Get a Smart Divorce Blog

Divorce and paying for college are topics I routinely discuss with my Nashville and Brentwood, TN clients. But, we discuss far more than just college expenses. There are college search trips, SAT prep classes, professionals to help your child with their essay, application fess and many more you...…

Divorce and children are a topic I frequently discuss with clients in my Brentwood, TN office.  I have found it is critical to consider what is best for the children.  If the parents focus on that issue, the parenting plan falls into place.  Is it best for them to be on a 7 days off, 7 days on...…

A divorce settlement needs to look at the short-term and long-term financial impacts.  In the short term, what can the husband afford to pay in child support and or alimony?  What are the monthly expenses (including taxes) for both spouses and the children?  What amount of alimony does the wife...…

Divorce and alimony are topics I discuss with clients every day.  It is really very straight forward and is all about the numbers... Attorneys tell me the main issues are how much does one spouse need and what is the other able to pay.  So, it is essential that both spouses have a solid...…

Financial issues of divorce need to be clearly understood by both spouses to ensure a fair settlement.  Think about this... divorce is 45% emotional, 45% financial and 10% legal... Find this suprising?  Perhaps you are new to the world of divorce?  Granted, every case is different but, divorce...…

Divorce and taxes is a topic I discuss with clients on a daily basis. The recent tax changes have significant impacts on divorce settlements. While understanding all of the changes can be overwhelming, below are common tax issues I've been explaining to and discussing with clients and their divorce...…

Divorce and children's expense are a topic that many divorcing couples fail to adequatley address.  Why?  Because they are so distraught and distracted that they are not thinking clearly.  Because they likely have not been divorced before, they don't know what they dont know.   For example, I...…

A divorcing parent is required to attend the parentingf class if they have a minor child or children.  This four-hour class is offered by several companies throughout Nashville and two providers offer an online class.  Many of my clients have taken the online class rather than attending the class...…

I was meeting with clients in my Brentwood office today and we discussed what to do with the marital residence.  Because they have three children, they would like to keep the house.  But, they could not afford to both have a residence large enough for three children.  So, they came to a...…

Divorcing parents are frequently concerned about how their child or children will spend time with each parent after the divorce is final.  The document that outlines the time spent with each parent is called a parenting plan.  This plan also covers which parent will pay for the children's health...…

I received a phone call this morning from a man who has been thinking about divorce for about 6 months.  He and his wife have agreed their marriage is no longer working.  They have both reached out to divorce attorneys and were not pleased with the aggressive, take no prisoners approach from the...…

If you are divorcing in TN and have children, remember that TN divorce laws state that child support payments will end when a child turns 18, or graduates from high school. If you are receiving child support, just because your child is at college does not mean that expenses for that child are $0...…

Graduation day from high school or college is a proud day for parents. Our children look so grown up in their cap and gown as the walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. After the ceremony, the family frequently enjoys a meal together. Imagine both parents at the event being able to enjoy...…

If couples hope to achieve a fair divorce settlement that is acceptable to both spouses, thinking outside the box is essential. I've never had the exact same settlement for any of my Nashville clients because each family is unique and so are the solutions to their problems. A settlement that I am...…

I received a phone call today in my Brentwood, TN office and the caller asked about collaborative divorce.  They read something on-line and wanted more information.  Here's is summary of the collaborative divorce process. A therapist coach, financial professional, attorney for the husband and...…

  As a parent, I understand at age 18, a child is typically not financially independent from their parents.  I find it strange the laws of TN state that child support payments end when the child is 18 and has graduated from high school.  It is important to understand child support payments DO...…

Although TN laws do not require child support after a child has turned 18 and graduated from high school, most children still require financial support past 18, during college and graduate school.  Rather than assuming one parent will of course pay for college etc., I encourage divorcing parents...…

A divorcing client came into my Brentwood, TN office today and showed me a draft of a Parenting Plan from his divorce attorney.  The following items were incorrect and are frequently wrong in the Parenting Plans I review for clients. 1.  The child support calculation did not include the correct...…

If you are divorcing and have children, it will be important for you to communicate directly with your spouse regarding parenting time, how expenses for the children will be paid and many other topics.  While this is likely a difficult time for both spouses, you know your children better than the...…

During the divorce process, emotions are heightened and it can be difficult to focus.  However, it is only after those divorcing really focus on the numbers that an acceptable settlement can be achieved. For example, a divorcing couple was in our Brentwood, TN office this morning and they said...…

I past client called my Brentwood, TN office today today and gave me an update on their post-divorce life... Their divorce was over about fifteen years ago and the first couple years were difficult for co-parenting.  She and her ex-spouse have worked through the "kinks" and are now co-parenting...…

A potentail client came into my Brentwood, TN office this morning for an initial consult to understand our collaborative divorce mediation services.  Like most people divorcing, they were confused about the first steps of divorce.  I explained that because divorce is 95% emotions and finance...…