Family Law
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support Wage Garnishment in Tennessee
When a child support order is issued in Tennessee, it includes the option to garnish the wages of the obligor (the party paying child support) if payments are in arrears. The following are a few common questions about wage garnishment for child support payments in Tennessee. Q: What is wage garnishment? A: Wage garnishment is…
Read MoreWhat is the “Zero to Three” Initiative?
Effective January 1, Tennessee added five new courts to the Zero to Three initiative approved by the state Senate in 2017. The goal of Zero to Three, a nationwide endeavor, is to reduce the time children 36 months and younger spend in at-risk environments by providing their families with support services. The ultimate aim is…
Read MoreDo Unmarried Couples Have Property Inheritance Rights?
Living together without being married has almost completely lost the social stigma that used to be attached to such an arrangement. Romantic partners often live together for years, and even decades, without any legal commitment to one another while they conduct their lives as if they were a married couple. There seems to be a…
Read MoreThis Old House: Life on the National Register of Historic Places
Of all the questions our clients ask in our office, there are two that we love to answer most. The first answer is “Yes, you can pet Stella;” the second answer is “Well, this building has a pretty interesting history.” When you operate out of a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places,…
Read MoreHow to Divide Your Business During a Tennessee Divorce
With the exception of deciding on a parenting structure for families that have children, the most difficult part of any divorce proceeding is often the division of assets. This time can be painful and complicated, and even further still if you have business assets that need dividing. In the Nashville area, there are many family…
Read MoreWhat Impact Does Domestic Violence Have on a Child Custody Dispute in Tennessee?
You take your responsibility as a parent seriously. When domestic abuse became an issue in your marriage, you took the brave step of leaving your spouse to create a new life for your children, and filing for divorce. But what happens in cases where one parent has a violent history of domestic assault, blatantly violating…
Read MoreWhat Rights Do Grandparents Have in Tennessee?
Many people have favorable memories of time spent with their grandparents during their formative years. Grandparents have a vital role to play in families, and when parents pass away, grandparents who are able and willing can be a viable option for taking care of the child. In some cultures, grandparents have been the ones to…
Read MoreHow the Parental Bill of Rights Applies When it Comes Time to Create a Parenting Plan
For parents who have “survived” the divorce and who are doing their best to make their new relationship as co-parents work, understanding their custody rights can help alleviate a lot of confusion and frustration. For single parents who have never been married to their child’s other parent, it can be helpful to know what your…
Read MoreThe Expansion of New York’s Legal Definition of Parenthood Grants Custody Rights to Non-biological Parents
In August, we shared the heart breaking story of Erica Witt, a Tennessee woman who had been legally married to another woman, but her parenting rights were denied by a Knox County judge because she did not share any biological ties with the child that she and her former spouse had raised together. In that…
Read MoreGuardianship of a Child upon the Death of Both Parents
It is probably true that most of us take our lives for granted, and although we know that we should, we do not always make plans for what will happen when we pass away. Parents especially have an obligation to do this because they are responsible for the care and upbringing of their children. Some…
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