Personalized Attention. Powerful Representation.

Live Chat

Connect Now

Personalized Attention. Powerful Representation.

Live Chat

Connect Now

Spouse loses rights under divorce order

A recent case from Tennessee sends a strong message that if your ex doesn’t live up to the terms of your divorce decree, you should contact a family lawyer right away. That’s because if you wait too long to hold him or her accountable, you may lose your rights altogether.

The Tennessee case involved a situation where a husband was ordered to pay his ex-wife $50,000. The marital dissolution agreement called for an initial $25,000 payment followed by five annual payments of $5,000 each.


The couple reconciled after the divorce and lived together for five years, although they did not remarry.


The couple reconciled after the divorce and lived together for five years, although they did not remarry. During this time, the husband apparently did not pay what he owed according to the divorce agreement. When they broke up for a second time the wife took him to court to enforce the $50,000 award.

A family court judge ordered the husband to pay, but the Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned the judgment, citing a 10-year statute of limitations under state law.

The wife had argued that the clock had not run out under the statute of limitations because she brought her action within 10 years of when her ex-husband violated the divorce order.

But the court said it was too late because she filed more than 10 years after the order was entered.

The wife clearly understood what her rights were under the divorce, but she did not understand how long she had to exercise them. A good family lawyer will make these issues very clear and ensure his or her clients don’t make a similar mistake.

Facebook
LinkedIn
X
Pinterest
Threads
Email

Search by Keyword

209A abuser's history of violence alimony alimony order changes Alimony Reform Act of 2011 annulment assets bankruptcy beneficiary best interests of the child business business assets child custody child custody modifications child support child support adjustments child support guidelines Client Case co-parenting Collaborative Divorce college Coronavirus court-approved modifications courts COVID-19 custody rights date during divorce de facto parents Division of marital assets Division of Marital Property Division of Property divorce divorce agreement Divorce Later in Life divorce law Divorce Laws divorce process divorce settlement DIY divorce Domestic Abuse Equitable Distribution Essex Probate and Family Court Estate Plan evidence Experienced Divorce Attorney family law Fault Grounds filing for divorce grandchild visitation grandparent custody grandparent visitation gray divorce gray marriage Grounds for Divorce Guardian Ad Litem Guardianship Harassment Orders health care proxy health insurance coverage high net worth HIPAA holidays inheritance ira joint taxes legal advice legal requirements licensed attorney likelihood of continued harm Long-term marriage divorce marital estate marital home marriage marriage fraud Massachusetts Massachusetts Appeals Court Massachusetts divorce Massachusetts family law Massachusetts family law attorney Mediation nature and severity of abuse No-Fault Divorce non-biological parent out-of-state divorce Parental Unfitness Parenting Coordinator parenting plan paternity Pension plans personal finances pet visitation Post-divorce modifications postnuptial pre-nup prenuptial Prenuptial agreements property division Protective Orders relocation residency requirements retirement Retirement accounts Spousal support taxes trusts uncontested divorce Uniform Fraudulent Transfers Act visitation Will + Show All Tags
Need Legal Assistance?

Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced team guide you through your legal challenges.