Practical perspectives for contemporary legal challenges.
In over thirty years of practicing law, I have seen many surprising things. One of the most unexpected to many, however, is how many people find themselves going through bouts of sadness, or even depression, about ending a very unhappy marriage. I have had both men and women burst into tears after the court hearing, …
Continue reading “I Am Unhappy in My Marriage, So Why Am I Sad About My Divorce?”
Most people understand that the divorce process can be very traumatic. Divorce involves some of the most important aspects of a person’s life: an unwinding of a commitment to another person for life, a person’s finances and, if they have them, what may be the most important thing in someone’s life, their children. While the …
The three most important words in any divorce action are the simple words: “can”, “may” and “should”. While parties tend to concentrate on the major issues of support, custody, and division of assets and liabilities, the use of these three words in the context of requesting relief through the divorce process and finalizing a settlement …
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So you’ve gone through a divorce. You have survived the mental anguish of the process and a court order has been entered regarding custody and parenting time. Eventually, life has settled back down, you and your ex-spouse are complying with the court order and everything is going as it should. But what happens to custody …
Continue reading “What Happens with Parenting Time and Custody if I Have to Move After my Divorce?”
Divorce can be a stressful and emotionally draining time. However, knowing when and how to communicate with your legal team can help to alleviate some of the stress. Here are a few tips for ways to best communicate with your lawyer. Avoid communicating on minor issues that are out of the control of your lawyer. Most …
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A common misperception arises as to when child support amounts change. As a general rule, parents are required to exchange tax returns each year during the period of time that child support is owed. Doing so and keeping an eye on the gross income of both parents can be important in determining whether any action …
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The answer to this question varies by state. There is usually a statute or rule of law directly on point that gives a clear answer. But there are a number of other court decisions and laws that can affect the answer and make it an area worth looking into closely if you are either paying …
The length of time that a parent must pay child support, or a parent can receive child support, varies by state. So it is extremely important that one look to the applicable state’s law when addressing this issue. Tennessee’s law is similar to many other state laws. In Tennessee, as a general rule, child support …
One of the most common questions I am asked is “what is the smartest thing I can do to survive my divorce and be successful in my new life?” Even though the facts of every divorce are personal and vary dramatically, there is one, simple answer to this question. Manage your expectations. It sounds easy …
Continue reading “What Gives Me the Best Chance for Success Post-Divorce?”
Divorce cases involve some of the most personal and important aspects of a person’s life. Information regarding your spouse, your children, your money, and your job are all very personal. It is only human nature to want to keep private as much information about one’s personal life as possible. It can also be embarrassing to …
Continue reading “Should I Just Tell My Lawyer What He or She Really Needs to Know?”