Knoxville Divorce Lawyer
Getting a divorce is one of the hardest things you will ever go through. Ending a marriage is always an emotional experience, but you will also face a potentially long and expensive legal process. You do not have to go through it alone. Our Knoxville divorce lawyer can help you navigate the family law system and give you the best chance of obtaining a favorable outcome.
Terms to Resolve During Divorce
There are many different terms you and your spouse will have to resolve during the divorce process. These include:
- Property division: Tennessee is an equitable distribution state. This means marital property is divided between you and your spouse in a manner that is fair, but not necessarily equal. Determining what is marital property and not separate is a complex matter, as is valuing the property to obtain a fair division.
- Spousal support: Also known as alimony, spousal support is paid by one spouse to the other to ensure the recipient spouse is not left in financial hardship. Spousal support is more likely to be awarded when one spouse earns a much higher income, when one spouse supported the other’s educational opportunities, or when one spouse left the workforce to maintain the home and care for the children.
- Child custody: There is no term of divorce that is as contentious as child custody. Judges will try to award shared custody so both parents can continue their bond with their child. When this is not in the child’s best interests, a judge may award primary or sole custody to one parent.
- Child support: When a child spends more time with one parent, the other is usually ordered to pay child support. Child support can be used to pay for the needs of the child.
Post-Divorce Modifications
All orders issued during a divorce are final and legally binding. Violating the terms of a child custody, support, or alimony order is a very serious matter that comes with harsh penalties. However, your situation may change in the future, making it very difficult to comply with these orders. In these instances, it is critical that you do not take matters into your own hands.
If there is a significant change of circumstances, you can petition the court to modify the original order. For example, if you lost your job, you can ask the court to modify a child support or alimony order to reduce the amount and make it more affordable for you to pay. Obtaining a modification from the court is not easy. Our Knoxville divorce lawyer can help prove your case so you obtain the modification you need.
Our Divorce Lawyer in Knoxville Can Help You Through the Process
Navigating a divorce, and all of the legalities that come with it, is not easy. At Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette, our Knoxville divorce lawyer can unload much of the burden to make it easier for you. Call us now at 865-766-4200 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
