There are few words that elicit true horror like the words “probate litigation.” We understand. You worked hard for the life that you built, and you just want to make sure your loved ones are protected. There are ways to reduce the stress of probate and avoid litigation, so that your final wishes go off without a hitch. Review and…
One of the worst feelings in the world is knowing you held up your end of the bargain by keeping up with the maintenance of your vehicle, only to be left stranded on the side of the road. You start wondering if you bought a lemon that’s going to become an endless sinkhole of repair bills. Then you turn to…
Building your family through adoption is exciting, but it can be expensive. We know that you know that not everyone who adopts is required to be well off, and that it’s more important that a child experience a loving family than take weekly winter ski trips or attends a private school. Still, even if you can manage the financial end…
Any time a custody dispute arises it can be a scary thing – not just for parents, but also extended family members. Facing the prospect of losing custody of your child or even having the amount of time you can see your child decided by someone else can cause a lot of stress and strain all the way around because…
The subject of estate planning tends to bring on the desire to take a long nap if you’re under a certain age. It’s typically a subject for those who have been around the block a time or two, but with coronavirus invading our daily lives, understanding estate planning basics is something we should all become comfortable with. Everyone should have…
Child support, in general, is never easy. All those guidelines and what-if’s and legal battles are exhausting and complicated, and probably the last thing you need. Although the guidelines for child support are mostly formulaic, there are certain situations and exceptions of which you should be aware. What are the normal child support guidelines? Tennessee typically handles child support like…
In May 2018, Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill into law which finally brings an end to child marriage in Tennessee. No longer can minors under the age of 17 get married thanks to this new law. The new law is in place thanks to the efforts of a nonprofit organization called Unchained at Last, an advocacy organization with the…
Divorces, like weddings, are not all about the one “big day” when everything changes; rather, they take a lot of small but important decisions and moves in order to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and to make sure you and your children are protected. As a divorce attorney in Maryville, I help folks with more than just the paperwork, the…
As of July 1, 2015, there is a new Tennessee divorce law that now requires Tennessee government pensions to be divided in two. Another new law requires account balances, accrued benefits, pensions, stock options and other fringe benefits and their appreciated value that were acquired prior to marriage be treated as separate property for the purposes of property division. State…
After all these years of practicing family law in Tennessee, I can say that I’ve heard a lot of similar questions. But there are a few questions that clients don’t always think to ask that I wish they would have, because it could have saved them a lot of heartache and aggravation. So rather than give you answers to questions…