Gallatin Spousal Support Lawyer
If you gave up working outside the home and spent the last 20 years devoted to taking care of your home, and now you are faced with an impending divorce you may be wondering now how you will survive.
It can be daunting to re-enter the workforce after years of being a stay-at-home parent, but if you are facing this reality you may have options. If you have concerns about your financial stability after a divorce and want to find out about spousal support in your case, the Gallatin spousal support lawyers at Burdine Law Firm can help you get the answers to your pressing spousal support questions.
- At Burdine Law Firm, our spousal support lawyers provide aggressive legal support to assist you with establishing or enforcing an existing order for spousal support
- Our experienced divorce lawyers in Gallatin will give your case the attention it deserves and keep you informed at every stage of your case
- Our skilled negotiations consistently lead to favorable results, but we are ready to take your case to court, if necessary
If you are looking for an experienced team that can advance your financial interests in your divorce case, contact Burdine Law Firm at (629) 529-4615. Our skilled Gallatin spousal support lawyers are at your service when you are ready.
Determining Spousal Support in Tennessee
In Tennessee spousal support is awarded on either a short-term or long-term basis, depending on the circumstances. TN Code § 36-5-121(d)(2) (2021) states that spousal support should be awarded, whenever possible, to the economically disadvantaged spouse to support them in earning an income that helps them maintain the same standard of living as they enjoyed when they were married.
Spousal support is determined using a formula that takes into account the following factors:
- The age of both spouses
- The length of the marriage
- Each party’s separate assets
- The mental and physical well-being of both parties
- The standard of living that was established in the marriage
- Each party’s earning capacity
- And more
Can a Spousal Support Order be Modified?
After a court orders spousal support certain circumstances may make it necessary for the court to modify its order. A spouse ordered to pay spousal support cannot stop making payments or reduce the amount of their payments without the court’s approval. Tennessee state courts have exclusive and continuing jurisdiction to modify a spousal support order. This means that even if one of the parties bound by the order leaves the state, any requests to modify or enforce a spousal support order issued by a Tennessee court must be made in the state.
For a spousal support order to be modified, the court must find that there has been an unforeseeable substantial and material change in the circumstances under which the order was made. It could be a change in the paying party’s ability to pay or the receiving party’s need for support. For instance, the paying party’s loss of income and inability to work because of physical or mental illness, or the receiving party establishing a new relationship.
The burden of proving a substantial and material change in circumstances is on the party seeking to modify the order. If you are seeking to modify a spousal support order issued by a Tennessee state court, you should speak to a spousal support attorney who will advise you on your legal options based on the type of spousal support you are seeking to modify and your circumstances. Keep in mind that not all types of spousal support orders can be modified. For example, alimony in solido, also known as lump sum alimony, is not modifiable.
Contact Our Gallatin Spousal Support Lawyers Today
With the skilled Gallatin family law attorneys at Burdine Law Firm by your side, you do not have to fear the outcome of your spousal support case. We will aggressively advocate for you and pursue a fair outcome in your case. Contact us at (629) 529-4615 to schedule a consultation.