Nashville Legal Separation Lawyer

If you and your spouse are not getting along, or are potentially on the path to divorce, you may wish to pursue a legal separation first. A legal separation doesn’t end your marriage officially, but it enables you to put an agreement in place related to custody, support, and other issues while you either resolve your problems or move towards a permanent end to your marriage.

At Burdine Law Firm, PLLC, we have helped many clients to pursue a legal separation so they can protect their rights, and the rights of their children, while living separately from their spouses. Give our Nashville family law lawyers a call today at (629) 529-4615 to find out more about this process and how we can help you through it.

What Is a Legal Separation In Tennessee?

Fun fact, every state except for six allows legal separation. According to Tennessee Code Section ยง36-4-102, anyone who has grounds for divorce (including irreconcilable differences) can choose to pursue a legal separation instead.

So, what does it mean to do this? The law states: “Legal separation shall not affect the bonds of matrimony but shall permit the parties to cease matrimonial cohabitation. The court may provide for matters such as child custody, visitation, support, and property issues during legal separation upon motion by either party or by agreement of the parties.”

Essentially, this means that you will remain married, but no longer need to live together, and you can have the court put an agreement in place on custody, support, and property division. This can be invaluable if, for example, you want to separate from your spouse, who is the primary breadwinner, and you need the court to order your partner to keep paying the bills.

When you legally separate, you can choose to get back together later and won’t need to remarry. Or you can move on to divorce, either creating a new arrangement for property division and support as part of the dissolution of your marriage or making your separation agreement permanent. If this is the path you want to take, contact a Nashville divorce attorney to start your case.

What Happens During a Nashville Legal Separation?

When you decide to legally separate, you’ll need to petition the court and declare grounds for divorce (or a reason for divorce). You and your spouse can either agree on issues or ask the court to make decisions for you. Your separation agreement can address things like:

  • Who will remain in a family home
  • How time with the children should be shared
  • Whether either spouse should pay child support or spousal support
  • Whether either spouse should pay the attorney fees of the other

Ideally, you and your spouse will be able to agree on these things without court intervention. At Burdine Law Firm, PLLC we have helped 99% of clients settle cases out of court. We will work with you to help you find an arrangement that works for your family. This can be the most cost-effective approach.

Our Nashville legal separation attorneys are also ready to fight on your behalf in court, if necessary, to ensure the terms of your separation are fair.

Getting Help From a Nashville Legal Separation Lawyer

Making the choice to separate is a major decision that will affect your family and finances in profound ways. At Burdine Law Firm, PLLC, our focus is always on helping you to navigate the legal process effectively so you can have a better future — whether that’s with your spouse or without them after a separation.

Give our Nashville legal separation lawyers a call today at (629) 529-4615 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help protect your rights through this new chapter of your life.