Filing for Divorce in TN

When filing for divorce in TN, the Courts ask all divorcing parents in Tennessee to take the Parent Education Seminar. Also, it should be completed as soon as possible after a divorce complaint is filed.  Therefore, our parenting class has some some great tips.  Additionally, we share pitfalls to avoid during the divorce process.  Here are just a few:

The TIPS

• Put the Kids First. Always. That is hard to put into practice!  Be mature enough to keep all negative comments about your Ex and their family away from your children. Never use kids as messengers between you and your Ex. Keep your emotions away from your children when possible and be a good listener for their concerns.
• Get Educated! Learn about waiting periods, forms and the divorce process in general. Many attorneys offer free or low cost consultations. The more you know, the easier it will be.
• Hire an Experienced Attorney. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Do they have a policy for returning phone calls? How often is your attorney in court? Are they familiar with your judge and how s/he rules? Do they almost exclusively practice Family Law?  It’s your money, so spend it wisely.
• Get Your Credit Report. It’s usually free and there are three different bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You need to run all three. Make sure you know every debt you are obligated on. Also, look for errors that may be bringing your credit score down. Work on fixing those errors while you still have the cooperation of your spouse. You may need to file for bankruptcy.
• Name Change? Women have one free chance to change their name in the Final Decree for Divorce. If you wait until after the divorce is final, you will have to file a separate petition (and pay a fee) for a name change. There are many reasons to keep or change your name. Some women choose to keep their married name for professional reasons or when they have small children. Others cannot wait to shed the constant reminder of an Ex and don’t want to be associated with his family. If you think your Ex might remarry, think about how sharing a name with his Wife will effect you emotionally.  Ultimately, it is your decision and he generally cannot force you to keep or change your name. Read more about changing your name HERE.