Couples going through divorces in the state of Tennessee will always end up with what's called a marital dissolution agreement. That is a contract between you and your former spouse that sets forth your rights and obligations regarding your assets, your debts, alimony, court cost, health insurance, and things like that. It's a contract that the two of you are bound to, and that you have to follow, but it really divides your assets and [...]

Many days I get people who call me and they've had a child with someone else, and they are not married. And that does change the structure and the layout of the case and how we move forward from there. Unfortunately, right now in the state of Tennessee, if you are the man and you have a child with someone and you are not married, at that point, you do not have any rights to [...]

Clients have questions about mediation, and the process and what happens. But one thing that you really need to know is what happens if you sign a mediated agreement. I always tell my clients once you reach and sign a mediated agreement, it is binding just as if it were a court order. It is very hard to undo a mediated agreement. There may be limited circumstances where you can do that, or something may [...]

When parties have divorced and they have minor children, those children are allowed to be claimed for tax purposes as exemptions. A big question that I get a lot of times is, “Who gets to claim the children?” That depends on a lot of things in some situations. However, the laws in the state of Tennessee are very clear and it says that the parent receiving child support is the parent entitled to deductions. But, [...]

Mediation is a process in the state of Tennessee for different types of cases, but when you're going through a divorce, mediation is required in the state of Tennessee unless you and your spouse can resolve your case prior to that process. Mediation is also required before you are allowed to try any issues in your divorce case in the state of Tennessee. Mediation is a process where you and your attorney, along with your [...]

When people are starting the divorce process, or maybe the divorce process has been pending for a short period of time, the number one question a lot of times I get is, "Can I move out? Because I don't want to live with my current spouse any longer." A lot of people are concerned that that gives the other spouse a grounds for divorce, or that’s somehow held against them in the divorce process. I [...]

Oftentimes people will ask me if their children have to go visit with the other parent if they do not want to go, and what I normally tell people is if you have court order setting forth co-parenting time with each parent and your children do not want to visit with the other parent, most judges will tell you that the children do not get to make that decision. I also tell people if you [...]

When you're going through a divorce process, at the very beginning – as soon as someone files a complaint – most times there will be attached what's called temporary mutual injunctions. Those are mandated by the state of Tennessee as to certain things you must do or that you cannot do. It's very important when you meet with your attorney that you understand those injunctions because a lot of times, people do not understand what [...]