Division of Property Rights When Spouses Own Investment Properties
There are many different types of investment properties that earn an income: rental properties, condos, apartments, stocks, and many other types of real and personal property. Some of the investments provide a little extra cash for the owners. Other investments provide a livelihood. Some require extensive management such as making repairs and collecting rents. Other…
Read MoreA Deadlier Meth – “Super Meth” – Is Raising Alarms
New, dangerous drugs pop up on the black market all the time, creating significant health risks to users. One of these is a new form of methamphetamine (aka “meth”) which is currently ravaging East Texas. As a result, Texans in possession of drugs, in addition to manufacturers and sellers, are becoming the target of state…
Read MoreWhen Can You Appeal a Decision in a Family Law Case?
One of the great hallmarks of the United States judicial system is the ability to file an appeal after receiving a criminal or civil ruling in court when mistakes or errors occurred during a trial. However, an appeal is not a trial redo. The purpose of an appeal is to demonstrate that the trial court…
Read MoreTennessee DUI Laws and a Look Back at 2019 Statistics
One of the riskiest behaviors in which a person can participate is getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And, the consequences for drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) are serious. If you are facing a DUI charge, is important understand the potential consequences. Tennessee law lays out the…
Read MoreSharing Custody and Remote Learning: Avoiding the Pitfalls
In many ways, parents had a tougher job in many ways throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with many families experiencing increased financial pressures, parents also have to make difficult decisions about handling their child’s schooling. Many states and local school districts are allowing students to return in person full-time. However, others are…
Read MoreTermination of Parental Rights, and Petitions for Stepparent Adoption
As a stepparent, do you have a strong desire to “make it official,” and formally adopt your stepchildren? There are a number of reasons why a stepparent may want to make the transition to official parenthood. These include: The emotional benefits it provides for the family Enabling the child to take on the last name…
Read MoreHow to Navigate a Divorce When Your Spouse Is a Narcissist
Going through a divorce is difficult enough when your spouse is “normal.” (Well, normal for someone you no longer want to spend the rest of your life with.) Divorcing a narcissist is tougher because spouses who put themselves first are much more likely to litigate contested issues instead of trying to resolve them. Narcissistic spouses…
Read MoreWhy a Post-nuptial Agreement May Be a Good Idea
While it’s never romantic to think about the possibility of divorce while a marriage is thriving, there are many practical considerations that force spouses to think about post-nuptial agreements. For starters, before couples get married, they may not have much to discuss in terms of dividing their property. During marriages, couples have children and accumulate…
Read MoreFacing Domestic Assault Charges? Important Information to Protect Your Rights
Being accused of domestic violence is a serious issue. The police do not take allegations of lightly. If you find yourself being booked into a local police station for charges of domestic assault, it’s important to understand your rights. As with any type of crime, you should consult a Franklin criminal defense attorney before sharing…
Read MoreATVs and DUI Penalties
Many people love riding their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). They offer a super fun way to enjoy recreation, especially during the warm months of the year. These vehicles are not permitted to share the same space with cars, SUVs, and trucks on regular roads and highways. However, you do need a driver’s license just as any…
Read MoreDo I Need an Attorney If I’m Thinking of Separating from My Spouse?
No couple goes into a marriage anticipating one day they will get divorced. Sometimes, though, relationships falter, and you need to start making decisions about how to live apart. One of these decisions involves whether to separate or go through with a complete divorce. If both spouses are not comfortable with the idea of divorcing…
Read MorePotential Consequences of a DUI with Child Endangerment Charge
In the state of Tennessee, child endangerment encompasses various types of offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI) while transporting a passenger below the age of 18 in a vehicle. Serious penalties and consequences are possible when a DUI is involved with child endangerment even if the child was not injured or killed during the…
Read MoreIssues Surrounding the Division of Retirement Plans in a Divorce
When it comes to property division after a divorce, the question often arises as to what portion of the divorced couple’s retirement accounts is each spouse entitled to receive. These retirement accounts can consist of a number of financial instruments such as employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts (401(k)s or 403(b)s, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) or defined…
Read MoreA Look at Self-Defense Claims in Tennessee
Although self-defense laws across the country allow individuals to defend themselves from harm, these laws generally do not permit individuals to commit violence in just any given situation, and simply claim self-defense. Understanding the basics of self-defense law in Tennessee are important, both to understand how to properly use self-defense and avoid criminal charges when…
Read MoreWhen Can You Stop Making Child Support Payments in Tennessee?
Many divorced parents in the state of Tennessee understand the importance of paying for receiving child support money for their children. However, at some point, based on certain criteria such as the age of the child, the support will come to an end. The question is: when does this happen and when can you stop…
Read MoreWhen Can a Criminal Charge/Conviction Affect a Divorce Proceeding?
Life choices do matter. Spouses who are going through a divorce will have the right to argue that character matters in a wide range of divorce issues. Generally, the strongest evidence of bad character is that someone has been convicted of a crime. Being charged with a crime may be especially relevant if the charge…
Read MoreCreative Child Custody Schedules in Parenting Plans
In Tennessee, every divorce decree must include a parenting plan if there are minor children. Parenting plans need to address many issues, including decisions about physical and legal custody. The plans should: Be drafted to minimize the need for modifications Set forth the basic legal and physical custody requirements Minimize the risk of “harmful parental…
Read MoreDo Different Alcoholic Drinks Affect You Differently?
Many people think that different drinks affect people’s emotions differently. They’re certain that beer makes them feel differently than wine, and that wine shouldn’t affect them the same way bourbon does. The starting point for this question is that generally there is no difference in the amount of ethanol in standard drinks, which means a…
Read MoreCan I Date If I’m Legally Separated?
Separation is a legal term. Spouses who live apart without court approval are not separated in the eyes of the law. Dating while you are separated but not legally separated carries great risks that your relationship will become a factor in the divorce and related family law matters. Dating may also be a factor if…
Read MoreWhat are Stepparents’ Rights in Divorce?
Divorce is hard on everyone. It can be especially hard on stepparents who invest a lot of time and love with the children of their spouse during the marriage. When the marriage ends, the biological parent in the marriage has custody rights of their children. Stepparents are often forced to stay on the sidelines while…
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