KNOXVILLE -- The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is pursuing legislation that would require respondents be served notice of the filing of a petition for divorce or separation before the court action is made public.

“Our Family Law Section has been in discussions about how to address what they see is a growing problem,” said TBA President Jonathan Steen. “Respondents find out that their spouse has filed for divorce before safety plans can be put in place or before restraining orders can be served. We think a targeted solution to this problem is that information about the filing of divorce should be delayed until the respondent is served.”

The TBA will work with domestic violence prevention groups, lawmakers, judges and court officials to craft a solution that balances protection of those involved in divorce cases with the public’s need to know about what is happening in their courts.

Published November 12, 2014