Divorce has become a significant part of life in this country. A divorce may be necessary to clear away a problem that blocks you from leading a better life. Divorce is never pleasant. Some divorces are more unpleasant than others.
This website offers a summary of the law, as I understand it at the time of writing and posting (March 2008). The law is always subject to amendment by the legislature, reinterpretation by the courts, different application by different judges, and factual variation from case to case. If you need a lawyer outside my area, ask me or call before acting on what you have read, talk to a lawyer in your area - that is why they are there.
Tennessee has two types of divorces: uncontested, which are usually based on irreconcilable differences, and contested, which require proof of grounds for divorce.
An irreconcilable differences divorce requires that the parties agree to be divorced. You must have a written Marital Dissolution Agreement that makes adequate and sufficient provisions in writing for the custody and support of the minor children of the marriage and makes a fair and equitable division of your property. There are also additional technical requirements, but the Marital Dissolution Agreement is the essence of an irreconcilable differences divorce. As for assessing fault for the marriage breakdown, you only need to say that differences have arisen that will prevent you from living together as husband and wife.
A traditional contested divorce is a case in which the parties cannot agree and must go to trial. The most common grounds for a contested divorce are:
If you are filing for divorce, you should have your grounds before you file. If you cannot prove your grounds for divorce, accusing your spouse of these grounds may be grounds for divorce for your spouse to file. Pending the final divorce, you should not do anything to give your spouse any grounds for divorce because it can probably be used against you.
Alimony:
Living with someone after the divorce, regardless of whether you have sex or not, may cause alimony infuturo or rehabilitative alimony to be lowered or stopped. Death of one of the persons paying or receiving alimony or marriage of the person receiving alimony will terminate alimony infuturo and rehabilitative alimony unless the divorce settlement agreement provides otherwise.
This information is not intended to replace the personal advice of an attorney. If you have questions regarding a specific circumstance, please contact one of our knowledgeable attorneys to schedule your consultation.
|
Information courtesy of Larry Rice, Attorney at Law and Author of "The Complete Guide to Divorce Practice" Memphis, Tennessee |