Spousal Support & Alimony Attorney Murfreesboro, TN
Because recent Tennessee family court decisions will likely make it much harder to obtain alimony in a divorce, hiring an experienced lawyer who has a proven track record of success with spousal support claims is more important than ever.
We provide men and women in Middle Tennessee with straight answers about spousal support and effective legal representation at every stage of the divorce process. We are committed to working closely with our clients and to exploring all alternatives to costly protracted litigation, including mediation. If trial should be necessary, however, our clients have the confidence that comes with knowing we have the ability to effectively fight for their best interests in court.
Murfreesboro Alimony Basics
Alimony is not about revenge nor is it intended to be a punishment for any real or perceived wrongs that occurred between two spouses during a marriage. It requires only one spouse’s need for it and the other’s ability to pay.
In Tennessee, judges are authorized to award alimony to either spouse by statute, after consideration of need, ability to pay and other factors. Alimony can also be awarded by mutual agreement of the spouses in an irreconcilable differences divorce or when there is an enforceable prenuptial or post nuptial agreement in place. Judges, however, do have wide discretion in fixing the manner and form of support.
Types of Alimony in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and How They Work
There are four types of spousal support in Tennessee:
- Transitional alimony (paid over a defined period of time, intended to help financially disadvantaged spouses become self-sufficient, usually not modifiable)
- Rehabilitative alimony (preferred by both the courts and legislature, intended to give financially disadvantaged spouses access to further education or job skills training that will help them achieve economic self-sufficiency, modifiable with changed circumstances)
- In futuro alimony (also referred to as periodic or lifetime alimony, usually awarded in long-term marriages where one spouse is not likely to become economically self-supporting due to age, education, lack of work experience and other factors, modifiable with changed circumstances)
- In solido alimony (a lump sum amount, payable all at once or over time, usually addressed and provided for as part of the property division agreement, not modifiable)
Free Initial Alimony & Spousal Support Consultations · Serving All of Middle Tennessee
Whether you hope to receive spousal support, pay as little as possible or avoid paying it altogether, we can help.
To discuss a spousal maintenance concern with an experienced Murfreesboro family law attorney contact us for a free initial consultation.