There are many things you should expect to happen when you get divorced. Your assets will be divided, your tax filing status will change and you will have to start complying with a parenting plan if you have kids. These things will happen whether you want them to or not.
However, there are some things that won't necessarily happen automatically. For instance, if you are expecting spousal support, you will not want to just wait and hope the court awards it to you.
If you do not have a prenuptial agreement with alimony clauses that already address the issue, you will typically have to file a motion with the court. In either case, taking action to secure the post-marital support you want can prove to be critical in your divorce settlement and financial resources after divorce.
Alternatively, you may have reason to reject or decide against spousal support. For example, actress Amber Heard recently withdrew her request for alimony in her divorce from actor Johnny Depp. According to reports, she decided to do this so that the financial element would not detract from or taint her allegations of domestic violence against Depp.
The fact is that there is no one solution or expectation when it comes to spousal support. Every case is different, and whether alimony plays a role in your own divorce will depend significantly on your individual marriage and the steps you do or do not take after filing for divorce. It is also a decision that will largely be left in the hands of the court.
In order to discuss alimony in more depth and with more specificity, it can be crucial to consult a family law attorney familiar with the details of Tennessee alimony laws.