People who consider their pets to be part of the family may be shocked to learn that in most states, if divorcing couples can’t decide on their own how or if “custody” of their pet is to be shared, judges are directed under the law to decide who gets them in much the...
Family Law
Options for the family home in a divorce
“Make sure you keep the house” is something many people going through a divorce hear. While it’s well-meant, it is not necessarily good advice. Sometimes it makes sense to keep the family home; sometimes it does not. Your home is just one of the many assets you own,...
What can parents do to help their children during a divorce?
As a parent, you likely worry often about your children’s mental health. You may be asking, how might current events affect your children in the future? One such event might be your divorce. Divorce will change your children’s entire world, which can be scary at...
Using a parenting plan to everyone’s advantage
When parents divorce in Tennessee, they are generally required to follow the state’s parenting plan law, unless an exception to their situation applies. A parenting plan essentially functions as a legally-enforceable guide to a family’s co-parenting obligations,...
Interstate co-parenting in a joint custody order in Tennessee
In today's fast-paced world, families often find themselves navigating the challenges of co-parenting across state lines. Interstate co-parenting is when divorced or separated parents live in different states but share custody of their children. Therefore, this...
Can you freely move with the kids after the divorce?
Divorce can be a very stressful life experience. Things become even more difficult when children are involved. Subject to the terms of the divorce, the court may award one parent primary custody while the other is granted visitation rights. But divorce comes with its...
Unique child custody challenges for special needs children
As a parent of a special needs child, you’re no stranger to the unique challenges that come with raising a child who requires additional support. When faced with a child custody battle, these challenges can feel even more overwhelming. In any custody dispute, the...
Why do child custody disputes arise?
Conflict in a divorce can arise due to different factors and child custody is among the leading ones. While decisions should be in the child's best interests, parents can have different opinions about what this means, and this can result in battles. The following are...
3 behaviors that could compromise your child custody rights
There is no denying the turbulent nature of divorce, especially when kids are involved. You have two parents who love their children and want what is best for them, but they may disagree on what “best” means. Family courts can and will make child custody decisions in...
Tennessee divorce: Preparing to divide marital assets
Taking time to think through the value of the assets you own, which are likely to appreciate/depreciate over time, the cost to maintain them and what your life would be like if you no longer owned them is going to be vitally important as you plan for your divorce. ...