Spousal Support 101: Understanding Alimony in Solido
There are four categories of spousal support in Tennessee; alimony in solido, however, is a bit different from the rest of them. Often called “lump sum” alimony, this form of spousal support is the only one that: Can be paid all at once Can be paired in addition to other forms of alimony Does not…
Read MoreCustodial Interference vs. Denying Visitation Rights
A Tennessee woman made headlines in Arizona recently when she and her daughter were founded at a women’s shelter. The news stories claimed that the daughter was “reunited” with her father, and that he’s pressing charges of custodial interference. Custodial interference falls into the same part of the Tennessee Criminal Code as kidnapping, but they’re…
Read MoreFBI Errors May Have Gotten Some People Killed
In 2012, the FBI and Department of Justice launched a massive investigation into 2600 cases – including 45 death row convictions – stemming from the 1980s and 1990s. But after finding evidence of flawed forensic information in 160 cases, the FBI shut the review process down. The Washington Post reports that “According to the FBI,…
Read MoreHow Long Will My Divorce Take?
Once you’ve made the difficult decision to divorce, you may wonder just exactly how long the whole divorce process will take from start to finish. That is a good question, but one for which there is no uniform answer. Many different factors can speed up or slow down a divorce. Some of those factors are…
Read MoreImplied Consent and Breathalyzer Tests
When you are stopped for an alleged drunk driving charge, one of the first things the police officer asks you to do is to submit to a Breathalyzer (or Alco-Sensor) test. The question comes up constantly: Am I required to take the test, and what are the consequences of refusing? The short answer is no:…
Read MoreIn Tennessee, a DUI Requires a Motor Vehicle
In certain parts of the country, you can receive a DUI / DWI for operating any kind of vehicle – including a bicycle. In Tennessee, however, DUIs are exclusive to motorized vehicles. This includes: Riding a lawnmower Riding a motorcycle Riding a moped Driving a car or truck Riding a scooter Driving an ATV Driving…
Read MoreSupreme Court Rules Warrant Required to Search Cell Phones
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of new privacy laws, requiring police officers and law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant before searching criminal suspects’ cell phones or other small electronic devices. The unanimous 9-0 vote of the justices ruled smart phones and other electronic devices are not in the same category as…
Read MoreTennessee Requires Ignition Interlock Devices for All DUI Offenders
In 2013, a drunk driver killed Tennessee Titans player Delanie Walker’s aunt and uncle. So, it’s no surprise that he was front and center at a press conference singing the praises of Tennessee’s new ignition interlock device law. The new Tennessee law that went into effect on July 1, 2013 allows DUI offenders a chance…
Read MoreSimple Assault v. Aggravated Assault
When the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation put together its last report, they discovered that 57% of all crimes in Tennessee are committed against property. Theft and fraud top the list, though vandalism and arson make appearances as well. But from an individual standpoint, there were more cases of assault and aggravated assault than any other…
Read MoreTelling Your Children You Are Getting a Divorce
The end of a marriage is always difficult, even when the two parties involved have come to a mutual agreement. For children, however, the news can lead to unexpected responses, so it is understandable that parents may feel nervous or reluctant to speak with them. When the time comes to tell your children, there are…
Read MoreWhen Frat-House Pranks and Toga Parties Go Horribly Wrong
Ah, college – a time for fun and freedom, with a little learning thrown in. For a lot of young men and women, college seems like a fun stop on the way to the “real” world of 9 to 5 jobs and utility bills. Whether you’re a UT Volunteer in Knoxville or a Blue Raider…
Read MoreTips for Successful Co-Parenting
When parents separate and divorce they remain connected through their children. Most parents retain a strong desire to remain active in the lives of their children even when the marriage ends. It is not always easy to co-parent with a former spouse, but doing so is in the best interest of your children. Here are…
Read MoreLooks Like Arizona’s Bill Had an Impact on Tennessee Couples, Too
When Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would allow businesses to deny service to same-sex couples based on the business owner/operator’s beliefs, a lot of people breathed a collective sigh a relief – though not for collective reasons. Now it appears that Tennessee lawmakers have jumped on that bandwagon, postponing the debate over Senate Bill…
Read MoreHappy about the Undisclosed Rape Law? You Can Thank a Policeman.
Let’s get this out in the open: we know that criminal defense lawyers can sometimes appear a bit, well, harsh on Tennessee police. The police are in the habit of seeking punishment for the accused, while we’re in the business of seeking justice in the courts. It can seem like the two are at odds,…
Read MoreAnswers To Your Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support
The rules regarding child support in Tennessee are pretty solid – but that doesn’t mean that the laws don’t change. As family lawyers, we know you have questions, and often those questions are the same from family to family. So we thought we should address some of the more common queries you have, to give…
Read MoreFor the Family of Holly Bobo, an End May Be in Sight
If you spent more than five minutes in Tennessee since 2011, you’re familiar with Holly Bobo. A young, vivacious nursing student from a small town in Henderson County, Holly was abducted almost three years ago. Now the worst fears of her friends and family have been confirmed. Then last week, a turn of events: police…
Read MoreTennessee is Number One – And it’s Not Good
The reports are out from the Federal government, and Tennessee hasn’t fared so well. Our great state is number one, alright – number one in violent crimes. Turns out, the Volunteer State hasn’t been doing such a great job living up to its charitable name. According to the report, Tennessee ranks highest in the areas…
Read MoreDrug Bust in West Tennessee Yields Drug Crime Charges Against Nine
In early January, multiple law enforcement agencies joined together to arrest nine men and women who were “smurfing” — purchasing pseudoephedrine products in order to manufacture methamphetamine. The individuals in question now face charges ranging from possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia to promotion of methamphetamine manufacture and felony evading arrest. If you…
Read MoreEven if You Keep the House, You May Be Able to Split the Mortgage
When a couple divorces in Tennessee, the judge splits the assets of the marriage – property, retirement accounts, cars – in a way that is equitable, though not necessarily equal. This ensures that each party is treated fairly in the eyes of the law. Because the last few years have been a difficult time for…
Read MoreOur Supreme Court Doesn’t Care about Field Sobriety Tests – Maybe
When you are pulled over for a DUI in Tennessee, the police officer may ask you to perform a field sobriety test. They’re used to test coordination, mostly, so there’s a lot of “touch your nose with alternating fingers while you count to ten” types of tests to see whether or not you’re too impaired…
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