Collaborative Divorce Attorney in Memphis, TN

Not every divorce has to be a high-intensity war in a courtroom. If you and your spouse are both willing to sit down and work through the details together, and then walk away with an agreement you actually had a say in, collaborative divorce might be exactly what your family needs. And if you’re looking for a collaborative divorce attorney in Memphis, TN who can help you through the process with both expertise and strategy, you’re at the right place. 

At Psonya Hackett Law, we believe the courtroom isn’t always the answer. Sometimes the best outcome for everyone (especially your kids) comes from choosing a more respectful path forward.

What Exactly is a Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is an out-of-court process where both spouses agree upfront to work together with their attorneys to reach a fair settlement without a judge making decisions for them. It’s way more peaceful than going to court. 

In Memphis, Tennessee, this process is governed by Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 53, which took effect on April 4, 2019. Under Rule 53, both parties sign a Collaborative Law Participation Agreement committing to resolve their divorce outside of court, with each spouse represented by their own collaborative attorney. The participation agreement lays out the ground rules for the entire process. It includes a withdrawal provision stating that if the collaborative process breaks down and litigation becomes necessary, both attorneys must step aside, and the parties start over with new counsel. The attorneys will not litigate.

Who is Collaborative Divorce Right For?

Collaborative divorce works best when both spouses are committed to honest communication and reaching a fair outcome, even if the marriage itself ended badly. It’s a strong fit for couples who:

• Have children and want to keep a functional co-parenting relationship

• Want more control over the outcome than a judge's ruling would give them

• Have significant assets or finances to untangle and want privacy in doing it

• Want to move through the process faster and with less stress than traditional litigation

• Simply want to end the marriage with respect on both sides

It’s not the right fit for every situation; if there’s a history of domestic violence, hidden assets, or one spouse acting in bad faith, the court proceedings of a normal divorce will probably add better protections. As your collaborative divorce attorney in Memphis, TN, Psonya Hackett will give you an honest opinion from a legal and personal viewpoint on whether this choice makes sense for your specific circumstances. We focus on transparency.

What the Collaborative Divorce Process Looks Like in Memphis, TN

Once both spouses sign the participation agreement under Rule 53, you'll meet in a series of sessions—at our East Memphis office on Lynnfield Road or over Zoom—working through each issue on a gradient: property, parenting, support, and anything else that needs to be resolved.

Depending on your situation, your collaborative divorce attorney in Memphis, TN, might also include a neutral financial professional or a child specialist. The keyword is neutral—instead of each side paying for their own competing experts, you share one. That keeps costs down and keeps everyone focused on the same goal.

Once you've reached a full agreement, it goes to the Shelby County Chancery or Circuit Court at 140 Adams Avenue for final approval. Under Rule 53, the court's job at that point is simply to sign off on what you've already decided together—not to rewrite it.

Why Psonya Hackett Law?

Our founding attorney, Psonya Hackett, has over 26 years of family law experience in Tennessee and Mississippi. She is a JD/MBA and a CDC Certified Divorce Coach. Psonya knows the legal and financial side of divorce inside out—and she understands the emotional side too.

As your collaborative divorce attorney in Memphis, TN, she's in your corner at every meeting, making sure you understand what you're agreeing to, that nothing gets overlooked, and that the final deal is actually fair to you.

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