Deciding to divorce your spouse can be a difficult decision, in no small part because of the impact it has on yourself, your children and your relationships with family and friends. Of course, it can also greatly impact your finances.

One of the biggest concerns among those facing divorce is how their property is likely to be divided upon the dissolution of the marriage. One option that a divorcing couple has is to come to an agreement about the division of their property.

In cases where a couple cannot agree, however, a court will step in and make decisions about how marital property should be divided. In Tennessee, courts seek an equitable division of marital property. This means that courts will divide all property acquired during the marriage, no matter which spouse purchased it, in a way that is fair, without regard to questions of fault.

Contrary to what many believe, an equitable division does not necessarily mean that each spouse gets 50 percent of the marital property. In making its decision about what sort of division is fair, a court generally considers:

· Length of the marriage

· Earning potential of each spouse

· The age and health of each spouse

· Contributions - both financial and otherwise - of each spouse to the marriage

If you or someone you know is considering a divorce, contact an experienced divorce attorney. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer can assess your case and provide counsel about how a divorce is likely to affect you financially. For more information, contact a divorce attorney today.

Source: Forbes.com, "Legal Separation or Divorce: Which is Better Financially?" Jeff Landers