Family Law Attorney Chattanooga TN

Affordable legal help

Family Law Attorney Chattanooga TN

Nobody opts for a divorce willingly. It is the extremity of the situation which causes you to take such a step. Most people are hesitant because of all the legalities that come with divorce, including property division, spousal support, child custody and visitation. To help you adequately resolve your issues, you need an attorney with a high level of expertise.

This is why we recommend thoroughly experienced lawyers at Affordable Legal Help. We provide unbundled legal services to our clients in Chattanooga, TN. Our family attorneys Chattanooga, TN are highly responsive to the needs of our clients and can be trusted to handle all sorts of legal matters properly. Our family lawyer Chattanooga, TN will smoothly take you through the whole process of divorce and handle all the documentation and other formalities.

Divorce Laws in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Being a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, there are certain divorce laws that you need to be aware of.

• There is no residency period required for filing for a divorce.
• If the person applying for divorce is residing in Tennessee, they can apply for a divorce even if they moved in less than 6 months ago.
• You can also apply for a divorce if you're currently out of state, but had been a resident of Tennessee previously, for 6 months.

To better understand these laws and requirements, it is recommended to seek help from Chattanooga divorce lawyers,who can give you a better picture of the whole procedure.

Laws for No-Fault Divorce

Like all other states of the US, Tennessee also follows the no-fault divorce rule. The grounds for a no-fault divorce are:

• If the couple has been separated for 2 years.
• If there are no minor children involved.
• There are irreconcilable differences.

Instances of Filing for a Divorce

There are many other instances due to which you can file for a divorce in Chattanooga, TN. Some of them are:

• Adultery
• Violence (including attempted murder)
• Cruelty
• If either spouse abandons the other for a year
• Addiction (Drug or Alcohol)
• Pregnant with another man's child while being married
• Impotency
• Either spouse is involved in crimes.
• Not providing basic needs even when they are capable.

Whether you’re filing for a no-fault divorce or have other reasons for it, a divorce attorney Chattanooga, TN will be of great help to smoothly take you through the whole process.

Child Custody Laws in Chattanooga, TN

Going through a divorce can be even more complex when minor children are involved. When one party files for a divorce, both the parents are required to make decisions regarding child custody and support. Most of the time, the parents are unable to come to terms regarding this and the court has to step in and pass a judgement. Even if the parents do agree on their own terms, they have to get it approved from the court.

Filing for Child Custody

If the parents of the child are married, they have to follow the steps mentioned below when filing for child custody:

• When one of the parents applies for child support, both parents have to attend a parenting class.
• They will then come up with a parenting plan which is a detailed outline that states the responsibilities of each parent towards the child.
• The court will review the plan and see if it is in the best interest of the child before approving it.
• In case the plan is not according to the Tennessee laws, the court will revise it and make it per the law and make sure that it benefits the child.
• In case the parents do not agree on the parenting plan, the court will decide on their behalf and give the care and custody to both or one of the parents.

Factors to Consider

Before taking a decision, a court considers the following factors:

• The child's preference
• The child's stability
• The parents ability to cater to the child's needs
• The parents willingness
• Mental and physical health of the parents
• History of violence or substance abuse

If one of the parents is moving more than 100 miles away, they are required to give a notice to the other parent 60-days before moving.

With so many rules and regulations to take care of in the process of child custody, a child custody lawyer Chattanooga, TN should be contacted for guidance.

Child Support Laws in Chattanooga, TN 

According to the child support laws in Chattanooga, the Tennessee's Department of Human Services' Child Support Program is responsible to collect the payment from the alternative residential parent (ARP) commonly known as non-custodial parent and deliver it to the primary residential parent (PRP), aka custodial parent. This whole process requires an existing court order.

Child Support Calculation 

The amount of child support payable to the custodial parent, by the non-custodial parent, is calculated according to the income of both the parents and the time each parent spends with the child. The income of both parents along with the number of children is entered into a calculator, which determines the amount of child support payable by each parent.

The amount can be modified by the court if there are changes, like the job of either parent or other factors that alter income.

What Expenses Does Child Support Cover? 

A court can order child support to cover basic expenses including:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• Transportation
• Health insurance
• Extraordinary educational needs
• Medical expenses (hospital visits/dentist)
• Extracurricular activities expenses

A child support lawyer Chattanooga, TN will be able to provide a more detailed explanation of the various rules and laws regarding child support.

How Can We Be of Service?

Our network consists of a large number of lawyers spread over different states. You can easily contact the ones near you.

Our Company Chattanooga divorce attorneys are happy to provide legal help to you at an affordable price. Our fee starts from $500 up to $1500, depending on the nature of the case.

So, contact us for a free consultation, so that we can provide you with the help you need.