So, you've recently engaged in a family law dispute and received an outcome you didn't want from the court. What happens next? Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may want to appeal - but understanding the benefits and drawbacks of doing so is essential if you want to ensure you pursue the best outcome in your case.
To schedule a consultation with our team for your appeal, contact us online or via phone at (731) 256-0023.
How Do Appeals Work in TN?
To appeal a family law case, you must file for an appeal within 30 days of receiving a judgment from the court. If you wait longer than 30 days, you may no longer be able to file for an appeal.
Appeals must be supported by some kind of evidence. Generally, people file for an appeal because:
- They believe the court failed to apply the law correctly or follow legal precedent for their case, or;
- They believe the court or the judge showed one party an unfair bias during the proceedings, resulting in one party receiving an unfair judgment.
However, appeals can be filed for a number of other reasons. If you are considering filing an appeal, speak with a lawyer who has experience handling appeal cases - they can help you understand whether you have sufficient grounds to file for an appeal.
An appellate court will hear your appeal. If the appellate court rules in your favor, it may order a retrial of your case with a different judge presiding over it, enabling you to potentially receive a different outcome in your case.
What Are the Benefits of Appealing?
The benefit of appealing a case is fairly simple. If your appeal is successful, you can obtain an entirely different - and hopefully, more fair - outcome in your family law case.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks?
Appeals usually cost time and money, much like most court procedures. If the appellate court rules against you, or you receive the same outcome in a retrial, you may find yourself spending a significant amount of time and money, all to only receive the same result you were trying to protest.
For this reason, working with a skilled lawyer is essential. They can help ensure that you only pursue an appeal if it's likely to give you a better outcome in your case, and work with you to ensure you put your best foot forward in front of the appeal court and jury.
To schedule a consultation with our team for your family law appeal, contact us online or via phone at (731) 256-0023.
