Knoxville Alimony Attorneys

Helping You Understand & Navigate Alimony Laws in Tennessee

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a court-ordered payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. Alimony is not awarded in every divorce case, and the amount and duration of alimony payments can vary widely.

At Menefee & Brown, P.C., we understand that alimony is often a contentious issue in divorce. Our Knoxville alimony lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and options, as well as guide you through the legal process. Our team has extensive experience handling all types of alimony cases, from those involving short-term marriages to those involving long-term marriages and high-asset estates.

Call (865) 351-2029 or contact us online today to request an initial consultation with our team.

How Is Alimony Calculated in Tennessee?

Unlike child support, which is calculated using a specific formula, there is no set formula for calculating alimony in Tennessee. Instead, the court will consider a variety of factors when determining whether to award alimony and, if so, how much and for how long.

Some of the factors the court will consider include:

• The length of the marriage
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The age and health of each spouse
• The earning capacity of each spouse
• The education and training of each spouse
• The assets and liabilities of each spouse
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage
• The needs of each spouse
• The financial resources of each spouse
• The tax consequences of alimony
• Any other factors the court deems relevant

It is important to note that, in Tennessee, alimony is not meant to be punitive. Instead, it is meant to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. As such, the court will not consider any marital misconduct when determining whether to award alimony or how much and for how long.

Types of Alimony in Tennessee

In Tennessee, there are several different types of alimony that a court may award. The type of alimony that is awarded will depend on the specific circumstances of the case.

The different types of alimony in Tennessee include:

• Rehabilitative alimony: A lower-earning spouse receives this type of alimony so that they can become self-sufficient. This type of grant is usually awarded to lower-earning spouses who need to obtain further education or training in order to re-enter the workforce.
• Transitional alimony: Low-earning spouses receive this type of alimony to help them transition from marriage to singledom. In most cases, it is awarded to the spouse with the lower income who needs no further education or training to reenter the workforce.
• Alimony in futuro: This type of alimony is awarded to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they had during the marriage. It is usually awarded in cases where the lower-earning spouse is unable to become self-supporting due to age, disability, or other factors.
• Alimony in solido: This type of alimony is awarded as a lump sum payment. It is typically awarded in cases where the lower-earning spouse does not need additional education or training to re-enter the workforce and the higher-earning spouse has the financial resources to make a lump sum payment.
• Transitional alimony: This type of alimony is awarded to help the lower-earning spouse transition from married life to their new single life. It is typically awarded in cases where the lower-earning spouse does not need additional education or training to re-enter the workforce.

How Long Does Alimony Last in Tennessee?

Like the amount of alimony, the duration of alimony can vary widely. In Tennessee, there is no set duration for alimony. Instead, the court will consider a variety of factors when determining how long alimony should last.

Some of the factors the court will consider include:

• The length of the marriage
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The age and health of each spouse
• The earning capacity of each spouse
• The education and training of each spouse
• The assets and liabilities of each spouse
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage
• The needs of each spouse
• The financial resources of each spouse
• The tax consequences of alimony
• Any other factors the court deems relevant

In general, the longer the marriage, the longer the alimony will last. However, the court will consider all of the relevant factors when determining how long alimony should last.

Can Alimony Be Modified in Tennessee?

In the state of Tennessee, alimony can be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances. For example, if the lower-earning spouse gets a new job and starts earning more money, the higher-earning spouse may be able to have the alimony payments reduced or terminated. Similarly, if the higher-earning spouse loses their job and is unable to find a new one, they may be able to have the alimony payments reduced or terminated.

It is important to note that, in Tennessee, alimony cannot be modified if the parties agreed to a specific alimony arrangement in their divorce settlement. In such cases, the alimony arrangement is considered a binding contract and cannot be modified unless both parties agree to the modification.

Can Alimony Be Terminated in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, alimony can be terminated if the receiving spouse gets remarried. This is because the purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. If the lower-earning spouse gets remarried, they will likely have a new spouse to support them.

Alimony can also be terminated if the receiving spouse starts living with a new partner. However, proving that the receiving spouse is living with a new partner can be difficult. In such cases, it is best to consult with an experienced alimony attorney.

How Our Firm Can Help

At Menefee & Brown, P.C., we understand that alimony is often a contentious issue in divorce. Our Knoxville alimony lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and options, as well as guide you through the legal process. 

Call (865) 351-2029 or contact us online today to request an initial consultation with our team.