Alimony Attorney in Memphis, TN

You put in the years; maybe you raised the kids, supported your spouse's career, or sacrificed your own earning potential to keep the household running. Or maybe you're on the other side, worried that an unfair alimony demand is about to change everything you've worked hard for. Either way, this isn't the time to hope things work out; it’s the time to fight for what's right.

As your alimony attorney in Memphis, that's exactly what we do.

How Tennessee Decides Alimony

A lot of people assume alimony is calculated the same way every time. It isn't. Under T.C.A. § 36-5-121, Tennessee judges weigh 12 different statutory factors—things like how long the marriage lasted, what each spouse earns and could earn, what the standard of living looked like, and yes, who was at fault for the marriage ending.

That means the outcome is decided by who makes the better argument. The spouse who shows up prepared, with evidence, with a clear story, and with an attorney who knows how Shelby County judges think—that spouse has a real shot at a fair result.

The two factors courts lean on most are financial need and the other spouse's ability to pay. But everything else on that list is an opportunity. Every year you stayed home. Every promotion your spouse got while you held things together. Every sacrifice that went unrecognized. Those things belong in your case.

In Shelby County, alimony requests during divorce start with a motion for temporary support heard by the Divorce Referee at the Shelby County Courthouse on 140 Adams Avenue. That first hearing sets the tone. You want to come in ready.

Four Types of Alimony—and Why the Right One Changes Everything

T.C.A. § 36-5-121 gives Tennessee courts four tools, and a judge can use more than one at the same time:

• Rehabilitative alimony—Tennessee's go-to. It's built to help the financially disadvantaged spouse get back on their feet—finish a degree, get certified, re-enter the workforce. It’s temporary, but it can be modified.

• Alimony in futuro—Long-term support for when getting back on your feet isn't realistic. It lasts until remarriage or death, and it can be revisited if life changes.

• Transitional alimony—A shorter bridge payment to help with the financial shock of adjusting to life post-divorce. Usually non-modifiable once it's in place.

• Alimony in solido—A fixed lump sum, sometimes paid over time. Once it's ordered, it's locked in. Often used to cover attorney fees alongside support.

Asking for the wrong type—or failing to argue for the right one—can cost you. Knowing the difference and knowing when to push for each is part of what a good alimony attorney brings to the fight.

What We're Fighting For—and What We're Fighting Against

We take on cases from both sides:

• You need support—You gave years of your life to that marriage and now you're starting over at a financial disadvantage. We build the case that shows exactly what that cost you and what you're owed.

• You're facing an unreasonable demand—Not every alimony request is fair. If the numbers are inflated or the circumstances don't add up, we push back hard with evidence and strategy.

• Your order needs to change—Job loss, income drops, remarriage, a complete change in circumstances—under T.C.A. § 36-5-121, you have the right to go back to court when things shift materially. We help you do that.

• They stopped paying—An order that isn't enforced is just a piece of paper. We pursue contempt and enforcement so that what the court decided actually means something.

Alimony usually connects directly to property division, child support, and custody—and a decision in one area can ripple into the others. We look at the full picture every time.

This Is Your Financial Future. Treat It That Way.

You don't get a do-over on alimony once it's finalized. The amount that gets entered, the type that gets ordered, the duration that gets set—those decisions follow you. They affect your rent, your retirement, and your ability to rebuild your life.

You deserve someone in your corner who takes that seriously. Someone who knows what Shelby County courts respond to, who understands the financial story behind your marriage, and who will go to the mat for a result that's actually fair for you. That's what you get when you work with our alimony attorney at Psonya Hackett Law.

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