How to Prepare for Divorce Before Hiring a Lawyer
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020
Most people take a long time before they finally decide to make the call to a divorce lawyer. Contemplating taking that first step in what is reputed to be a long, expensive and painful process can be overwhelming. We get that. So, here’s a list of things you can do to prepare for divorce before you […]
Read More »Terminating Parental Rights in Tennessee
Friday, August 21st, 2020
The first stage in any adoption proceeding is terminating parental rights of the biological parents. Unless you are pursuing a stepparent adoption, you must terminate both biological parents’ rights. A court will only terminate a parent’s rights if the petitioner can prove at least one of the legal grounds to terminate. The petitioner must also […]
Read More »An Open Letter to Mental Health Professionals
Wednesday, July 15th, 2020
Dear Mental Health Professionals: I am a family lawyer. For the last 25 years, I have represented families in crisis. I have read reports, deposed and examined psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers and mental health professionals more times than I can count. The questions I get the most from folks in your field are, […]
Read More »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 »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 »Establishing Paternity: The Basics
Wednesday, May 13th, 2020
When two people have a child out of wedlock, the father does not automatically have rights to the child. This is true even if the father’s name is on the child’s birth certificate. In Tennessee, a father can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity at the hospital when the child is born. This effectively gives […]
Read More »Custody Arrangements: What is 2-2-3?
Friday, May 1st, 2020
There are many different possible custody arrangements. Which arrangement you settle on is dependent on the best interest of the child. When it comes to 50/50 custody, deciding how to split that time can be a painstaking process. One of the most common arrangements is “2-2-3.” In a 2-2-3 setting, one parent has the same […]
Read More »VIDEO: COVID-19 and Parenting Plans
Tuesday, April 21st, 2020
https://youtu.be/GaFWpWq_EXA&w=480&h=320
Read More »Visitation and Custody During the Pandemic
Friday, April 17th, 2020
Visitation and custody during the pandemic is complex and uncharted territory. At Held Law Firm, we are flooded with calls from clients worried about their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number one question we hear relates to whether Governor Lee’s Executive Order allows certain activities for children. The second concern is that the other parent is not […]
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