State representatives in Tennessee have introduced a bipartisan bill that make joint custody, or shared parenting, the presumption in custody disputes. In Tennessee, when spouses divorce, decisions need to be made about which parents will have legal and physical custody of the children. Legal custody decides who will make decisions about the child’s health, education, [...]
The ability to obtain divorce records varies depending on the year you were divorced. Most recent divorce records from 1949 through 2019 can be accessed at the following office: Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records 1st Floor, Central Services Building 421 5th Avenue, North Nashville, TN 37243 The records are kept in a [...]
Music festivals and promoters are beginning to take sexual assault safeguards more seriously. Do LaB, a music promoter in LA, is holding training classes on sexual harassment for fans and staff at music festivals. They also provide a medical team “specifically trained to fight sexual harassment as well as counselors available for any victims.” The [...]
In deciding how to assign legal and physical custody, judges always focus on what is in the best interests of the child. Generally, courts like to have parents share legal custody unless there are strong reasons why only parent shouldn’t have any legal custody. One parent is usually granted (primary) residential custody, and the other [...]
In a unanimous Supreme Court opinion, the nine Justices ruled in February 2019 that the US Constitution’s Eighth Amendment ban on excessive fines applied to the 50 states. The case before the Court was on appeal from the Indiana Supreme Court which has ruled that the government could seize a defendant’s $40,000 Land Rover even [...]
Separations are a middle ground for most Tennessee couples. This means the spouses do recognize that that marital relationship isn’t working, but they aren’t ready to terminate the marriage. Separations generally require that the spouses live apart. Tennessee may resolve some issues such as child custody and child support at the time of the legal [...]
The Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee is a wonderful experience for thousands and thousands of music lovers each June. The festival draws people from across the county. While many attendees love the performances, there are hundreds of people each year who are charged with crossing the line. These few hundred people are charged with selling [...]
Divorces are traumatic experiences for most people. If there are children of the marriage, divorces are even more stressful. There are normally many issues that must be resolved in addition to the divorce. These extra issues include property division and alimony. For kids, child custody and child support issues must be resolved. One of the [...]
Failing a breathalyzer test has severe consequences. For starters, you will likely be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. A conviction for a DUI can mean imprisonment and substantial fines and court costs. Your license may be suspended. You will have a conviction on your record which can make it hard to get [...]
Have you ever been in such a relationship where you want to end things as quickly as possible? With today’s technology it is easy to break things off with your significant other if you aren’t married. You can send out an email, shoot them a text, or even simply leave a voicemail for them to [...]
As you know, Bonnaroo is a popular music festival. It’s also a “popular” place for local police to make a lot of arrests. But what happens if you’re arrested for one crime, but then charged with multiple crimes. Can the cops even do that? Yes, they can. It happens more often than you think. More [...]
Going out for a night on the town can end badly for you and your friends if you’ve had too much to drink. But what if you haven’t had “too much” to drink? Is it possible to get a DUI if you are under the legal limit? The short answer is, yes – you can [...]
In all our years of helping clients and families, we’ve lost track of the number of people who have told us they wished they could have “stuck it out, for the sake of the children.” The truth is, yes – divorce can cause problems for your children, but in many cases, a bad marriage can [...]
Festivals like Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music Festival are a wonderful time for people of all age. They help to bring communities together, to listen to old favorites and to new performers across a wide spectrum of music styles. While these festivals can be a lot of fun, those in attendance should be aware that crimes do [...]
Parents are the natural (and legal) guardians of their children. This means they can decide the daily living issues for their children and the long-term issues. This includes making decisions about their health, well-being, religious upbringing, financial matters, and other issues. Sometimes, though, a parent is unable to function as a guardian. When one parent [...]
Any arrest is frightening. The police immediately take control of your life. It helps if you understand the process so that you know what to expect and so that you can make reasonable decisions. After you’re arrested or placed in custody, the arresting police officer has a duty to warn you of your Miranda rights. [...]
Many states in America have unusual marriage laws that are still on the books. While many of these laws aren’t enforced, there’s always the possibility they could be. As people move in and out of Tennessee, it’s helpful (and OK – it’s fun, too) to know what some of these odd laws are. Some of [...]
Police need a reasonable suspicion that someone is driving while intoxicated before they can stop and question them. Examples of reasonable suspicion include a driver who isn’t following traffic laws, is weaving in and out of traffic, or who has an open bottle of beer in their car. Tennessee, like most states, allows for an [...]
Guardianship is a legal arrangment in which a responsible authorized adult agrees to care for someone who can’t care for him or herself. Guardians are usually used for children who don’t have parents or don’t have capable parents, and for some adult children with special needs. Seniors may also need a guardian. When children need [...]
Tennessee has adopted the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) which sets the minimum standards sex offender must meet for registration and notification. For most convicted sex offenders, the requirement to register as a sex offender is horrific. The registration can be searched by the public. Registration brands defendants, often for life. Registration [...]
