Clarksville Alimony Attorney
Spousal Support Laws in Tennessee
Also known as spousal support, alimony is the monetary support paid by one spouse to another. Tennessee allows for a lower income earning spouse to be financially supported by an ex-spouse after a marriage has been terminated in order to maintain a similar lifestyle as when they were married.
A common misconception is that only wives can receive alimony, but either party is eligible depending on the economic circumstances involved in a divorce. Spousal support depends on a variety of factors and can be either temporary or permanent.
Types of Alimony
Alimony payments can be arranged to be paid in monthly, semi-monthly or weekly installments, or in any way a court deems appropriate. Tennessee Code § 36-5-121 states that courts can award several types of alimony, or any combination of alimony awards as they see fit.
The types of alimony are rehabilitative alimony, periodic alimony, transitional alimony or lump sum alimony. The requirements for each form of alimony are as follows:
Rehabilitative alimony
The spouse who earns a lower income may be financially supported in order to maintain a standard of living comparable to the lifestyle during the marriage. Courts control the terms and duration of rehabilitative alimony and can increase, decrease, terminate, extend or modify alimony according to the circumstances involved. This form of alimony was intended to allow economically disadvantaged spouses to become financially independent.
Periodic alimony
Also known as alimony in futuro, periodic alimony is common in longer marriages and allows for the financial support of a lower income spouse on a long term basis or until death or remarriage of the spouse who is receiving support. Periodic alimony varies, but is often awarded to spouses who lack employable skills and have a limited chance of being rehabilitated or achieving financial independence.
Transitional alimony
When courts determine that rehabilitation is not necessary, they may award the lower income spouse transitional alimony. This form of alimony provides financial assistance for a court determined period of time to allow the spouse to adjust to the economic consequences of a divorce. This can occur as the result of a divorce, legal separation or other proceeding where spousal support may be awarded, such as a petition for a protection order due to domestic violence. Transitional alimony cannot be modified unless both parties agree during the initial filing of divorce, the alimony recipient lives with a third party or until death.
Lump sum alimony
Also known as alimony in solido, lump sum alimony involves the determination of a specific amount a spouse must pay to the economically disadvantaged party. This is commonly used to make up an imbalance in property or asset division and can be paid in a lump sum payment or in installments.
Alimony Guidelines
There are a number of factors courts consider when determining the recipient, terms and type of alimony and they will compare the independent situations of each spouse in order to evaluate their relative circumstances. T.C. §36-5-121 (i) lists the guidelines for determining alimony according to:
- Relative earning capacity, obligations, needs and financial resources of each party
- Relative education and training of each party
- Length of the marriage
- Age and mental condition
- Physical condition
- Who will be unable to work outside the home because of children
- Separate assets of each party
- Distribution of marital property
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Contributions of each party, including homemaker contributions
- The relative fault of the parties
- Any other factors, including tax consequences
It must be stressed that there is a great deal of legal intricacies, paperwork and circumstantial factors involved in determining alimony. When child support, child custody and other family law issues are involved, legal proceedings can become lengthy and complicated. To ensure that you are well informed about the process and your available options, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced Clarksville alimony attorney from our firm.
Working with Our Firm
Jeff Grimes & Associates, PLLC has more than 24 years of combined experience and has helped an diverse range of clients smoothly resolve their divorce and alimony legal proceedings. Our firm is well aware of the personal nature of these cases, and examines each case closely in order to determine a client's needs and to develop a strategy that best suits their situation.
We treat each client in a friendly and understanding manner and, when necessary, litigate aggressively on their behalf. Our experience, dedication and personal commitment to every client has become our recipe for success.
To discuss your divorce or alimony case or to set up a case evaluation with an attorney from our firm, contact us today.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At Jeff Grimes & Associates, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"They exceeded my expectations and got me everything I needed."
I hired their law firm for a legal case and not only were they highly professional but always courteous and respectful. They exceeded my expectations and got me everything I needed. If I ever need legal services again I will definitely be choosing them in the future.
- Lisa S. -
"HONEST, LOYAL, AND DEDICATED this firm gets 5 stars."
If you need legal counsel then I highly recommend you make an appointment with this firm. Mr. Sensing was my attorney and is very dedicated to his clients going to great lengths to provide the very best defense possible. Stays in touch with his clients always bringing them up to speed on what is being done in their case providing copies of everything to the client. HONEST, LOYAL, AND DEDICATED this firm gets 5 stars.
- Brad H. -
"I can honestly say I was not disappointed."
I took a trip out to TN and got in to some trouble in Clarksville and needed representation for a case while I was I back in my home state. I went to Grimes, Sensing & Clemons feeling distraught and like I had no hope, seeking a solid defense attorney that would actually fight for my case and get me the best possible deal. I left feeling comfortable and confident. I can honestly say I was not disappointed, the only time I needed to come back to TN was for the sentencing(mind you cases may differ) and unbelievably Jeffery Grimes was able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and get a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor as well as talk down the court fines... I strongly suggest Jeffery Grimes as your defense attorney for any legal issues you may have, also their fees are very reasonable and they will do payment plans. Thank you very much Grimes, Sensing and Clemons.
- Spence W. -
"Thank you for helping me I know it’s your job but the peace of mind you gave me is priceless."
Thank you so much Grimes, Sensing & Clemons PLLC!! I've been working with them for months and I couldn't be happier. Grimes helped with all of the little details I didn't even know I needed. He is always friendly and ready to answer all of my questions. Your attention to my case has allowed me to focus on what's important to me, healing and family. Thank you for helping me I know it’s your job but the peace of mind you gave me is priceless. Thanks again! ~ YC
- Satisfied Client -
"The outcome for my request was better than I could have hoped for."
I hired Mr Sensing to assist me with the modification of a parenting plan that just wasn’t working anymore. I hired another lawyer in the Clarksville area that did not do their due diligence. Mr Sensing and his team were great throughout the process. Emails and phone calls were actually returned in a timely manner! Which wasn’t the case with the lawyer I used before. I had access to all my court documents and was always kept informed on what was going on with my case. Lastly Mr Sensing is very experienced and knowledgeable in his field. The outcome for my request was better than I could have hoped for, and I honestly feel like that was due to Mr Sensing.
- Toni M. -
"Best defense lawyer you could ask for."
Grimes is the best defense lawyer you could ask for. He was able to take what would generally be a felony for sure and get it down to a misdemeanor and a fine. If you have him as your lawyer, you won't have anything to worry about.
- Dennis H. -
"Very professional and fairly priced!"
Mr.Grimes made my case go very smoothly and easily for me I was out of state for a good part of it he went out of his way to let me know if something changed and he was always very professional and fairly priced! I would recommend him a thousand times over!!
- David L. -
"Fought with me the whole 2 years my case took for me to get the time with my son I’ve always wanted."
Mr. Sensing is an excellent attorney. He fought with me the whole 2 years my case took for me to get the time with my son I’ve always wanted. I will definitely recommend his services to anyone and I will be going back to him if I have any issues in the future. Also Pat and Amy are awesome!!
- Satisfied Client