-A marrying couple doesn’t get into the relationship to get divorced or separated later on. Unfortunately, some relations are fragile, and they don’t work out for long. It means sooner or later separation or divorce is going to be discussed. When the couple is not yet ready for the divorce, legal separation in Tennessee is the best step ahead. Although, it’s not a permanent solution but surely less severe than a divorce.
In most cases, there is not even a single reason for couples to separate. The reason may be that they want a break from living with each other or can’t divorce because there are religious obligations. Some doubts that are there in the minds of separating couples are discussed here.
1# Legal Separation or Divorce
There are numerous reasons favoring a legal separation instead of a divorce
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Tax Benefits. Until the couple is married as per law, they can get the benefit of tax benefits. After the divorce, each spouse has to bear his or her tax responsibility.
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Child Benefits. Even after the marital separation, the dependent children can continue to get the benefits of family life. Usually, after divorce, these benefits cease to exist.
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Pension. A military pension is ensured only in case of legal separation. There is no such benefit after divorce.
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Medical Insurance. As separated couples are still legally married, they can benefit from each other medical insurance.
If the couple still has doubts, they should first try to fill the marital separation agreement online at Forms. Legal. It gives a fair idea of how things will be in the event of separation.
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2# Pros of Separation
Separation agreement protects the interests of both spouses. It resolves the complicated issues, e.g. child custody, visitation, support, debts, spousal support, and various other matters in the form of a written agreement that is acceptable and binding on both spouses.
Furthermore, marital separation doesn’t mean the end of the marriage. One of the spouses can still retain the insurance coverage in the event of incapacitation or demise of the other spouse.
Legally separated couples may choose to reunite as a married couple at any time and be recognized as married. The legal separation does not affect marital status. However, it divides the assets and debts and protects the parties from being liable towards personal debts. In some states, legal separation mandates, along with the waiting period to get a divorce.
3# Legal or Not
In the state of Tennessee, a legal separation happens when the judge signs the order which separates the spouses. It is same as the divorce, but none of the spouses is not allowed to remarry until they get the divorce legally. Grounds for separation may be many numerous, and the court can rule on various issues of separation as they would in the case of divorce. However, there is no order for the dissolution of marriage. Legal separation would include the financial support, child custody and distribution of the assets. The most common reason to separate is irreconcilable differences. Other grounds include habitual drunkenness, adultery, and inappropriate marital conduct.
4# Duration of Separation
Spouses can remain legally separated for the indefinite duration if they choose to do so after the court orders the separation. But, after two years in separation, the court can grant a divorce if either of the spouses says that there is no reconciliation or restoration of the marital relationship. The other spouse can’t stop the divorce from being granted after this duration.
Create a legal separation agreement at Forms. Legal
Numerous other doubts may be there in the minds of separating couple. Forms. Legal help to clarify them and resolve issues in the form of marital separation agreement Tennessee. Subscribe now and start creating the agreement for free!
Sample Tennessee Marital Separation
SEPARATION AGREEMENT
THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated this _____________of _____________, 20___.
BETWEEN:
________________
______________, _____________,
in the State of Tennessee, _____________
-and-
________________
______________, _____________,
in the State of Tennessee, _____________
- ________________ and ________________ (collectively the ‘Parties’ and individually a ‘Party’) were lawfully married on ______________ _________, ____________________, in ______________, Tennessee. Due to certain differences that have developed between the Parties, they agree to live separate and apart from each other, subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement.
- The Parties have made complete, fair and accurate disclosure to each other on all financial matters reflected in this Agreement.
- The terms of this Agreement are intended to settle the matters addressed, but it will not be incorporated into a final decree of divorce. The Parties agree that a subsequent separation agreement will have to be made and duly incorporated into a final decree of divorce.
- The Parties have each consulted an attorney with regard to his or her legal rights arising out of the marital relationship and the terms of this Agreement.
- The Parties have each voluntarily entered into this Agreement and have not been forced by anyone to sign this Agreement, and both Parties confirm that they are in sound mental health.
BACKGROUND:
IN CONSIDERATION OF the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
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LIVING SEPARATE AND APART
- The Parties have lived separate and apart since ________________________________. Neither Party will attend the other’s living space or work without invitation or approval.
- There is one child of the marriage, namely:
Name:
Date of Birth:
____________________
_____________ _____________, ____________________
- The Parties agree that sole legal custody is in the best interests of the child. The Parties agree that ________________ is granted sole legal custody, and has the primary right to decide regarding matters of health, education and welfare in the child’s best interests. ________________ may make emergency decisions affecting the health or safety of the child when the child is in her physical care and control. The Parties agree that the grant of sole legal custody to one Party does not deprive the other Party of access to information regarding the children.
- The Parties agree that the child will primarily reside with ________________.
- The Parties also agree that ________________ will have the following visitation time with the child:
- Regular visitation schedule:
______________________________________________ - Vacation visitation schedule:
______________________________________________
- Regular visitation schedule:
- ________________ will pay child support in the amount of $_________ monthly to ________________. Child support payments will commence on ____________ and will be paid on the _____ day of each and every month.
- ________________ will pay a total of $_____________ monthly to ________________ for the child’s uninsured health care costs, child care costs, and other additional costs, such as __________________________. Child support payments for these expenses will commence on _______________________ and will be paid on the _____ day of each and every month.
- The Parties agree that each will provide the other copies of their income tax return and any notices of assessment and re-assessment issued, on an annual basis.
- ________________ will maintain health insurances, including medical and dental coverage, for the benefit of ____________________.
- Subject to the laws of Tennessee, child support payments, contributions to uninsured health care costs, child care costs, additional costs, and the maintenance of health insurance will continue as long as a child is under the age of majority and financially dependent on the parents.
- Neither Party claims entitlement to spousal maintenance. Both Parties expressly waive any claim to spousal maintenance now and in the future, regardless of any change in circumstances experienced by either Party.
- The Parties acknowledge that they have agreed upon a division of all assets, owned or possessed by them as marital property or separate property. The Parties are in possession of all of those assets to which each is respectively entitled. Accordingly, neither makes any claim to any assets in the possession of the other.
- The Parties agree that any indebtedness secured against, or attributable to, any item of property that either Party is receiving under this Agreement will be the sole responsibility of the Party receiving the particular property.
- Neither Party will incur any further debt or liability on the other Party’s credit. Any debt accumulated as of the date of this Agreement is the debt of the individual Party, regardless if the debt was incurred as a result of joint credit.
- The Parties will promptly sign and give to the other all documents necessary to give effect to the terms of this Agreement.
- This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties about their relationship with each other. It replaces any earlier written or oral agreement between the Parties.
- Should any portion of this Agreement be held by a court of law to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, such holding will not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, and the Parties agree that the portion so held to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, will be deemed amended, reduced in scope, or otherwise stricken only to the extent required for purposes of validity and enforcement in the jurisdiction of such holding.
- The Parties may only amend this Agreement in writing after both Parties have obtained legal advice on the changes.
- In the event that a dispute arises regarding this Agreement, the Parties will try to resolve the matter through negotiation or mediation, prior to initiating a court action.
- Notwithstanding that the Parties acknowledge and agree that their circumstances at the execution of this Agreement may change for any reason, including but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the passage of years, it is nonetheless their intention to be bound strictly by the terms of this Agreement at all times.
- This Agreement creates a fiduciary relationship between the Parties in which each Party agrees to act with the utmost of good faith and fair dealing toward the other in all aspects of this Agreement.
- The Parties agree to provide and execute such further documentation as may be reasonably required to give full force and effect to each term of this Agreement.
- The headings of this Agreement form no part of it, and will be deemed to have been inserted for convenience only.
- This Agreement will be binding upon and will enure to the benefit of the Parties, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns.
- If the Parties reconcile, the terms of this Agreement will remain in effect unless the Parties revoke it in writing.
- This Agreement may only be terminated or amended by the Parties in writing signed by both of them.
- The laws of the State of Tennessee will govern the interpretation of this Agreement, and the status, ownership, and division of property between the Parties wherever either or both of them may from time to time reside.
CHILDREN
CHILD CUSTODY
CHILD SUPPORT
SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
ASSETS
DEBTS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly affixed their signatures on this_____________ of _____________, 20___.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF____________________
I, Attorney, within and for said County and State, do certify that on this day came before me, ________________, personally known to me, whose name is signed to the foregoing Separation Agreement and so acknowledged his signatures on this Separation Agreement and that ________________ entered into this Separation Agreement on his own free will and volition without force or duress by any Party.
Given my hand and seal this ___ day of ____________________, 20___.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF____________________
I, Attorney, within and for said County and State, do certify that on this day came before me, ________________, personally known to me, whose name is signed to the foregoing Separation Agreement and so acknowledged her signatures on this Separation Agreement and that ________________ entered into this Separation Agreement on her own free will and volition without force or duress by any Party.
Given my hand and seal this ___ day of ____________________,20___.
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CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF____________________
I, _______________________________, of the City of ___________________________, in the State of Tennessee, Attorney, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
THAT I was this day consulted in my professional capacity by ________________, named in the within instrument, being a Separation Agreement, separate and apart from ________________, as to his legal rights and liabilities under the terms and conditions of it, and that I acted solely for him, and explained fully to him the nature and effect of this foregoing Separation Agreement and he did execute it in my presence, and did acknowledge and declare that he was executing it of his own volition and without any fear, threats, compulsion or influence from ________________ or any other person.
DATED at the City of _________________, in the State of Tennessee this ___day of _________, 20___.
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I, ________________, the person named in the annexed Agreement, hereby acknowledge the foregoing this ____day of ______________20___.
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CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF____________________
I, _______________________________, of the City of _________________________, in the State of Tennessee, Attorney, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
THAT I was this day consulted in my professional capacity by ________________, named in the within instrument, being a Separation Agreement, separate and apart from ________________, as to her legal rights and liabilities under the terms and conditions of it, and that I acted solely for her, and explained fully to her the nature and effect of this foregoing Separation Agreement and she did execute it in my presence, and did acknowledge and declare that she was executing it of her own volition and without any fear, threats, compulsion or influence from ________________ or any other person.
DATED at the City of __________________, in the State of Tennessee this ___day of _________, 20___.
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I, ________________, the person named in the annexed Agreement, hereby acknowledge the foregoing this ______day of ______________20___.
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Sample
TN Marital Separation Agreement
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