Nashville Spousal Support Lawyer
When a marriage ends, your financial condition can change drastically — especially if one spouse earns much more money than the other. In Tennessee, there are laws to protect lower-earning spouses. Those laws guarantee temporary or permanent spousal support in appropriate situations.
At Burdine Law Firm, PLLC, our Nashville spousal support attorneys represent clients who are going through a divorce or legal separation and who want to ensure their financial future is secure. Whether you’re fighting to ensure you receive enough support to avoid a drastic change in lifestyle or you want to ensure you aren’t ordered to pay too much to your former spouse, we are here and ready to be your advocate.
Give our Nashville divorce lawyers a call at (629) 529-4615 to find out more about how we can help.
What Types of Spousal Support are Available in Tennessee?
Tennessee law aims to protect people going through a divorce from facing economic hardship when their marriage ends. As a result, there are two primary types of spousal support that may be available under certain situations. Tennessee Code Section 36-5-121 explains both types:
- Rehabilitative alimony: According to Code Section 36-5-121, the law prefers that “a spouse, who is economically disadvantaged relative to the other spouse, be rehabilitated.” This may mean the court awards temporary support, including job training and education payments, to help a lower-earning spouse become self-sufficient.
- Support and maintenance: If an earning discrepancy can’t be fixed, the court may award “payment of support and maintenance on a long-term basis or until death or remarriage of the recipient.” This is also called permanent alimony and it can continue for life.
Burdine Law Firm, PLLC can work with you to understand what type of spousal support may be most appropriate in your situation and to help ensure the support order put in place is a fair one. Give our Nashville spousal support lawyers a call today for a free consultation.
How is Spousal Support Awarded in Tennessee?
In an ideal situation, you and your spouse will be able to negotiate on the issue of support (as well as on other matters in your divorce). If you can create a divorce agreement you’re both happy with, you can pursue an uncontested divorce.
This is often quicker, less expensive, and results in better outcomes as you are finding compromise. The Nashville family law attorneys at Burdine Law Firm is able to help 99% of our clients settle their divorces, so we will work hard to make sure that happens for you if possible.
It’s not always feasible to compromise, though, and if you can’t, Tennessee Code Section 36-5-121 explains the factors the court should consider in deciding how much spousal support is appropriate. These factors include:
- How long you were married
- How old each spouse is
- The mental and physical condition of each spouse
- Whether a spouse can work outside of the home while caring for minor children
- How marital property is divided and how much separate property each spouse has
- The living standard established while married
- The contributions made to the other spouse’s career
- Whether either party was at fault for the divorce
- Tax consequences of the alimony award
Get Legal Representation from a Nashville Spousal Support Attorney
The Burdine Law Firm will work with you to make the most compelling case possible for your preferred amount of support. Give us a call today at (629) 529-4615 to find out how we can help you fight for a secure financial future once your marriage has come to an end.