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An uncontested divorce in Tennessee is a divorce where both spouses agree, or come to an agreement, on all of the major terms of the divorce. Generally, an uncontested divorce will be on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, or in some cases, for being separated for more than two years. An uncontested divorce is the most amicable type of divorce and can save spouses both a lot of time, money, and heartache. However, this does not mean that uncontested divorces always go as planned. Even if you meet the requirements to file for an uncontested divorce, it is still recommended that you hire a lawyer. A qualified divorce attorney can ensure that the legal requirements for a divorce are met while still keeping your best interests in mind. Divorce attorneys have experience negotiating divorce settlements, known as Marital Dissolution Agreements, and even in an uncontested divorce, there can be disagreements that require a compromise before the divorce can be finalized. An experienced divorce attorney can take the stress of navigating the complex legal system out of your hands and ensure all of the correct documents are filed and served properly. Having a lawyer to review the final paperwork before submitting it to the court ensures that you fully understand the consequences of the divorce agreement you are entering with your spouse.

What all is involved in a divorce with minor children? Property Division: For a divorce in Tennessee, marital property is divided through equitable distribution. Marital property is anything that either party acquired after the marriage. Marital property must be divided equitably and in a manner that is reasonable and fair, although not necessarily equally. If one spouse has spent all of their time at home with the children, for example, the judge will view that time as a homemaker as a substantial contribution to maintaining the household. Who gets the house? The judge will view the marital residence as marital property, and not as an emotional place where the children should remain. If the parties can’t reach an agreement as to who should remain in the home, and how the other spouse should receive their portion of the equity, the judge will order the house be sold and will divide any profit equitably. Parenting Plan: In Tennessee, a “Permanent Parenting Plan” (PPP) is required to be filed in order for parents of minor children to get a divorce. PPPs can be completed by the parties or their attorneys and are formal, enforceable agreements. If the parties cannot agree to the terms of a PPP, each parent must file his or her own proposed PPP with the court and may be required to attend mediation to resolve the differences. If an agreement on the differences cannot be met during mediation, the court will determine a PPP for the parties. Drafting a PPP correctly and in a way that the judge will approve is very difficult and should not be attempted without the assistance of a qualified divorce attorney. Parenting Education Seminar: A Parenting Education Seminar gives parents information to deal with their children and with each other during and after the divorce. In any divorce where a PPP is entered, each parent is required to attend a Class. However, if the parties have reach an agreement on all of the terms of the PPP, the parties can file a waiver asking the court to waive the parenting seminar requirement. Child Support: Child support calculations are complicated, but essentially the court will determine the parties' incomes and will establish a total "household" income. A parenting schedule is then established, resulting in the total number of days each parent will exercise parenting time. The total household income is then divided between those parenting days, to provide a consistent standard of living for the child regardless of which home they are in. See our education center post on Child Support here for more info.

How is Property Divided in a Divorce in Tennessee? Property owned during a marriage in Tennessee is classified as either separate property or martial property. Understanding the difference is vital for many spouses when considering divorce because while marital property is divided among the divorcing spouses, separate property is not. Separate property or “non-marital property” generally consists of all real and personal property owned before marriage, in addition to gifts and inheritances acquired at any time. Separate property is not subject to equitable division by a divorce court. Thus, each spouse keeps his or her separate property following a divorce. On the other hand, marital property is defined as any assets or property acquired by either you or your spouse during the marriage. Tennessee is an “equitable distribution” state which means that the court must divide marital property equitably. However, an equitable division of marital property does not necessarily mean an equal division of property, and marital property will not always be divided 50/50. Under Tennessee law, there are several factors considered by the court when equitably dividing marital property: The duration of the marriage; The age, physical and mental health, vocational skills, employability, earning capacity, estate, financial liabilities and financial needs of each of the parties; The tangible or intangible contribution by one party to the education, training, or increased earning power of the other party; The relative ability of each party for future acquisitions of capital assets and income; The contribution of each party to the acquisition, preservation, appreciation, depreciation or dissipation of the marital or separate property, including the contribution of a party to the marriage as homemaker, wage earner or parent, with the contribution of a party as homemaker or wage earner to be given the same weight if each party has fulfilled its role; The value of the separate property of each party; The estate of each party at the time of the marriage; The economic circumstances of each party at the time the division of property is to become effective; The tax consequences to each party, costs associated with the reasonably foreseeable sale of the asset, and other reasonably foreseeable expenses associated with the asset; The amount of social security benefits available to each spouse; and Such other factors as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties. Furthermore, under Tennessee law, separate property or the appreciation of that separate property can become marital property. If the non-owning spouse proves that both spouses substantially contributed to the separate property’s preservation and appreciation, the income and appreciation of that separate property during the marriage may be classified as marital property. A substantial contribution may include, but is not limited to, the direct or indirect contributions of a spouse as a homemaker, wage earner, parent or family financial manager, together with other factors that court may determine. There are also two additional ways under Tennessee law that separate property can become marital property: transmutation and commingling. Transmutation occurs when separate property is treated in a manner as to give evidence of an intention that it becomes marital property. Commingling occurs when separate property is “inextricably mingled” with marital property or with the separate property of the other spouse. For more information on Divorce in Nashville, Tennesse, check out our Education Center. Divorce is a big life decision with serious ramifications relating to property division. If you are considering divorce, call the attorneys at Ryan C. Davis Law, PLLC today at (615) 649-0110.

How Long Do I Have to Live in Tennessee Before I Can Get Divorced? Generally speaking, you must reside in Tennessee for at least 6 months before you can file for divorce in Tennessee. How Long Does a Divorce Take? For a divorce where there are no minor children involved, there is a mandatory 60-day “cooling off” period after one spouse files the Divorce Complaint before your divorce can be finalized. Thus, the quickest that a divorce without children can be completed is 60 days. If the divorcing couple has minor children, the cooling off period is extended to 90 days. These cooling off periods are intentionally designed to slow down divorces so that divorcing couples can contemplate whether or not getting divorced is what they actually desire to do. In reality, even amicable uncontested divorces often take a few months to complete, provided your attorney is being thorough and ensuring your divorce is handled properly. On the other hand, a contested divorce can take anywhere from a few months to several years to complete, depending on a variety of factors. Can I Get an Annulment? Rarely. In an annulment, the court treats the couple as if they were never married. An annulment may be available if the marriage was entered into illegally, such as one of the parties already being married or if the marriage was based on fraud or duress. But typically most marriages don’t meet the requirements for an annulment. What is Mediation and When is it Necessary? Mediation is an out-of-court process for divorcing spouses to settle issues related to their divorce, in lieu of having a trial in order for a judge to decide. A mediator, who is a trained, neutral third-party, will facilitate a conversation between the spouses to attempt to settle any divorce-related issues. Mediation is often beneficial when dealing with child custody and visitation issues. Many divorcing parties want to attempt mediation prematurely and without the assistance of an attorney. However, mediation is much more successful if the parties’ attorneys have been able to narrow down the issues that are in dispute and focus the mediation on only the most difficult issues in the case. What if My Spouse Won’t Participate in the Divorce Process? In Tennessee, if a spouse refuses to participate in the divorce after being served with a divorce complaint, there are ways to move the divorce forward. Once a party has filed and served the divorce Complaint on the other party, he or she will have 30 days to file an Answer to the Complaint with the court. If an Answer is not filed, your attorney can then file a Motion for Default Judgment, which is asking the court to grant the divorce by default. If the judge determines that the divorce papers have been properly served and there has been ample time for the opposing party to file his or her Answer, the judge can grant a Default Judgment for divorce, despite the fact that one spouse did not sign anything or participate in the divorce process. Is Tennessee a No-Fault Divorce State? Yes. Tennessee offers both fault and no-fault ground divorces. A no-fault ground for divorce essentially means that the divorcing couple agrees to the statements in the divorce complaint and are asking the court to approve their agreed-upon divorce. This is commonly referred to as an “irreconcilable differences” or uncontested divorce, meaning that the divorcing couple agrees that there is no way they can repair their relationship and thus, they have irreconcilable differences that prevents them from living together as husband and wife. This type of divorce can only be used when the divorce is uncontested, and there is no dispute as to how marital property should be divided. How Much Does a Contested Divorce Cost? It is nearly impossible to estimate the cost of a contested divorce. That is why divorce attorneys typically require retainers and bill hourly for contested divorces. For some divorcing couples navigating a contested divorce, meaning there are a few issues that the parties can’t agree upon, the cost may be just a few thousand dollars. However, for divorcing couples who are experiencing significant disagreements on matters such as property division, child custody, and alimony, there is literally no limit as to what a divorce might cost. Can I Restore My Maiden Name at the Time of Divorce? Yes, a divorcing wife may restore her last name to her maiden name as a part of the divorce proceeding, and it is very common for a divorcing spouse to do so. How Quickly After a Divorce can a Spouse Re-Marry? In Tennessee, you cannot remarry until your divorce has been final for 30 days, as there is a 30-day appeal period following the entry of the divorce decree. However, common sense would probably say to give it some time before remarrying in any event. Can I Date Someone Else While My Divorce Is Pending? Although many divorcing spouses begin dating once they are separated from their spouse, it is important to remember that engaging in a romantic relationship before your divorce is final is still considered adultery. Depending on the issues in your case, this could have an impact of the outcome of your divorce. In short, don't start dating until you are divorced.

¿Cómo se calcula la manutención de los hijos? Los cálculos de manutención infantil en Tennessee son complicados, pero esencialmente el tribunal determinará los ingresos de las partes y establecerá un ingreso total "del hogar". Luego se establece un horario de crianza, que da como resultado el número total de días que cada padre ejercerá el tiempo de crianza. Luego, el ingreso total del hogar se divide entre esos días de crianza, para proporcionar un nivel de vida constante para el niño, independientemente del hogar en el que se encuentre. Los siguientes factores determinan la manutención de los hijos: El ingreso bruto de cada padre. La cantidad de tiempo que cada padre pasa con sus hijos. El número de niños que reciben apoyo. Los ingresos de cada padre: En el caso más simple, su ingreso bruto se encontrará en su formulario W-2. Sin embargo, en algunos casos determinar los ingresos puede resultar más difícil. Como regla general, los ingresos incluyen todo el dinero recibido de cualquier fuente e incluye cosas como ganancias de juegos de azar, pagos por incapacidad, pagos de compensación laboral y dinero recibido de demandas o reclamos por lesiones personales. La cantidad de tiempo que cada padre pasa con el niño: Por lo general, cuanto más tiempo pasa un padre con su hijo, menos debe pagar en concepto de manutención. La lógica es que los padres gastarán dinero para satisfacer las necesidades y el bienestar de sus hijos cuando estén con ellos. La manutención de los hijos tiene como objetivo mantener ese apoyo financiero cuando los hijos están con su otro padre. El número de niños que reciben apoyo: La cantidad de niños que reciben manutención se tiene en cuenta en el monto total de manutención infantil necesaria, y los padres recibirán crédito en la hoja de cálculo de manutención infantil por cualquier manutención infantil que puedan estar pagando por niños con padres diferentes. Otro crédito otorgado a cada padre: Además de recibir crédito por cualquier otro niño que cada padre ya esté manteniendo, ambos padres recibirán crédito en la hoja de cálculo de manutención infantil por los gastos de cuidado infantil relacionados con el trabajo que están pagando y por las primas del seguro médico pagadas por la parte del seguro médico de los niños. Los pasos básicos que tomará el tribunal para determinar la manutención de los hijos son: Se realiza una determinación de los ingresos de las partes; Se establece un ingreso total "del hogar" de ambas partes; Se establece un horario de crianza, dando como resultado el número total de días que ejercerá cada padre; y El ingreso total del hogar se divide entre esos días de crianza, para proporcionar un nivel de vida constante para el niño independientemente del hogar en el que se encuentre. La manutención de los hijos es complicada. Le sugerimos contratar a un abogado para que le ayude a garantizar que la manutención de los hijos se haya calculado correctamente y que usted obtenga todo el crédito al que tiene derecho. Para programar una consulta con nuestros abogados de divorcio, llame al 1-888-368-2269.

¿Cuánto tiempo debo vivir en Tennessee antes de poder divorciarme? En términos generales, debe residir en Tennessee durante al menos 6 meses antes de poder solicitar el divorcio en Tennessee. ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva un divorcio? Para un divorcio en el que no hay hijos menores involucrados, existe un período obligatorio de "reflexión" de 60 días después de que uno de los cónyuges presenta la demanda de divorcio antes de que se pueda finalizar el divorcio. Por tanto, lo más rápido que se puede completar un divorcio sin hijos es 60 días. Si la pareja que se divorcia tiene hijos menores, el plazo de reflexión se amplía a 90 días. Estos períodos de reflexión están diseñados intencionalmente para ralentizar los divorcios, de modo que las parejas que se divorcian puedan contemplar si divorciarse es lo que realmente desean hacer o no. En realidad, incluso los divorcios amistosos y sin oposición suelen tardar unos meses en completarse, siempre que su abogado sea minucioso y se asegure de que su divorcio se maneje adecuadamente. Por otro lado, un divorcio con disputa puede tardar desde unos pocos meses hasta varios años en completarse, dependiendo de una variedad de factores. ¿Puedo obtener una anulación? Casi nunca. En una anulación, el tribunal trata a la pareja como si nunca hubieran estado casados. Una anulación puede estar disponible si el matrimonio se celebró ilegalmente, como si una de las partes ya estuviera casada o si el matrimonio se basó en fraude o coacción. Pero normalmente la mayoría de los matrimonios no cumplen con los requisitos para una anulación. ¿Qué es la mediación y cuándo es necesaria? La mediación es un proceso extrajudicial para que los cónyuges que se divorcian resuelvan cuestiones relacionadas con su divorcio, en lugar de tener un juicio para que un juez decida. Un mediador, que es un tercero neutral y capacitado, facilitará una conversación entre los cónyuges para intentar resolver cualquier problema relacionado con el divorcio. La mediación suele ser beneficiosa cuando se trata de cuestiones de custodia y visitas de los hijos. Muchas partes en divorcio quieren intentar la mediación prematuramente y sin la asistencia de un abogado. Sin embargo, la mediación es mucho más exitosa si los abogados de las partes han podido limitar los temas en disputa y enfocar la mediación solo en los temas más difíciles del caso. ¿Qué pasa si mi cónyuge no participa en el proceso de divorcio? En Tennessee, si un cónyuge se niega a participar en el divorcio después de haber recibido una demanda de divorcio, existen formas de hacer avanzar el divorcio. Una vez que una de las partes haya presentado y notificado la demanda de divorcio a la otra parte, tendrá 30 días para presentar una respuesta a la demanda ante el tribunal. Si no se presenta una respuesta, su abogado puede presentar una moción de sentencia por defecto, que solicita al tribunal que conceda el divorcio por defecto. Si el juez determina que los documentos de divorcio se han entregado correctamente y ha habido tiempo suficiente para que la parte contraria presente su respuesta, el juez puede otorgar una sentencia por defecto para el divorcio, a pesar de que uno de los cónyuges no firmó nada ni participó en el proceso de divorcio. ¿Es Tennessee un estado de divorcio sin culpa? Sí. Tennessee ofrece divorcios por motivos tanto con culpa como sin culpa. Un motivo de divorcio sin culpa significa esencialmente que la pareja que se divorcia está de acuerdo con las declaraciones de la demanda de divorcio y solicita al tribunal que apruebe su divorcio acordado. Esto se conoce comúnmente como “diferencias irreconciliables” o divorcio sin disputa, lo que significa que la pareja que se divorcia acepta que no hay manera de reparar su relación y, por lo tanto, tienen diferencias irreconciliables que les impiden vivir juntos como marido y mujer. Este tipo de divorcio sólo se puede utilizar cuando el divorcio es de mutuo acuerdo y no hay disputa sobre cómo se deben dividir los bienes conyugales. ¿Cuánto cuesta un divorcio disputado? Es casi imposible estimar el costo de un divorcio con disputa. Es por eso que los abogados de divorcios generalmente exigen anticipos y facturan por horas para los divorcios con disputas. Para algunas parejas que se divorcian y que atraviesan un divorcio disputados, es decir, que hay algunas cuestiones en las que las partes no pueden ponerse de acuerdo, el costo puede ser de sólo unos pocos miles de dólares. Sin embargo, para las parejas que se divorcian y que están experimentando desacuerdos importantes en asuntos como la división de bienes, la custodia de los hijos y la pensión alimenticia, literalmente no hay límite en cuanto a lo que podría costar un divorcio. ¿Puedo restaurar mi apellido de soltera o soltero al momento del divorcio? Sí, una esposa que se divorcia puede restaurar su apellido acutal a su apellido de soltera como parte del procedimiento de divorcio, y es muy común que un cónyuge que se divorcia lo haga. ¿Qué tan rápido después de un divorcio puede un cónyuge volver a casarse? En Tennessee, no puede volver a casarse hasta que su divorcio haya sido definitivo durante 30 días, ya que existe un período de apelación de 30 días después de la emisión de la sentencia de divorcio. Sin embargo, el sentido común probablemente diría que, en cualquier caso, se le dé algo de tiempo antes de volver a casarse. ¿Puedo salir con otra persona mientras mi divorcio está pendiente? Aunque muchos cónyuges que se divorcian comienzan a salir una vez que se separan de su cónyuge, es importante recordar que entablar una relación romántica antes de que el divorcio sea definitivo todavía se considera adulterio. Dependiendo de los problemas de su caso, esto podría tener un impacto en el resultado de su divorcio. En resumen, no empieces a tener citas hasta que estés divorciado. Para programar una consulta con nuestros abogados de divorcio, llame al 1-888-368-2269.

How Alimony is Calculated in Tennessee? Divorce is never easy, and one of the more complicated aspects of a divorce can be the determination of alimony. In Tennessee, alimony (or spousal support) is awarded primarily based on a disadvantaged spouse’s financial need, and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Types of Alimony in Tennessee Tennessee recognizes four types of alimony, each with a different purpose: Transitional Alimony: This is probably the most common form of alimony in Tennessee. Transitional alimony is awarded when one spouse needs time to adjust to the financial changes following a divorce. It's usually short-term and helps the recipient transition to a new lifestyle. Transitional alimony is non-modifiable, meaning that neither party can go back to court to change the amount or duration of the alimony. Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is designed to support a spouse who needs time and financial assistance to become self-sufficient or receive career training. The goal is to help the receiving spouse gain the education or training necessary to re-enter the workforce. Rehabilitative alimony is modifiable, meaning that either party can go back to court and attempt to change the amount or duration of the alimony, if the disadvantaged party needs a shorter or longer period of time to rehabilitate their finances. Alimony in Solido (Lump-Sum Alimony): Also known as lump-sum alimony, alimony in Solido is a fixed amount of money that is paid either in one payment or in installments. It is often used to balance the division of marital property. Alimony in Solido is typically non-modifiable. Alimony in Futuro: This is long-term alimony is awarded when it's unlikely that the receiving spouse will ever become financially independent. Alimony In Futuro is typically only appropriate in divorces involving marriages of long duration, and where one spouse was financially disadvantaged throughout the majority of the marriage. Alimony In Futuro is typically paid until the receiving spouse remarries or either spouse dies, and it can be modified if the financial circumstances of either party changes significantly. Factors Considered in Alimony Calculations In Tennessee, there is no set formula for calculating alimony. Instead, the courts consider a variety of factors to determine the amount and duration of the support, including: Each spouse’s earning capacity, debts, and financial resources; The education and earning potential of each spouse; The duration of the marriage; The age, mental, and physical condition of each spouse; The impact of employment on the children’s best interests; The division of marital property; The standard of living during the marriage; and Any fault or misconduct by either spouse, where relevant. Reach out to the divorce attorneys at Ryan C. Davis Law, PLLC for comprehensive legal guidance in all aspects of family law, including alimony. Call 615-649-0110 to schedule a consultation today.

What is a Legal Separation in Tennessee? Legal separation in Tennessee is an alternative to divorce that allows couples to live apart while remaining legally married. This option can be suitable for couples who are not ready for divorce, for whatever reason, but need to address issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support. Unlike simply living apart, a legal separation involves a court order that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each spouse during the separation period. This can include decisions about child custody, visitation, alimony, and the division of assets and debts. Essentially, a legal separation requires the same legal steps as a divorce, but the outcomes are different. How Does Legal Separation Work in Tennessee? To obtain a legal separation in Tennessee, one spouse must file a complaint in court, similar to a divorce complaint. The complaint for legal separation must contain one of the grounds for divorce provided by law, just as with a complaint for divorce. When there is a division of property, any property acquired after the separation will be considered separate property. However, because the marriage is not dissolved, neither spouse can remarry during the legal separation period. Why Choose Legal Separation? Couples may choose legal separation for various reasons. For some, religious or moral beliefs make legal separation more appealing than divorce, as it allows them to live apart while still honoring their values. Financial benefits are another critical consideration, as legal separation permits spouses to remain on each other’s health insurance or continue receiving other benefits that might be forfeited in a divorce. Additionally, legal separation provides couples with time and space to work on their relationship, offering an opportunity for reconciliation without the finality of a divorce. Can Legal Separation Lead to Divorce? Yes, legal separation can be a step toward divorce. After two years of legal separation, either party can file a petition for a divorce stating that the parties have not reconciled and the court will grant them a divorce, even if the other spouse objects. Alternatively, if the parties reconcile, either party can file a petition to dismiss the legal separation and resume their marriage. Reach out to the divorce attorneys at Ryan C. Davis Law, PLLC for comprehensive legal guidance in all aspects of family law, including legal separation. Call 615-649-0110 to schedule a consultation today.

What Are the Different Types of Alimony in Tennessee? Tennessee law recognizes four different types of alimony: (1) rehabilitative alimony; (2) alimony in futuro; (3) transitional alimony; and (4) alimony in solido (also called lump sum alimony). A judge may award these types of alimony separately or in combination. Rehabilitative Alimony The Tennessee statute on alimony, codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, provides that rehabilitative alimony is favored. The law provides: “It is the intent of the general assembly that a spouse, who is economically disadvantaged relative to the other spouse, be rehabilitated, whenever possible, by the granting of an order for payment of rehabilitative alimony.” Thus, in a divorce, the economically disadvantaged spouse may be able to secure an award of this type of alimony. To be rehabilitated in this sense, means that the economically disadvantaged spouse receives an award that places the person to a standard of living “reasonably comparable” to the standard of living the party had before the divorce. The law further provides that an award of rehabilitative alimony “may be increased, decreased, terminated, extended, or otherwise modified, upon a showing of a substantial and material change in circumstances.” Alimony in Futuro Alimony in futuro - sometimes called periodic alimony - is a type of alimony awarded sometimes where there is no way that a party can be rehabilitated. The Tennessee alimony statute explains: “An award of alimony in futuro may be made, either in addition to an award of rehabilitative alimony, where a spouse may be only partially rehabilitated, or instead of an award of rehabilitative alimony, where rehabilitation is not feasible.” Alimony in futuro continues until the recipient either remarries or either party dies. It often lasts for a significant period of time. However, this type of alimony is usually less than rehabilitative alimony, as there is not enough money to place the party in the same standard of living as the parties had during the marriage. Transitional Alimony Transitional alimony is a type of alimony that is provided temporarily, for a shorter time period than rehabilitative alimony and a much shorter time period than alimony in futuro. This type of alimony applies when “rehabilitation is not necessary, but the economically disadvantaged spouse needs assistance to adjust to the economic consequences of a divorce.” In practice, transitional alimony is probably the most frequently used alimony in divorce cases in Tennessee. Alimony in Solido Alimony in solido, or lump sum alimony, may be awarded as the only type of alimony or as an additional type of alimony. It often applies when the economically disadvantaged spouse needs support to pay for attorney fees. Parties also sometimes use alimony in solido to equalize what would otherwise be an unequal division of the marital estate. Alimony in solido can be paid in one lump sum or in installments. Click here for more information on how alimony is calculated in Tennessee. Reach out to the divorce attorneys at Ryan C. Davis Law, PLLC for comprehensive legal guidance in all aspects of family law, including alimony. Call 615-649-0110 to schedule a consultation today.