both parents, the number of children, and the percentage of parenting time.
- Mediation. Mediation involves a neutral third-party attorney facilitating discussion so conversations remain productive.
- Nuptial agreements. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can be created before or after a marriage. They can be useful tools in mitigating future conflicts.
Hire a Family Lawyer
While you may handle any family law case on your own, the sensitive nature of these proceedings makes it difficult. It is recommended that you hire a family lawyer to advocate for you. Your Hendersonville family attorney can be at your side for every step of the process. Some of the many benefits that Phillips | Ralston can provide include:
- Organizing financial records
- Drafting and filing all necessary paperwork
- Gathering supporting evidence
- Developing a strategy that matches your circumstances
- Negotiating on your behalf during discussions
- Representing you in all court hearings and appearances
FAQs
What Mistakes Should You Avoid in a Tennessee Family Law Case?
The mistakes you should avoid in your Tennessee family law case change depending on the scenario and legal issues. One general error to avoid is being difficult in discussions. While it is important to advocate for yourself, combative behavior in any legal matter can escalate a case and harm your argument before a judge.
Another blunder to avoid is contacting involved parties outside of formal discussions. Any agreement made this way is unenforceable and can cause complications.
How Long Does a Family Law Case Take to Resolve?
The total length of your Tennessee family law case depends on many variables, such as the type of case, the level of cooperation between parties, the complexity of the case, and whether litigation is necessary. A post-divorce alimony modification with a quick agreement between spouses tends to take less time than a contested high-value divorce involving minor children. Your attorney can provide a rough timeline for your case based on its specifics.
Does Every Family Law Case Require a Trial?
Some people dealing with family disputes wonder if every family law case must go through a full trial. In Tennessee, the vast majority of civil legal matters are settled outside of court. In fiscal year 2024-2025, only 189 of the 1,409 total disposed civil Circuit cases in Sumner County were resolved through trial. Skilled legal counsel can examine your case and determine the likelihood of your matter requiring a trial.
Does Each Spouse Get Half of All Marital Property in a Tennessee Divorce?
One common point of confusion in divorce cases is whether the spouse is automatically guaranteed half of all shared property. Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, meaning assets are divided based on what is fair rather than a 50/50 distribution. Factors a judge may consider include the length of the marriage, each party’s health, their respective income capacities, contribution to the marriage, and any other elements deemed relevant.
Speak With a Hendersonville Family Lawyer Today
At Phillips | Raston, we understand the many challenges that you can deal with in a family law case. Our team can draw on decades of experience to help you through your legal matter and work for the outcome you desire.
Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation. In this meeting, we can discuss the details of your case, learn about the issues you face, and explore options for resolving your family law matter. You may also visit our Gallatin offices, located on Kennesaw Boulevard.
*Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.
