How to Prepare for Divorce Before Hiring a Lawyer
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020
Most people take a long time before they finally decide to make the call to a divorce lawyer. Contemplating taking that first step in what is reputed to be a long, expensive and painful process can be overwhelming. We get that. So, here’s a list of things you can do to prepare for divorce before you […]
Read More »When You May Be Awarded Attorney’s Fees
Wednesday, August 5th, 2020
Litigation is expensive, so many people ask us how they can get the opposing party to pay for attorney fees. This is not something that occurs often. Tennessee courts follow the “American Rule,” which is that each person is responsible for their own attorney fees. However, there are instances in which the court may order […]
Read More »Can I get divorced in TN if I was married in a different country?
Thursday, July 30th, 2020
Typically, marriages which are valid and legally performed in a different country are valid in the United States. So if you were legally married in a different country, you should be able to get divorced in Tennessee. That is, as long as you meet the other requirements to file for a divorce. RESIDENCY In order […]
Read More »COVID Divorces: What You Need to Know
Monday, July 20th, 2020
COVID-19 is not just impacting how we co-parent. It’s having undeniable effects on the divorce process. Social distancing and isolation measures have put an unusual degree of strain on marriages. The inability to see extended family, to have a drink with friends, or even just spend some time alone can create tension in the happiest […]
Read More »An Open Letter to Mental Health Professionals
Wednesday, July 15th, 2020
Dear Mental Health Professionals: I am a family lawyer. For the last 25 years, I have represented families in crisis. I have read reports, deposed and examined psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers and mental health professionals more times than I can count. The questions I get the most from folks in your field are, […]
Read More »Should I Record My Children or Spouse for Evidence?
Monday, July 6th, 2020
Maybe you know your spouse is lying. Maybe your kids want to live with you and just don’t want to tell the other parent. Maybe your partner is verbally abusive when no one is listening. Maybe your spouse has admitted something that will help you in court. You have your phone in your pocket, ready to […]
Read More »Service by Publication: What if I Can’t Find My Spouse?
Friday, June 5th, 2020
People sometimes leave their spouses for reasons that lead to separating for a long period of time before filing for divorce. During that time, you may not have any contact with your spouse. This is often the case if that spouse was abusive, an addict, or in jail. The good news is that, in a […]
Read More »Rule 53 and the Rise of Collaborative Law
Wednesday, May 27th, 2020
People who come to our office looking to start the divorce process are often surprised to learn that there are alternatives to litigating in court. For clients who can maintain a good working relationship with their spouse and have no history of domestic violence in their current marriage, one of those alternatives could be collaborative […]
Read More »What Factors are Considered in a High Asset Divorce?
Friday, May 22nd, 2020
Going through a high asset divorce seems daunting. If you and your spouse have acquired substantial assets during your marriage, you may be concerned about the impact of a divorce on those assets. Tennessee statutes require that the court divide your assets equitably if you cannot reach an agreement outside of court through mediation or negotiation. The statutes list […]
Read More »How to Modify Alimony Payments
Wednesday, May 20th, 2020
When a divorce is finalized, there may be an award of spousal support known as alimony. After time passes, one of the parties from the divorce may want or need to modify alimony payments. The first step to determining if the alimony payments can change is to determine the type of alimony awarded in the […]
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