Legal Question in Family Law in Tennessee

Divorce State Filling

My sister recently moved to Tennessee from Connecticut, 3 months ago, she is now going to get divorced from her husband. He has initiated the talks on divorce and has cheated in the past on her when they lived in Connecticut. Does she file in Tennessee or does the divorce fillings have to happen in Connecticut?


Asked on 10/06/03, 10:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Misty D. Becker Rikard & Dobson, P.L.L.C

Re: Divorce State Filling

In order for someone to file for divorce in Tennessee, they must have lived in Tennessee, and the jurisdiction in which they are filing, for at least 6 months. I would highly suggest your sister do two things: 1. Speak with an attorney in Tennessee to see what her rights are upon divorce, especially if she has children or needs to request alimony, and 2. Speak with an attorney in Conneticut regarding the same issues.

There are many things that your sister must consider. The laws regarding alimony and child support may be different in each state. They may also be more favorable in one state verses the other. If your sister has children, she may want to wait 3 months until she meets the residency requirement and file here in Tennesse where it would be more convenient. Or, she may want to file where she would be allowed more child support, and similarly, more alimony.

She can only make these decisions after speaking with an attorney from both jurisdictions. Some attorney's will take consultations over the phone, so she should be able to find someone that can help her out.

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Answered on 10/06/03, 10:40 am


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