Mediation in Tennessee Divorce

Ariana Grande is “Boq” again and whipping up controversy. As many readers will know, Ms. Grande will be filling the shoes of Galinda the good witch in the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked,” the book and fan-favorite Broadway musical. What has made a bigger splash in news headlines ahead of the release is that in July 2023 Ms. Grande announced she was divorcing her husband. Shortly after she confirmed a relationship with Ethan Slater, her married ‘Wicked’ co-star. Mr. Slater plays the munchkin “Boq” in the upcoming Wicked film release, and he and his wife entered into divorce proceedings shortly after Ms. Grande.

The public’s reaction to this news was dramatic, especially given the fact that Mr. Slater and his wife shared an infant son at the time the news broke. In an act that seems to be adding fuel to the fire, Ms. Grande just released a new song entitled “the boy is mine.” Many are calling the song a slap in the face to Mr. Slater’s (still) wife, and state that it is disrespectful to women and families in general. Mr. Slater and his wife, Lilly Jay, are still in the mediation phase of their divorce.

What does this mean? What can be determined in a mediation in a Tennessee divorce? And how long can one expect such a process to take?

What is Tennessee Divorce Mediation?

Tennessee divorce mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps a couple finalize various issues in their divorce. The structured session and neutral party can help many couples come to agreements on various issues, and therefore resolve the need for a court to make decisions for them.

Various items can be settled in mediation, including issues surrounding how you will divide marital debts or assets. Couples can also come to agreements on whether alimony will be paid and the terms surrounding that, child custody and parenting time schedules, child support, etc.

Mediation is required in most Tennessee divorces.

Why Pursue Mediation?

When a court/judge needs to be called in to hand down an order and settle terms of a divorce case, the couple is more or less stuck with whatever the judge decides. Quite often, terms that are agreed to in mediation are better suited to the couple, because the couple works them out themselves.

A custody agreement, for example, can be tailored far better by the parents who are intimately familiar with the family’s needs and routines. A judge will do their best to create an order that serves a child’s best interest, but they simply cannot know that child’s life in the detail that the parents do.

Mediation can be done outside of the court’s schedule, which can also save time. Court schedules are very often built out, and those couples who must resolve everything in court may find the divorce process dragged out longer than it would need to be if mediation was an option.

When Mediation May Not Be the Best Idea

While most divorces in Tennessee require mediation, exceptions do exist. Divorces involving domestic violence, for example, may not require the couple to complete mediation.

How Long Does Divorce Mediation Take?

The timeline will vary depending on the details of each divorce case. The more complicated the issues, the longer you can expect a mediation to require.

Contact Fort, Holloway & Rogers

Having an attorney with you through every phase of the divorce process, to include mediation, is the best way to ensure that your best interests are being served. Contact the experienced Franklin family lawyers at Fort, Holloway & Rogers today.

Sources:

tncourts.gov/programs/parenting-plan-info/faqs/mediation-questions

usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/inside-ethan-slaters-divorce-from-estranged-wife-lilly-jay/