RICHTER FAMILY
LAW GROUP, P.C.

You have been to court, had your hearing and the judge has granted the divorce. Now what? Most people believe that once the judge rules and bangs the gavel, the case is over. Not true. The judge must sign an order called a Final Decree of Divorce. Until the Final Decree is signed and filed with the clerk, you are not divorced. One more thing. It is the responsibility of the lawyers to type up the Final Decree of Divorce and present it to the judge to be signed. Often,

Having your spouse adopt your child is generally an easy process. We have the experience and knowledge necessary to handle step-parent adop

I get a number of calls each week seeking information on divorce. Most of those calls go something like this: Caller: I am seeking information on an uncontested divorce. Me: Okay, I need to ask you a few questions. How long have you been married? Caller: A little over six years. Me: Do you have any minor children with your spouse? Caller: Yes, we have a four-year-old little boy. Me: Do you own a house together? Caller: No, we rent an apartment. Me: Have

A question I am often asked is, “Can I get my spouse’s retirement account?” Or phrased a different way, “Do I have to give my spouse any of my retirement account?” The short answer is yes. Tennessee law defines marital property as any increase in value during the marriage of vested and unvested pensions and retirement accounts. If one or both of the parties had pension plans or other retirement plans that existed prior to the marriage, any increase in the value of that ret