Tax Changes and Divorce Planning
Saturday, November 10th, 2018
We’re entering a “new era” of divorce planning because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Rose Swanger, CFP®, RICP®, CDFA®, EA explains, “for new divorces that are finalized after Dec. 31, 2018, all alimony payments will be treated like child support payments, which are not deductible. Before, the alimony payor could deduct the amount of their alimony […]
Read More »What is a Primary Residential Parent?
Friday, September 28th, 2018
What does being named the “Primary Residential Parent” really mean? In every divorce and custody case, the Court is required to enter a Permanent Parenting Plan, which spells out the schedule for the time the children will be with each parent, how parenting decisions will be made, and how the children will be supported financially. […]
Read More »Positively Putative: Fathers and Adoption
Friday, September 28th, 2018
Adopting a child, as rewarding as it can be in the end, can also be fraught with frustration and confusion throughout the enduring process. One cause of this is the over forty applicable legal rules that can make crafting an adoption petition a meticulous task, yet one often overlooked rule regarding putative fathers can derail […]
Read More »Approved Parenting Classes in Knox County
Thursday, July 26th, 2018
Every divorce in TN comes with mandatory parenting classes that have to be completed by both parties. Since many are new to the divorce process, they aren’t sure where to start when they need to schedule classes. Hopefully the following information will help! Below is a list of approved parenting classes for Knox County. Dove […]
Read More »What to Expect When DCS Gets Involved
Thursday, July 26th, 2018
However the Department of Child Services (DCS) gets involved–whether through a dirty trick pulled by your ex, or a call from a third party–the ramifications for you spending time with your child are severe. Here are some things you can expect: 1. You will be interviewed by a DCS worker, probably at your home. In […]
Read More »Stepparent Rights
Thursday, June 21st, 2018
The role of a stepparent is not legally the same as that of a biological parent, but it is undisputed that stepparents often play an integral role in providing a loving and nurturing environment for their stepchildren. Stepparents develop strong bonds with their step-children, and unfortunately, few people truly see just how important some stepparents […]
Read More »Same Sex Divorce Cases
Thursday, April 19th, 2018
The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently ruled on a Knox County same sex divorce case. In the first such ruling in the state, Knox County 4th Circuit Court granted a female the legal rights of a husband/father of the same sex couple’s daughter, who was conceived through artificial insemination. Erica and Sabrina Witt were one […]
Read More »Is My Child’s Other Parent Unfit for Custody?
Wednesday, April 4th, 2018
Generally, Courts are required to “maximize the participation of both parents in the lives of their children consistent with the children’s best interest.” For more on that subject, check out our article located here. This is small comfort when the other person has abused your child, is on drugs, or simply has never taken on […]
Read More »Are Men’s Rights Really at Risk in a Divorce?
Monday, March 12th, 2018
Recently, men are being targeted by sophisticated marketing campaigns, “alerting” you to a supposed disadvantage you will suffer in a family law court, scaring you with the notion of a judge who “always favors the woman” and who will take your children and your money away from you. These firms promise that if you only […]
Read More »Mental Health and Child Custody
Monday, January 22nd, 2018
The issues of mental health and child custody come up often. An independent medical (or mental health) evaluation is a report, prepared by a PhD Psychologist with special training in a field called “forensic psychology” that examines the relative psychological strengths and weaknesses of both parents, and compares it to the psychological needs and strengths […]
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