Putting you in a position to succeed in your new life
Divorces are seldom sudden. Most of the time both spouses sense that their marital relationship is soon going to come to an end. Unfortunately, few spouses take the necessary steps to prepare to protect their financial and emotional security in anticipation of filing for divorce. Our Murfreesboro divorce planning attorneys at Pate & Knott are here to help you prepare for your divorce. Our goal is to make your transition into your new life as smooth as possible.
Preparing for an imminent divorce in Tennessee
Dividing assets is one of the most stressful and time-consuming components of any divorce. Our Murfreesboro divorce planning attorneys help you compile an accurate accounting of what should be in the marital estate through discovery and to make sure you are apprised of all assets that exist in your marital estate. We also help you prepare documentation in advance of filing for divorce and throughout the process, to assure both you and the court have all the information needed to make a reasonable settlement or distribution of assets.
Planning for divorce with your spouse in advance
It is most beneficial to both parties to have a mutually agreed upon plan in the event that you need a divorce. There are two primary mechanisms to do this: either a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Our Murfreesboro divorce planning attorneys recommend you and your spouse negotiate these agreements in order to reach a fair compromise for the dissolution of your marriage while you and your spouse are in the most reasonable states of mind. In Tennessee, the main factors that limit the enforceability of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement include:
- Timing — You and your spouse must have a reasonable amount of time to review and think over your agreement.
- Disclosure — Nondisclosure of financial assets or debts can void your agreement.
- Fairness — Upon enforcement of an agreement, family law judges review prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for reasonable fairness and compliance with general rules of law. For example, child support cannot be negotiated in one of these agreements.
- Independent counsel — Each party must be represented or acknowledge the right to seek their own representation by a divorce attorney prior to executing a binding prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
Schedule a free confidential consultation today with a knowledgeable Murfreesboro divorce attorney
At Pate & Knott, our Murfreesboro divorce attorneys are here to discretely discuss your options and help you plan for divorce. We assist you, so you are not left in a position where you are unprepared for divorce and left with an unjust divorce decree. Call us at 615-848-1221 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Evening and weekend appointments are available.