Family Law FAQ
Sometimes it is unavoidable that the American legal system and your personal life will collide. Marriage, divorce and other domestic matters draw a very fine line between social bonds and legal contracts, and at times, they must be dealt with as both. When this happens to families, emotions tend to run high and legal complexities often arise. To give you a better understanding of family law and to ensure that you are well-informed, we have provided some common questions to get you started.
If you have any more questions regarding your family law matter, it is highly advised that you speak with an attorney from our firm in order to find answers that intimately relate to your personal situation. Having the legal assistance we can provide will help ensure that you will take the legal actions your case requires. There is no one size fits all when it comes to divorce and other family law issues, and Jeff Grimes & Associates, PLLC are prepared to offer legal aid according to your needs. Contact the firm today.
Our FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is property distribution determined?
Tennessee employs a legal process known as equitable distribution. This means that is couples cannot agree on a settlement, the court will evaluate both joint and individual assets and distribute them as they see fit. There are a variety of factors considered when determining how property will be split between two parties and under Tennessee Code § 36-4-121 the court divides assets based on:
- Length of marriage
- Age, physical and mental health, job skills and financial needs
- Contribution by one party to the earning power of the other
- Ability of each party for future income
- Contributions of each party to marital or separate property
- Value of each party's separate property
- Estate of each party Economic circumstances of each party
- Tax consequences of settlement
- Social security benefits
- Any other factors necessary
As these factors vary from case to case, it is highly advised that you have legal assistance when preparing a legal strategy tailored to your situation. Equitable distribution does not mean property will be divided equally, and hiring an experienced family law attorney from our firm can help lower your risk of unfair distribution.
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What are the grounds for divorce in Tennessee?
A no-fault divorce, meaning the dissolution of marriage without placing blame, can filed on the grounds of irreconcilable differences or if the couple has lived separately for at least two years with no children. At-fault divorces establish fault on one of the spouses and can be a considerable factor in determining alimony and parental responsibilities. Tennessee Code § 36-4-101 allows for several at-fault grounds. Some of the more common at-fault grounds for divorce include:
- Adultery
- Imprisonment or felony convictions
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Domestic violence or abuse
- Impotence
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How long does it take to get a divorce?The length for divorce proceedings vary considerably from case to case. In Tennessee, the minimum statutory waiting period for unmarried couples without unmarried minor children filing a divorce based on irreconcilable differences is 60 days, and 90 days if the couple has children. When at-fault grounds are plead, there are no minimum waiting periods. When divorces are contested, proceedings can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the situation.
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Why do I need a family law attorney?The Federal legal system and the state of Tennessee do not require you to have legal representation when filing for a divorce or when dealing with other issues of family. Given the complexities of the laws involved, however, having qualified legal assistance can help ensure your case runs smoothly. Family law cases also have a great deal of other factors and elements that can make a successful outcome highly desirable or necessary. Gaining child custody and visitation rights are personal victories that can be life-altering and nearly impossible to put a price on. It is also important to note that family law cases are rarely uncontested. This means your spouse or partner will have the ability to debate your actions and character in a court of law. If they have legal representation themselves, it becomes vital to the favorable resolution of your case to retain an attorney of your own.
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What is family law?Family law is a well-defined area of law that deals with family related legal issues. This can include matters involving domestic relationships and marriage, such as adoption, divorce, child custody, parental responsibility and domestic violence, among others. Family law cases are handled in Family Court.
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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