Tennessee has dozens of state laws that regulate the divorce process, some of which people don’t know much about. There are a lot of myths about divorce, and it can be hard for people who haven’t actually gone through one before to know what is true and what is just an urban legend.
State law in Tennessee creates certain unique requirements for couples considering divorce. Rule 31 is a perfect example. Many people have never heard of the rule that establishes a requirement that most couples attempt mediation to resolve their disputes prior to litigating their divorce.
Why does the state encourage mediation?
Litigating a divorce can require a large amount of time from a judge and drastically increase the costs a couple pays to dissolve their marriage. When a couple chooses mediation instead, they can potentially settle their disagreements out of court, which means that it will cost much less for them to finalize the process.
Not only does this free up the family courts for more pressing matters, but it could also help your family take control over the outcome of the divorce, meaning that you will be less likely to require modifications to custody and support orders in the near future.
Is mediation always required?
While mediation can be beneficial in many scenarios, it doesn’t work for every couple. If there is a history of abuse or if one partner has mental health issues, mediation could ultimately prove fruitless or possibly put one spouse at a significant disadvantage.
Learning more about divorce mediation and the Tennessee approach to marital dissolution can help you plan for the upcoming changes to your family.
