Bartlett Divorce Law Blog

How can I be optimistic about post-divorce life?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in divorce on Wednesday, December 2, 2020.

Many people cite the period of divorce as one of the most stressful and tumultuous periods of their lives. It's human nature to favor security over change, so any massive amount of change such as this is deeply uncomfortable for many people.

If much of your identity is rooted in being one half of a married couple, feeling optimistic about post-divorce life might feel difficult. You may feel as though you are a failure and that your life is no longer within your control. These feelings are understandable and valid, but there are ways in which you can move past them and actually start to feel excited about post-divorce life.

How can alimony affect taxes?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in alimony on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

If you are going through a divorce and you earn significantly more than your spouse, it is very likely that you will be ordered to pay alimony. This may feel frustrating and unfair, especially if you believe that you'll have to suffer financially as a result.

While being ordered to pay some form of alimony may be unavoidable, it can be possible for you to negotiate this effectively. There is a big difference between paying one lump sum as part of the divorce settlement and being made to pay your spouse an income for the next 20 years. You should not forget that alimony payments can have significant implications on your taxes, in addition. The following is an overview of the alimony tax rule that was part of the 2018 tax reform.

Explaining custody to children sensitively

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in child custody on Friday, November 20, 2020.

If you are no longer in a relationship with the other parent of your child, it is likely that you are in a position where you share custody or have a visitation agreement in place. You may not currently be satisfied with the current agreement, but you will have to abide by it -- unless you can show that a change of circumstances has occurred.

It is important that you take the time to consider how your child will be affected by these arrangements. They may at first feel confused or upset about what is happening. Therefore, it is important that you talk to them in an age-appropriate way so that you can address any concerns that they are having. The following are some tips for explaining custody to children sensitively.

Dividing marital assets in Tennessee

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in property division on Friday, November 13, 2020.

Going through a divorce means that you need to make yourself familiar with different laws and processes. While this may feel overwhelming and tedious right now, taking early action to understand how the divorce process works could make for a better outcome.

Dividing assets in a divorce can be a stressful process, but it doesn't need to be. State laws differ considerably in regard to how assets are divided, so it is important that you pay particular attention to the laws in your state. The following is an overview of how marital assets are divided in Tennessee.

Should you file for divorce now or after the new year begins?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in divorce on Friday, November 6, 2020.

Many people have new year's resolutions. While they may include eating healthier or exercising more, filing for a divorce is not commonly cited. That said, many people see the new year as an opportunity to get a fresh start, and they may think about what they want to change months before.

If you are currently unhappy in your marriage, you may decide that you want to spend some time preparing for the divorce before you take action to file. This could lead you to wait until the new year. The following are some additional reasons why you may want to file for divorce in the new year.

Dealing with negative feelings about visitation

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in visitation on Friday, October 30, 2020.

If you are no longer in a relationship with the other parent of your child, you will likely need to share custody with them or have a visitation arrangement in place. If you are used to spending the majority of time with your child and they are very attached to you, the prospect of handing them over to their other parent may be met with feelings of resistance or dread.

It may be that you are used to being the primary caregiver of your child, or you may feel that your child and their other parent do not yet have a strong enough bond for extended visitation. No matter what you are feeling, the following are some tips for dealing with the emotions you have about your child's visitation agreement.

Can I avoid paying alimony in Tennessee?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in alimony on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

If you are going through a divorce and you earn a higher income than your divorcing spouse, you may be concerned that forced alimony or spousal support payments will financially cripple you for years to come.

The fact is that alimony is very common at the end of a divorce in Tennessee, but whether the judge will order it depends on many different factors. The following are some factors that can influence whether or not you have to pay alimony to your spouse:

Resolving custody can be done through teamwork

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in child custody on Friday, October 16, 2020.

If you have found yourself in a child custody dispute because you and your ex disagree on what is best for your children, you may think that you'll need to take an aggressive approach and challenge them in court. While this may be the case in some circumstances, you should first consider whether you can work together to come to an agreement.

Child custody disputes can be resolved informally if both parents are willing to engage in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings, The following is an overview of the options you have if you want to try to resolve your curtsy dispute out of court.

How to manage negative emotions in a divorce

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in divorce on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

While you might be hopeful about having a pleasant divorce experience, the reality is that you'll have to face some negative emotions and difficult situations. While these experiences may be unavoidable, there are ways that you can effectively manage them so that your mental health as a whole is not affected.

It's important that you check in with yourself throughout the entire process of divorce to check that you are giving yourself enough time to heal and gain closure. The following are some ways in which you can manage negative emotions during this challenging time.

What are the types of alimony available in Tennessee?

On behalf of The Law Office of Jeffrey Jones posted in alimony on Friday, October 2, 2020.

If you're going through a divorce in Tennessee, you may eventually have to address the issue of alimony, otherwise known as spousal support. The question of whether you will be ordered to pay alimony to your divorcing spouse will largely depend on your relative income, but the property division settlement will also play a factor. If you have a significantly higher income than your divorcing spouse, it is possible that you will be ordered to pay alimony for some time.

Four different types of alimony are available in Tennessee. The following is an overview of the purposes of each different type.