Gatlinburg Family & Divorce Lawyer
During a divorce you will experience shifting emotions about your spouse and you will also be trying to solidify your own identity as you separate from your partner. Amidst all of the emotions, it can be difficult to think financially about your future. Having an experienced lawyer advising you throughout your divorce will ensure your future is financially stable and you are able to maintain the relationship you would like to have with your children. Contact Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette to learn how our Gatlinburg family & divorce lawyers can represent you in your divorce.
Asset and Property Division
Tennessee is an equitable distribution state, which means assets must be divided in a fair manner during a divorce, but not necessarily equally. When determining what is fair, courts looks at the financial earnings of each partner, the length of marriage, the standard of living each partner is accustomed to, debt, and more. It is not as simple as looking at the current value of each asset. Tax implications, future worth, and the liquidity all must be considered when splitting assets in a divorce. A divorce lawyer can help you protect your assets if the divorce is contested.
Child Support and Spousal Maintenance
Determining reasonable payments for child support and spousal maintenance is crucial because they are very difficult to alter later on. Child support is paid from one parent to the other custodial parent to help raise the child. According to Tennessee Code 34-1-102, child support applies if the child is under the age of 18 or over 18 but still in high school. The monthly payments help cover costs such as:
- Education and extracurricular activities;
- Housing and food;
- Clothing;
- Transportation; and
- Health bills.
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse to help financially support them after a divorce. Alimony may be paid until the lower-earning spouse is financially stable on their own, until they remarry, or until one spouse dies. When the court approves alimony payment it considers the following:
- Length of the marriage;
- Age of both spouses;
- Income and potential future earnings of each spouse;
- Education level of each spouse; and
- Other financial concerns.
Child Custody
In Tennessee the divorcing parents must submit a parenting plan to the court for approval. The Parenting Plan Form outlines how the parents will split custody over the child, including over summer vacations and special holidays. In the plan parents must determine who will make religious, educational, medical, and extracurricular decisions on behalf of the child.
Divorce can have a huge impact of the children involved. If you are planning a divorce, it helps to have an lawyer who can guide you through the parenting plan to avoid major disruptions for your child.
Our Gatlinburg Family & Divorce Lawyers Offer Strong Representation
An experienced Gatlinburg family lawyer can help you understand court documents, answer tough legal questions, and fight on your behalf when there are contested areas of your divorce. Whether you are considering a divorce or currently in the middle of a contested divorce, the lawyers at Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette can advise you. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
