In many ways, parents had a tougher job in many ways throughout the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with many families experiencing increased financial pressures, parents also have to make difficult decisions about handling their child’s schooling. Many states and local school districts are allowing students to return in person full-time. However, others are [...]
Numerous people who have yet to be found guilty of any crime are held in jails across the United States because they are unable to post bail. This factor in our legal system imposes significant costs on not only taxpayers and communities, but those persons who are detained and their families. The system often promotes [...]
If you have reached the point in your marriage that the option of divorce is becoming a real possibility, there are two options you have available in the state of Tennessee: divorce or legal separation. Some couples in this position prefer to enter legal separation instead of pursuing a divorce, although the majority up for [...]
When restaurants were compelled to close their establishments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of states (including Tennessee) and cities change the rules to permit businesses to sell alcoholic beverages to-go or for delivery. This was done in order to help many restaurants continue to make money in the hopes of survival. [...]
As a stepparent, do you have a strong desire to “make it official,” and formally adopt your stepchildren? There are a number of reasons why a stepparent may want to make the transition to official parenthood. These include: The emotional benefits it provides for the family Enabling the child to take on the last name [...]
Going through a divorce is difficult enough when your spouse is “normal.” (Well, normal for someone you no longer want to spend the rest of your life with.) Divorcing a narcissist is tougher because spouses who put themselves first are much more likely to litigate contested issues instead of trying to resolve them. Narcissistic spouses [...]
The consequences for a DUI conviction are severe. Even first-time offenders could spend time in jail, pay large fines, and have their licenses suspended. In some cases, offenders may be required to install and use an interlock ignition device (IID) on their vehicle when their driver’s license is restored. The charges for an IID include [...]
While it’s never romantic to think about the possibility of divorce while a marriage is thriving, there are many practical considerations that force spouses to think about post-nuptial agreements. For starters, before couples get married, they may not have much to discuss in terms of dividing their property. During marriages, couples have children and accumulate [...]
The COVID-19 crisis is forcing spouses, couples, and men and women to stay together for long periods of time. Tennessee like other states ordered that people stay at home during the early stages of the pandemic except for workers performing essential services. The confinement has created its own unintended consequences – an increase in domestic [...]
After World War II, the number of births around the globe increased significantly. This was the “baby boom,” and it wasn’t the only one – at least, not if the anecdotes are true. Different parts of the country have experienced smaller “booms” after disasters like hurricanes, tropical storms, and blackouts. Coronavirus isn’t likely to lead [...]
Being accused of domestic violence is a serious issue. The police do not take allegations of lightly. If you find yourself being booked into a local police station for charges of domestic assault, it’s important to understand your rights. As with any type of crime, you should consult a Franklin criminal defense attorney before sharing [...]
The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted Tennessee immensely, including the criminal justice system. The Tennessee Supreme Court has issued multiple orders suspending in-person hearings, resuming those hearings with restrictions, and preventing members of the public from attending court cases. These orders have been extended multiple times as the pandemic continues into another month. If you need [...]
The Coronavirus pandemic has forced all of us to adapt in new ways. The criminal justice system is also feeling the effects of these changes. We wanted to take a look at some of them today, so you know what to expect. Courts resuming in-person hearings with restrictions After the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended all [...]
Many people love riding their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). They offer a super fun way to enjoy recreation, especially during the warm months of the year. These vehicles are not permitted to share the same space with cars, SUVs, and trucks on regular roads and highways. However, you do need a driver’s license just as any [...]
No couple goes into a marriage anticipating one day they will get divorced. Sometimes, though, relationships falter, and you need to start making decisions about how to live apart. One of these decisions involves whether to separate or go through with a complete divorce. If both spouses are not comfortable with the idea of divorcing [...]
A lawmaker in East Tennessee wants to deliver financial assistance to grandparents and other relatives who find themselves in the unexpected position of having to raise children of parents who are addicted to opioids. Last year, Sen. Richard Briggs introduced SB0011 and is attempting to push it through the state legislature this year using unspent [...]
A bill recently introduced by Republican state representative Michael Curcio in the Tennessee legislature is intended to reform the state’s current drug-free school zone laws. The bill would significantly reduce the sizes of these zones. Currently, the zones cover an area encompassing 1,000 foot within any school, daycare, library, or park. Curcio’s bill would cut [...]
In the state of Tennessee, child endangerment encompasses various types of offenses, including driving under the influence (DUI) while transporting a passenger below the age of 18 in a vehicle. Serious penalties and consequences are possible when a DUI is involved with child endangerment even if the child was not injured or killed during the [...]
When it comes to property division after a divorce, the question often arises as to what portion of the divorced couple’s retirement accounts is each spouse entitled to receive. These retirement accounts can consist of a number of financial instruments such as employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts (401(k)s or 403(b)s, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) or defined [...]
Although self-defense laws across the country allow individuals to defend themselves from harm, these laws generally do not permit individuals to commit violence in just any given situation, and simply claim self-defense. Understanding the basics of self-defense law in Tennessee are important, both to understand how to properly use self-defense and avoid criminal charges when [...]
