Should I Record My Children or Spouse for Evidence?
Monday, July 6th, 2020
Maybe you know your spouse is lying. Maybe your kids want to live with you and just don’t want to tell the other parent. Maybe your partner is verbally abusive when no one is listening. Maybe your spouse has admitted something that will help you in court. You have your phone in your pocket, ready to […]
Read More »What Are Safe Haven Laws?
Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
Safe Haven laws were enacted to prevent the abandonment of newborn babies and provide a safe and legal option for those too afraid to tell anyone of their pregnancy. The Tennessee Safe Haven Law was enacted in July 2001 in response to a tragedy in Townsend, Tennessee. In October 2000, a 14 year old girl hid […]
Read More »Adoption Resources: The First Steps to a Bigger Family
Wednesday, June 24th, 2020
Beginning the adoption process often feels overwhelming. Finding out where to start is a good first step. Luckily, there are a variety of adoption resources available to prospective adoptive families. Below, we have outlined some of those resources for people looking to welcome a new addition to their family. Tennessee State Adoption Assistance Program ⇨ […]
Read More »Adult Adoption: Formalizing a Family
Friday, June 19th, 2020
When people think of adoptions, they most think of the process of adopting a child. However, adults can be adopted. Adult adoption involving an individual over the age of 18 occurs primarily for 2 reasons: to formalize an existing parental relationship, or for inheritance purposes. Many people are not raised by their biological parents. However, […]
Read More »Kinship Adoption and Custody Placement
Monday, June 15th, 2020
If you are worried that your minor child relative is not in a safe home, you may be considering becoming a guardian or even adopting the child. This issue arises when a child is being abused or neglected by the parents or caregivers. This can also include instances in which the parents or caregivers are engaging […]
Read More »The Adoption Process in Tennessee
Thursday, June 11th, 2020
The adoption process in Tennessee is lengthy but worth it. The steps include terminating biological parental rights, determining eligibility, completing a home study, and formalizing the adoption. Terminating Rights To adopt a child in Tennessee, the parental rights of the biological parents of the child must be terminated. The state may terminate parental rights when […]
Read More »Service by Publication: What if I Can’t Find My Spouse?
Friday, June 5th, 2020
People sometimes leave their spouses for reasons that lead to separating for a long period of time before filing for divorce. During that time, you may not have any contact with your spouse. This is often the case if that spouse was abusive, an addict, or in jail. The good news is that, in a […]
Read More »Let’s Talk About Police Brutality in Knoxville
Monday, June 1st, 2020
Sometimes, it seems like things never change. The latest riots, the death of a black man during an encounter with a white police officer. I’ve been watching this same television clip my entire career. Police brutality has happened right here in Knoxville. A History of Force In the late 1990’s, a black man named Andre […]
Read More »Rule 53 and the Rise of Collaborative Law
Wednesday, May 27th, 2020
People who come to our office looking to start the divorce process are often surprised to learn that there are alternatives to litigating in court. For clients who can maintain a good working relationship with their spouse and have no history of domestic violence in their current marriage, one of those alternatives could be collaborative […]
Read More »What Factors are Considered in a High Asset Divorce?
Friday, May 22nd, 2020
Going through a high asset divorce seems daunting. If you and your spouse have acquired substantial assets during your marriage, you may be concerned about the impact of a divorce on those assets. Tennessee statutes require that the court divide your assets equitably if you cannot reach an agreement outside of court through mediation or negotiation. The statutes list […]
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