Types of Alimony in Tennessee

If you are going through divorce in Tennessee, you might be wondering whether you may be eligible to receive alimony or if your spouse has a right to it. You may not know that Tennessee has four different types of alimony. An experienced alimony lawyer in Nashville explains the details regarding each.

Transitional Alimony

Transitional alimony is temporary. It is only in place while the divorce case is pending, and then it ends or is replaced by another form of alimony. This type of alimony can help a spouse adjust to a new financial situation as they transition into the next chapter of their life.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is short-term alimony. It is sometimes ordered when the spouse with the lower earning capacity can become financially independent in a relatively short period, such as by returning to school, completing job training, or finding a new job. To obtain this type of alimony, the spouse must typically show that they are actively trying to find employment and become self-sufficient.

The court can order this alimony to continue until it estimates the spouse can become financially self-sufficient.

Alimony in Futuro

This is long-term or permanent alimony. It is more common in cases involving long marriages and when a spouse needs greater financial assistance due to their age, disability, or health conditions.

Alimony in futuro is typically paid as periodic payments, such as monthly or bi-monthly. It ensures that a spouse is able to maintain the same lifestyle they enjoyed during the marriage and not become financially destitute because of a divorce.

The judge can order this type of alimony for a specific number of years or without a specific end date. However, it ends if either spouse dies or the spouse who receives spousal support remarries.

Alimony in Solido

Alimony in Solido is a type of alimony in which a spouse receives a lump sum of money or other assets rather than periodic financial support payments. This type of alimony is rare in Tennessee and usually arises through an agreement between spouses rather than a court order. This type of support may end on the day the divorce is finalized, when the spouse transfers property to the other spouse or when the spouse makes the final payment as provided in the spousal agreement.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you are considering requesting or opposing alimony in a Tennessee divorce, reach out to Burdine Law Firm, PLLC for personalized legal advice and representation. A knowledgeable Nashville family law attorney from our law firm can review your options, explain how each may impact your taxes, and offer recommendations based on your specific situation. Call us at (629) 299-2228 for your free and confidential consultation.