Every divorce is different. The process and the length of time required can vary depending on how long the parties were married, if they had children and how much property they accumulated during the marriage. We understand how difficult divorce can be. We have experience confronting just the many issues divorce can raise and have assisted clients with resolving cases involving multifaceted property division issues and aggressive child custody disputes.

A divorce raises many legal issues, each of which must be resolved before you can continue with your life. Camp & Camp has considerable experience litigating each of these issues and has had success achieving positive results for our clients, both the courtroom and at the mediation table.

Grounds for Divorce

Establishing that grounds for divorce exist is the first obstacle in any divorce proceeding, and it can be difficult when one party does not want to be divorced.

Child custody

Camp & Camp has helped divorcing parents negotiate parenting plans and child custody agreements during the divorce process. We have also fought in court for parents when they cannot agree on what is best for their children.

Support

Having the resources you need to support yourself and your children during and after a divorce is a serious concern for most people. We have a solid understanding of the types of support available, including child support and alimony, and will focus on making sure fair results are achieved in support proceedings.

Asset Division

Even in cases with straightforward marital estates, asset division is the most complex aspect of many divorces. When a sizeable amount of property or a business interest is involved, the complexity increases. We understand the real-world issues at play when distributing marital property and have successfully litigated or otherwise resolved complex asset division cases in Tennessee family courts.

In addition to our divorce litigation practice, we use our knowledge of how divorce plays out to draft clear, complete and workable pre- and postnuptial agreements for couples who want to prevent the stress of a heavily litigated divorce.

In Tennessee, child custody laws make sure that custody is determined in the best interests of the child or children. In making a custody decision, there are undeniable factors that are taken into consideration by the court. Some of these are:

• The relationship of child or children with their parents or with the person appointed to take care of them and the existing bond and affection between the children and parents.
• The reasonable preference of a child over the age of twelve (12) may be considered by the court.
• The means and ability of each parent to provide the children with the basic necessities such as education, clothing, food, shelter, medical care and safety.
• Any past history of violence, physical or emotional abuse or neglect.
• The ability of the parents to encourage and nurture the relationship between the children and the other parent.

These are some straightforward factors that the Court will consider, but the law allows the judge to contemplate many other factors that may be important in each case. Some exceptional attentions may be given to the mental or physical illness of a parent or criminal history of a parent.

The court desires that the parents reach an agreement out of court or through mediation to avoid the need for a contested trial, which may be even more harmful to the children. The court will ask each party to submit a proposed Permanent Parenting Plan during the proceedings. If they cannot agree, they must attend mediation. The parents, along with their respective attorneys, will work with a professional mediator to attempt to reach an agreement for the care of their children.

If mediation does not assist the parents in reaching an agreement, the case will go to court for a trial before a judge. The judge must deliberate on all of the factors outlined in the law and make a verdict regarding custody and parenting time that is in the best interests of the children. The court must attempt to amplify each parent’s participation with the child or children. In most cases, the court will create some type of joint custody arrangement where each parent has specific time with the children. In rare cases, the court may award sole custody to one parent if the other parent is determined to be unable to care for the child or children or is unable to make pivotal decisions for the child.

Specific laws are in place regarding the relocation of parents who want to move with the children outside of the state or more than fifty (50) miles from their home. The primary residential parent who wants to move with the children must give the other parent written notice in advance of the proposed relocation, and the other parent will be given a chance to object to the move.

Camp & Camp offers qualified, tailored legal services to individuals and families who seek to grow their family through adoption or assisted reproductive technology. We help clients understand their rights and make decisions that best fit their goals. Together, we find and implement solutions by strategizing and considering all possible complications or obstacles.

Adoption is a special way to grow your family. Many people who want to adopt do not know how to begin the adoption process. Working with an experienced attorney will enable you to make choices about how to continue and to develop a plan that best suits your family.

Our commitment to clients has made Camp & Camp a trusted source for families who value our passion in our work and advocacy. Clients have included adoptive parents, agencies, children and birth parents, and we provide each with tailored legal services. If you are looking to grow your family, we can help you determine which type of adoption may be right for you. Services extend to immigration-related issues, assisted reproductive technology, adoption agency representation and becoming a legal guardian of a minor child

Guardian Ad Litem Work

A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is typically appointed or requested in cases with allegations of abuse, abandonment or neglect. A GAL provides a voice for children who otherwise might not be heard. A GAL is an advocate of the child, not the parent(s).

The GAL will independently gather material throughout the duration of the case by conducting interviews with the child and any person or professional who may have pertinent information about the child’s well being. The GAL can also gather and review records from many sources concerning the child.  The GAL assures that the child's wishes are heard and presents information through verbal and written reports to the court to assist with decisions made in the child's best interests.

Juvenile Work

Camp & Camp represents juveniles who have been charged with a criminal offense such as shoplifting, DUI, and more.

Our attorneys also represent parents in dependency proceedings in juvenile court against abuse and neglect charges. Such allegations are easy to make, and they can cause significant problems for parents, whether or not they are true or unfounded. We have experience representing parents dealing with Department of Children’s Services (DCS) investigations and though the Dependent Neglect court process.

Additionally, we offer representation to unmarried parents who seek custody, visitation and child support, termination of parental rights and all matters involving juveniles.

We are also committed to helping mothers, fathers and children legally establish paternity. Establishing paternity is more than just claiming that someone is the father. Sometimes these actions can be very complicated and as more children are increasingly born out of wedlock, a growing number of unwed mothers and fathers are seeking to lawfully establish parentage.