How Does the Adoption Process Work in Tennessee?
Adopting a child is one of the sweet joys of life. Unlike most court actions, adoptions are usually not contested although there are some exceptions. Adoptions bring a needy child into the loving arms of a caring couple or person. Tennessee does have numerous requirements which an experienced adoption lawyer can explain. Tennessee adoption law…
Read MoreEmotional and Verbal Abuse Can Ruin a Marriage as Much as Physical Abuse Can
According to an article in Psychology Today, about three million domestic violence cases are reported each year. What’s not often reported is how emotional abuse is often horrible in itself and how emotional abuse is often a strong indicator that physical abuse will follow. Emotional abuse can be hard to recognize for several reasons. Often,…
Read MoreReasons DUI Criminal Charges May Be Dismissed Before Trial
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can be dismissed before the actual trial begins. Sometimes, the prosecution may dismiss the case on their own because of known defects in their case. Usually, DUI cases are dismissed because of persuasive criminal defense lawyer arguments and motions. Defendants should regularly plead not guilty to DUI charges because…
Read MoreParental Relocation Rights and Duties in Tennessee
Often, after physical and legal custody rights have been established by a court order or a permanent parenting plan, one parent seeks to move. Sometimes the move is voluntary. Often, the parent moves because of the offer of a new or better job or due to educational opportunities. A parent may want to move if…
Read MoreNonstandard Field Sobriety Tests
Any driver who is stopped on suspicion of driving while intoxicated will likely be asked by the police officer to submit to field sobriety tests. If the driver fails the field tests, the officer will then usually ask the driver to submit to chemical breath or blood tests. There are three standardized tests that officers…
Read MoreNew Changes to the Criminal Asset Forfeiture Process in Tennessee
Criminal asset seizure is a law enforcement tool that allows the government to take the property that is owned by those accused of committing crimes. Criminal asset seizure or forfeiture is usually conducted related to the possession of narcotics. Law enforcement can seize money, vehicles, home or other property related to the commission of a…
Read MoreTennessee Can’t Revoke Someone’s Driver’s License for Unpaid Court Costs
The Tennessean reported on July 3, 2018, that federal judge Aleta Trauger ruled that it was unconstitutional for Tennessee to revoke a driver’s license just because he/she couldn’t afford to pay the court costs. The decision, according to a lawyer for the National Center for Law and Economic Justice in New York City, could have…
Read MoreThe Penalties for a Fake Driver’s License
When a person has been convicted of a DUI and their license has been suspended for one year, it can cause a lot of chaos in their life. Depending on the nature of the incident, they may be able to obtain a restricted license, but a restricted license does not allow a person to go…
Read MoreAre You Certain That You Want Sole Custody?
Custody battles can bring out the worst character traits in people who are supposed to be fighting for the best interests of the child. Sometimes, parents get so caught up in their desire to win that they lose sight of the facts of what “winning” a custody battle really means. Are you sure that you…
Read MoreCategories of Offenses You May be Charged with at the Bonnaroo Festival
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will take place June 7-10 in Manchester, Tennessee. The four-day musical festival attracts local residents and visitors from across the country. The music normally starts around noon and can last until the early morning hours. A broad variety of music styles can be heard including bluegrass, rock, jazz, gospel,…
Read MoreThe Danger of Being Married by a Mail-Ordered Ministry in Tennessee
With the rise of the Internet, many people and organizations saw creating an online ministry ordination business as a way to make money and help people get married. USA Today reported a story about an easy way to terminate a marriage – show that the marriage was never valid in the first place. The story…
Read MoreTennessee’s Laws Regarding Breathalyzer and Blood Tests
The implied consent law for Tennessee was amended in 2017 in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Birchfield v. North Dakota. That case found that breathalyzer tests could be given incident to an arrest – without a warrant. The Supreme Court also agreed that the refusal to take a breath test could result in…
Read More“Bird Nesting” Child Custody in Tennessee
One of the most important and difficult issues that come up during a divorce is child custody. Divorcing parents must decide the terms for custody, whether it will be joint or sole custody, a schedule for parenting time, and they need to do it in a way that disrupts their children’s lives as little as…
Read MoreWhat Not to Do at Bonnaroo if You Want to Avoid Getting Arrested
As we prepare for another season of Bonnaroo, which will kick off on June 7th through the 10th on “The Farm” in Manchester, Tennessee, we want to share some useful (we hope) tips for Bonnoroovians to help make their festival experience as memorable (in a good way) and fun as they hoped it would be.…
Read MoreDo Personal Breathalyzers Prevent or Promote Drinking and Driving?
If you get pulled over by law enforcement on suspicion of drunk driving, the law enforcement officer might have you blow into a breathalyzer to see if it detects alcohol in your system. But what if you could know before you start the car, when you are ready to leave the bar or a house…
Read MoreWhat are Some of the Most Common Criminal Charges at Bonnaroo?
The hardcore among you already know and are already preparing for the 2018 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The 2018 lineup was just announced and as usual, does not disappoint. With Eminem, Future, the Killers, Muse Bassnectar, Khalid, Bon Iver and so many more set to perform this summer, the 17th annual edition of the…
Read MoreVirtual Visitation: How Technology Helps Divorced Parents Stay Close to Their Kids
One of the most difficult and emotionally fraught parts of a divorce is the issue of child custody. Working through the details of custody, visitation, and parenting plans can be some of the most frustrating and intense parts of your divorce agreement. However, it is important to remember that everything is for the benefit of…
Read MoreTennessee Has the 10th Highest Divorce Rate in the Nation
“Until death do us part” is a lovely sentiment, but in today’s world, not a realistic one. More people are getting divorced than they did several decades ago, for myriad reasons—we are living longer, more women are financially independent, and divorce is no longer as taboo as it once was. It is likely you knew…
Read MoreUnderstanding Father’s Rights in Your Tennessee Divorce
Fathers may feel guilty when seeking a divorce in Tennessee if they have children they want to remain actively involved with raising. It’s important to understand your rights as a father in your divorce, especially because a marital split does not in any way mean you are foregoing your paternity rights. If you want to…
Read MoreMaking Sense of Tennessee’s DMV Point System
Some states, including Tennessee, have instituted a points system for motorists. If you hold a state driver’s license from Tennessee, you are subject to this system. Points are awarded to you as demerits of a sort if you commit a driving or traffic infraction. These points are associated with your driver’s license number, so if…
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