top of page

FAMILY LAW

  •  Uncontested/Contested  Divorce

  • Child Support

  • Custody

  • Visitation 

  • Adoption

  • Termination of Parental Rights

Bostick Law PLLC, understands the emotional, physical and financial strain that come with divorce, child custody, child support and visitation issues.  We focus on counseling you on the best strategies to lessen the financial strain and to make the process as painless as possible.  
​

UNCONTESTED DIVORCE

A uncontested divorce is a no fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences.  This type of divorce is governed by a Marital Dissolution Agreement that is agreed to and executed by each party.  The Marital Dissolution Agreement separates all marital property such as debts, bank accounts, real estate, pets,  and household items.    If there are minor children and child support is not already established, the Parenting Plan, agreed to and executed by both parties as will set out child support based on the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines and establish the parenting schedule for each parent. After a waiting period of 60 days with no minor children and 90 days with minor children, a trial will  be set and the judge will sign your final divorce decree and approve your parenting plan.  The court will not intervene on this type of divorce.  If for any reason the parties cannot agree, the divorce must be filed as a contested divorce.  Usually no documents are filed until all documents are signed.   Call Bostick Law, we can help.

What is Required:

1) File a compliant for divorce for irreconcilable differences with filing fee to court

2)  At least one party has been a resident of TN at least 6 months prior to filing the complaint for divorce

3) Marital Dissolution Agreement that is fair and signed by both parties

4) 60 day waiting period for parties with no minor children/ 90 days with minor children

5) Parenting Plan for parties with minor children

5) Health Insurance Notice

6) Final Hearing

​

CONTESTED DIVORCE

A contested divorce is a fault divorce based on adultery, inappropriate martial conduct, and cruel and inhumane treatment to name a few.  This type of divorce requires various documents, mediation, discovery and , if necessary a trial.  Mediation is required and is an attempt to come to a mutual agreement in an effort to dissolve the marriage without litigation.   If there are minor children and child support is not already established, the Parenting Plan,  will set out child support based on the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines and establish the parenting schedule for each parent.   The discovery process is like a information gathering process required to take the matter to a trial.   After a waiting period of 60 days with no minor children and 90 days with minor children, a trial will  be set.  Call Bostick Law, we can help.

What is Required

1) File a compliant for divorce with filing fee to the court.

2)  At least one party has been a resident of TN at least 6 months prior to filing the complaint for divorce

3) Marital Dissolution Agreement that is fair and signed by both parties

4) 60 day waiting period for parties with no minor children/ 90 days with minor children

5) Parenting Plan for parties with minor children

5) Health Insurance Notice

6) Mediation 

7) Discovery (If not resolved in Mediation)

8) Trial (if necessary)

​

​

Child Support

Child Support in Tennessee is governed by the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines.   Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over child support cases between unwed parents and parents who are married but living in separate households.  Circuit Court and Chancery Court has jurisdiction over child support cases established through divorce proceedings.  Child Support is based on the party's income, parenting time, child related health care, work related child care as well as other children in our out of the home.  Income can be imputed for the purposes of establishing support if either individual is purposely under or unemployed.   Ongoing child support will terminate when the minor child turns 18 years of age, however, arrears will continue to be collected until paid in full.  Unless paternity is disestablished, the husband of the Mother of the child at the time of the birth is the legal father and will be liable for child support for that child.  This is also true for men who sign a voluntary acknowledgment as the father of the child and the mother is not married.  Call Bostick Law, we can help.

​

Child Custody & Visitation

In Tennessee, if the parties are unwed, the mother as full custody of the child as a matter of law.  If the father of the child as a right to file a petition for custody or visitation to established parenting time, joint or full custody.  Married parties have joint custody of their minor children even if living in separate households until a parenting plan is approved by the court.   Grandparents have no legal right to visitation, however, exceptions to this rule may apply under the appropriate circumstances.  Siblings do have a right to visitation with other siblings.  Call Bostick Law, we can help.  

​

BOSTICK LAW, PLLC

Call us today 901-203-2616

bottom of page