Alimony Attorney in Kingsport, Tennessee

Divorce leads to significant, long-term consequences for the families, assets, children, and finances of each spouse involved. In order to mitigate any unfair economic impacts of the divorce, alimony (spousal support) may be awarded to one of the spouses. This court-ordered payment can help provide one spouse with needed financial assistance during or after the divorce.

If you are considering filing for divorce and want to understand your rights with regards to spousal support, consulting with a knowledgeable Tennessee family law attorney is imperative for proper guidance. Attorney Steven C. Frazier has the experience, diligence, and resources to advise and guide clients in family law-related matters, including divorce and alimony.

As your legal counsel, he can work to understand your unique situation, educate you about how to establish alimony, and determine your eligibility. Attorney Steven C. Frazier can offer you the detailed legal guidance and support you need to navigate crucial decisions when establishing or modifying spousal support agreements.

Steven C. Frazier, Attorney At Law proudly represents clients in Kingsport, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas throughout Church Hill, Johnson City, Bristol, or anywhere in Northeastern Tennessee.

Overview of Alimony in Tennessee

Alimony can be described as a court-ordered payment awarded to a spouse in a divorce or legal separation. It is a periodic payment of financial support provided by the higher-wage-earning spouse to the non- or lower-wage-earning spouse for a period during the divorce process or after the divorce.

In Tennessee, spousal support may be awarded if one party needs financial assistance and the other party can pay. The spouse who receives the alimony payment is the "supported spouse," while the spouse who makes the support payments is the "paying spouse." An experienced divorce attorney can enlighten you about the different types of alimony in Tennessee.

Types of Alimony

Here are the various kinds of spousal support that may be awarded in a Tennessee divorce:

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony may be awarded to help the supported spouse increase their earning capacity and ultimately become self-supporting. The paying spouse will keep making the rehabilitative payments until the supported spouse completes their job training or education, secures employment, or acquires additional job skills.

Transitional Alimony

Transitional alimony may be awarded if the court believes that the potential supported spouse needs financial assistance while they settle into or adjust to the new standard of living post-divorce.

Periodic Alimony

Periodic alimony is a long-term support order that may be awarded when the supported spouse is not able to earn enough to become financially independent due to disability, old age, or a severe illness.

Lump-Sum Alimony

In lump-sum alimony – also referred to as alimony in solido – the judge will calculate the total amount of support on the divorce date. The paying spouse will provide the alimony in a one-time payment. The lump-sum alimony will cover the attorney fees, legal expenses, and other financial needs of the supported spouse post-divorce.

A knowledgeable family law attorney can evaluate your unique circumstances and determine whether you qualify for spousal support.

Who Is Entitled to Spousal Support?

Alimony is not awarded based on gender. In the state of Tennessee, alimony may be awarded by the court when:

• One spouse needs financial assistance or support, and

• The other spouse has the ability and resources to pay

A skilled Tennessee divorce attorney can explore your eligibility to pay or receive alimony and enlighten you about how the amount, type, and duration of alimony is determined.

Determination of Type, Amount, and Duration of Alimony

In a Tennessee divorce, the judge may consider the following factors to determine the amount, type, and duration of spousal support:

• The length or duration of the marriage

• The earning capacity, needs, financial obligations, and resources of each spouse

• The physical condition of both spouses, including physical and chronic illness

• Each spouse's age and mental condition

• Marital fault

• Each spouse's education and training, and each spouse's ability to obtain the education and training necessary to find employment and increase earning capacity

• The separate assets available to each spouse

• Whether either spouse is the custodial parent of a child whose circumstances make it difficult to obtain employment outside of the home

• The marital property division in the divorce

• The non-monetary and monetary contribution of either spouse to the marriage, or the education, training, or increased earning power of the other spouse

• Tax implications

• Any other factor the court deems relevant

Every divorce case is unique. A knowledgeable alimony attorney can evaluate your situation and offer you detailed guidance on how to establish or modify spousal support arrangements.

Changes to Current Alimony Agreements

Alimony orders are not unchangeable. In order to modify or terminate periodic and rehabilitative alimony in Tennessee, the requesting spouse must show that there has been "a substantial and material change of circumstances" since the existing decree. Some common reasons to seek the modification of spousal support orders include:

• Involuntary loss of employment

• The receiving spouse has become self-supporting and no longer needs it

• The paying spouse has a significant decrease in income

• Remarriage or cohabitation with another person

• The receiving spouse is not making any reasonable effort to become self-supporting

• Developing a physical or mental disability

A skilled spousal support attorney can fight diligently to protect your best interests and help you navigate intelligent decisions.

How Legal Counsel Can Help

Filing for divorce in Tennessee often involves a lot of complicated processes. Trying to establish a fair divorce settlement and spousal support agreement can make the whole process even more complex and overwhelming. Therefore, when thinking about divorce, it is important for you to speak with an experienced family law attorney to explore your available options and help protect your best interests.

Attorney Steven C. Frazier is committed to offering comprehensive guidance and advocacy to clients in complex divorce matters involving alimony. Using his extensive understanding of Tennessee divorce laws, he can evaluate your unique situation, determine your eligibility, and enlighten you about the various alimony options that may be available to you.

Whether you are trying to establish a spousal support agreement or you need to adjust an existing alimony order, Attorney Steven C. Frazier can offer you the proper counsel and advocacy you need to make informed decisions. He will work meticulously with both parties to establish a fair settlement agreement and resolve pending divorce matters amicably and quickly.