How can a criminal conviction affect my family?
Thursday, August 10th, 2017
The effect of a criminal conviction is often greater than the length of a jail sentence or the amount of a fine. A multitude of federal, state, and local laws create situations for a person which can have an impact on that person’s life, and even on the lives of family members far beyond any […]
Read More »Should I tell my attorney I’m guilty?
Thursday, August 10th, 2017
As a criminal defense practitioner for lo these many years, I’ve had some clients admit all guilt, some admit a portion of guilt, and some refuse to admit any guilt. When someone asks, “Should I tell my attorney I’m guilty?” there are several things to consider. From a purely legal ethics perspective, the simple answer […]
Read More »Calculating Child Support: What is considered income?
Friday, July 14th, 2017
If you share a child with a person you are no longer married to, or were never married to, chances are you have heard of Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. In Tennessee, a person’s child support obligation is calculated pursuant to a child support worksheet which is governed by these Guidelines. A child support calculation is […]
Read More »Why do I need a criminal defense attorney?
Friday, July 14th, 2017
Criminal law is an exclusive part of the overall law of the land. It addresses a wide range of conduct, all the way from throwing litter onto a city street or speeding down the Interstate, to the distribution of illegal drugs, the robbery of a bank, or premeditated murder. Criminal law also specifies the rules […]
Read More »Co-Parenting in the Summer
Friday, July 14th, 2017
Divorce is stressful, and handling a summer co-parenting plan often makes it even more difficult. Your children have two parents, and avoiding conflict with the other parent is essential for the emotional well-being of your kids. Remember, summertime is meant to be fun, and we should try to keep it that way, even in the […]
Read More »What is Estate Planning (Besides a Will)?
Friday, July 14th, 2017
Many people think that a Last Will and Testament is all that is needed to take care of your estate. However, estate planning involves more than just the disposition of your property upon your death. Estate planning encompasses other contingencies as well. For instance, what if you are incapacitated, due to illness or injury, and […]
Read More »What is probable cause to search a car?
Thursday, July 6th, 2017
During a traffic stop, your car can be searched without a warrant if there is “probable cause” to connect your car to a crime. But, what is probable cause to search a car? Probable cause is a pretty low level of proof, and in the context of a traffic stop it merely means that the […]
Read More »Can the police search my car?
Thursday, July 6th, 2017
As a criminal defense attorney, clients often tell me about experiences they have dealing with law enforcement, followed by this question: “Can the police do that?” For example, “Can the police search my car?” As a rule, the police can only search you or your property if they have a warrant, but there are some […]
Read More »What Sets Held Law Firm Apart
Wednesday, June 7th, 2017
Because I have always known I wanted to be a lawyer, I have spent my entire life working in different law firms. When I was 8 years old, buck-toothed and freckled, I made copies for one of those classic old-school lawyers. In high school, I was a copy clerk at a different firm. In college, I […]
Read More »16 Questions that Determine Your Alimony
Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
Getting divorced is one of the biggest financial adjustments for any family, and it is often the case that one spouse is going to have to pay the other spouse some amount of money, called alimony. To determine whether you are going to get any alimony, and if so, what type and how much, the […]
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