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Easter & DeVore: Compassionate Knoxville Family Law Attorneys

Family Law Attorney in Knoxville, TN

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Family law matters can be highly personal and emotionally challenging, often involving some of the most significant aspects of your life – your children, your home, and your financial stability. At Easter & DeVore, we offer compassionate and strategic legal guidance for clients facing various family law matters in Knoxville, Tennessee. Whether you’re navigating the process of divorce, custody battles, or child support disputes, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.

Our deep roots in the East Tennessee community and extensive understanding of both local laws and judicial procedures allow us to develop strategies that are not only sound from a legal perspective but also take into account the unique characteristics of the Knox County court system. We understand that each family’s situation is unique, and we strive to provide personalized attention that meets your specific needs and long-term goals.

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    Divorce and Legal Separation

    Divorce can be a difficult process, but having the right legal support can make a big difference in the outcome. At Easter & DeVore, we assist clients with both contested and amicable divorce proceedings. We address key issues such as property division, spousal support, child custody and child support.

    Tennessee is an equitable division state, which means that marital assets are divided fairly, although not necessarily equally. Our goal is to protect your interests and help you reach a solution that supports your future. The equitable distribution process involves analyzing what constitutes marital property and separate property, valuing assets such as retirement accounts, family businesses, real estate and personal possessions, and presenting arguments for a fair share. We also provide strong representation in matters related to spousal support, where Tennessee courts take into account factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity and needs, and the standard of living that was established during the marriage.

    Legal separation is an option for couples who want to live apart but are not yet ready to end their marriage. Our attorney can help draft separation agreements that define the rights and responsibilities of each party. These agreements can be used as a framework to prevent misunderstandings, establish temporary arrangements for child support and parenting time, and can even serve as the basis for a final divorce settlement if the couple decides to end their relationship later.

    • Sarah has been great with dealing with my HC Divorce Case. She has been able to talk me off the ledge a time or two and is able to explain things in depth if I need them. She takes the time and cares.

      Katie

    Read More Testimonials From Our Clients!

    Child Custody and Visitation

    Determining custody arrangements can be a difficult and emotional process in family law cases. Tennessee courts prioritize the best interests of children when making custody decisions, considering factors such as the child’s relationship with each parent, their ability to provide a stable environment, and their preferences if they are old enough.

    The court’s “best interest” analysis includes each parent’s physical and mental health, how the child adjusts to home, school, and community, as well as both parents’ willingness to maintain a close relationship with the other parent. In high-conflict cases, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem, an attorney for the child, to investigate and advocate on their behalf. Our attorneys have experience in this process.

    We assist clients in creating comprehensive parenting plans that outline custody schedules, visitation rights, and decision-making responsibilities. Whether you are seeking joint custody, sole custody, or need to modify an existing order, Easter & DeVore will advocate for a solution that supports your child’s well-being and your parental rights.

    A detailed parenting plan goes beyond a simple calendar; it addresses holiday and vacation schedules, methods of communication between parent and child during the other parent’s time, procedures for making major decisions about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing, and protocols for resolving future disputes. We work to create plans that are clear, workable, and designed to minimize conflict for the sake of the children.

    Child Support

    Both parents share financial responsibility for supporting their children. In Tennessee, child support is determined using an income sharing model that takes into account each parent’s income, the number of children, and how much time each parent spends with the child. Our firm helps clients establish, enforce, and modify child support arrangements to ensure that children receive the necessary financial resources and that obligations are fair given current circumstances.

    The calculation takes into account various income sources, such as wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other forms of income. It also considers deductions such as pre-existing child support payments, health insurance premiums for the child, and certain childcare expenses. We are skilled at navigating complex financial situations and ensuring that an accurate and fair child support calculation is presented to the court.

    Learn More About Child Custody

    Paternity

    Establishing paternity is crucial for securing legal rights and obligations for unmarried parents in Tennessee. Paternity must be legally established before a father can seek custody or visitation rights, or before a mother can request child support. This can be accomplished voluntarily by signing a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, or through court proceedings which may include genetic testing. The establishment of paternal relationship goes beyond financial support, it also establishes an identity, heritage and a legal basis for lifelong relations between parents and children, enabling children to access social security, military and health benefits through their fathers and granting them the right to inheritance.

    Easter & DeVore assists both mothers and fathers in paternity cases, ensuring that legal parentage is properly established. Once paternity has been confirmed, we help clients pursue or defend custody, visitation, and support arrangements that reflect the child’s best interests and each parent’s role. We guide fathers seeking to assert their rights and responsibilities, as well as mothers seeking to secure a legal and financial framework for their child’s upbringing. Our approach is always focused on establishing a legally sound basis that prioritizes the child’s well-being.

    Modifications and Enforcement

    Life changes, and sometimes court orders need to be changed too. Whether you are trying to modify a custody agreement, adjust child support payments, or enforce an existing court order, Easter & Devore can help. We assist clients by filing petitions with the court to request modifications and taking legal action to ensure compliance with existing orders. To modify an order, you need to demonstrate a significant change in circumstances that was not anticipated when the original decision was made. This could include a significant increase or decrease in income, a relocation of a parent’s job, a change in a child’s needs, or non-compliance with the parenting plan by one or both parents.

    Enforcement actions are necessary when one party is intentionally non-compliant. These actions can include motions for contempt of court, wage garnishments for unpaid child support, and requests for additional parenting time. Our team has experience in litigating post-judgment cases to protect your rights and ensure the stability of your child’s future.

    Why Choose Easter & DeVore?

    Navigating the family court system in Knoxville requires not only knowledge of the law, but also local experience, strategic foresight, and compassion. The team at Easter & DeVore has a dedicated focus on family law, which means we are constantly immersed in the latest statutes, case law, and procedural rules that apply to your case. We understand the judges, court clerks, and local practices that can affect the outcome of your case. Our attorneys are more than just litigators – they are counselors who take the time to listen to you, understand your goals, and explain your options clearly and concisely.

    We prepare each case as if it were going to trial, giving us the advantage to negotiate from a strong position while being prepared to advocate fiercely in court if a fair settlement is not possible. Our commitment is to find solutions that allow you and your family to move forward with stability and confidence, regardless of the outcome.

    • Sarah was very professional, knowledgeable, and well prepared. She answered any questions that I had regarding the case and made me feel comfortable through every step of the process. I’d highly recommend her services.

      Amber

    Contact Easter & DeVore

    If you are facing a family law matter in Knoxville, look no further than Easter & DeVore for expert and compassionate legal assistance. Our Knoxville office serves clients throughout Knox County and East Tennessee.

    During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your case confidentially, learn about your legal rights, and find out how we can help you navigate this difficult time towards a brighter future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards resolving your family issue.

    Common Family Law FAQs

    What family law issues does Easter & DeVore handle?

    Our firm provides comprehensive legal representation for a wide range of family law matters in Knoxville, Tennessee. This includes divorce (contested and uncontested), legal separation, child custody and visitation, parenting plans, child support establishment and modification, paternity actions, and the enforcement or modification of existing court orders. We guide clients through these personal and often complex issues with strategy and compassion.

    How is child custody determined in Tennessee?

    Tennessee courts make all custody decisions based on the “best interests of the child.” Judges consider multiple factors, including each parent’s relationship with the child, their ability to provide a stable home, the child’s adjustment to school and community, and, for older children, the child’s own reasonable preferences. We help clients build strong cases and negotiate parenting plans that prioritize their children’s well-being.

    How is child support calculated in Tennessee?

    Tennessee uses an “income shares” model. This means the court calculates the total support a child would receive if the parents lived together, then allocates a proportional share of that amount to each parent based on their income and other factors, including parenting time. Our attorneys help ensure support orders are calculated correctly and can petition for modifications if financial circumstances change significantly.

    What is the difference between divorce and legal separation?

    A divorce legally ends a marriage. A legal separation allows a couple to live apart under a formal court order that addresses issues like asset division, child custody, and support without terminating the marriage. Some couples choose separation for personal, religious, or financial reasons. We can draft separation agreements and advise on which option may be best for your situation.

    Why is establishing paternity important?

    For unmarried parents, establishing legal paternity is a crucial first step. It grants the father the right to seek custody or visitation and creates the mother’s right to seek child support. It also secures the child’s rights to benefits, inheritance, and knowledge of medical history. We assist with voluntary acknowledgments or court-ordered paternity actions, including genetic testing if needed.

    Can I modify an existing custody or child support order?

    Yes, if there has been a “material change in circumstances.” For custody, this could be a parent relocating, a change in the child’s needs, or issues affecting safety. For support, a significant change in either parent’s income or the child’s needs may warrant modification. We help clients petition the court for fair modifications or enforce existing orders when the other party is not complying.

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