What Are the Safest Places To Live in Tennessee?
Tennessee is home to more than 340 incorporated municipalities across 95 counties, each with its own crime profile. Crime rates in Tennessee vary from one community to the next and can play an important role in overall safety. By learning more about the safest places to live in Tennessee, including exploring crime-rate data, you might…
Read MoreSame-Sex Divorce in Tennessee: Legal Considerations & Custody Issues
The rules for same-sex divorce in Tennessee are the same as those that apply to any other divorce. However, same-sex couples may encounter unique considerations to keep in mind when it comes to property division, parental rights, and custody arrangements. Understanding how these issues may affect you – and speaking with a Tennessee divorce attorney…
Read MoreAdoption Law in Tennessee: Step‑by‑Step Guide for Single Parents
If you would like to adopt a child in Tennessee, there are specific legal steps you must follow. Understanding these steps can bring you significantly closer to successfully completing the adoption process. But how does adoption work for single parents? This guide walks you through the key steps of Tennessee’s adoption process for single parents…
Read MoreHow Do Pardons Work?
What is a pardon? A pardon is a government decision that exempts someone from being punished for a crime. While the President (federal) or governor (state) has the right to pardon someone, the decision to pardon rests solely in the executive’s discretion. Once the decision is made to pardon someone or not, it is final…
Read MoreCategories of Criminal Defenses
Being charged with a crime doesn’t automatically mean you’re guilty. The law provides the right to defend yourself. Knowing how to do so can make a world of difference. Criminal defenses are sorted into three main types: justification, excuse, and procedural. Each category encompasses a range of defenses that can be used in different situations…
Read MoreObtaining Emergency Temporary Custody of Your Children in Tennessee
When your child’s safety is at risk, the last thing you want is to be stuck in legal limbo. Emergency custody exists for those moments when waiting even a few days could mean serious harm. Tennessee law gives you a legal fast-track to protect your child quickly, quietly, and legally. Emergency child custody is not…
Read MoreCan I Be Arrested for DUI After Passing a Field Sobriety Test?
You aced the walk, touched your nose, and followed the pen with your eyes. The officer seemed neutral, maybe even impressed, but then came the cuffs. If you passed the field sobriety, why were you still arrested for DUI? The answer lies in how DUI investigations work. Field sobriety tests are one tool in an…
Read MoreWhat is the Difference Between Physical and Legal Custody?
Understanding how Tennessee courts handle custody decisions, especially the difference between physical and legal child custody, can empower you to protect your parental rights and your child’s well-being. When a relationship ends and children are involved, the logistics of parenting don’t disappear; they become more complicated. Who gets the kids on the weekends? Who makes…
Read MoreSearch Warrants in Tennessee: Everything You Need to Know
You’re probably aware that search warrants are required for police to search your home, but do you really know your rights? In Tennessee, the rules around search warrants and search-and-seizure law are pretty strict. Understanding them can make a huge difference if law enforcement comes knocking, or worse, bursts through your door. Here’s what you…
Read MoreTennessee Self-Defense Laws: How Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground Laws Actually Work
You’ve probably heard about the Tennessee Castle Doctrine and “Stand Your Ground,” but do you really know how Tennessee law applies when you’re forced to defend yourself? In short, yes, you can use force to protect yourself or your loved ones, but only under specific conditions. Let’s explore Tennessee’s self-defense laws, walk through recent updates,…
Read MoreCan Police Search Your Car without a Warrant in Tennessee?
You’re pulled over. Maybe it’s just a broken taillight, but suddenly the officer asks, “Mind if I search your car?” Legally, this moment is very important: in Tennessee, police can search your vehicle without a warrant, but only in specific, narrow circumstances. Let’s break down when they can search, when you can refuse, and how…
Read MoreDo Different Alcoholic Drinks Affect You Differently?
Many people think that different drinks affect intoxication levels and emotions differently. They’re certain that beer makes them feel differently from wine, and that wine shouldn’t affect them the same way bourbon does. The starting point for this question is that generally there is no difference in the amount of ethanol in standard drinks, which…
Read MoreHow to Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
Many divorces are not mutual decisions. Often, one spouse has been thinking about a divorce for a long time, while the other spouse is taken by surprise when the issue of divorce is raised. There is no easy way to tell your husband or wife that you want a divorce. Our Tennessee divorce lawyer has…
Read MoreHow to Leave a Toxic Marriage When You Have Children
Many parents struggle with the decision of whether to stay married if they have children when the love in the marriage is clearly gone. By staying in a toxic marriage, parents can create an especially difficult situation for the children who are witnessing and potentially normalizing abusive behaviors. What is a toxic marriage? Marriages end…
Read MoreHow to Move Forward After a Divorce
Once you announce that you intend to file for a divorce, you need to protect yourself and your future. Legally, protection means ensuring that your property is equitably divided, that you receive the financial income you need for yourself and your children, that custody and parenting plans are established, and that all your other financial…
Read MoreHow Serious are Property Crimes in Tennessee?
Property crimes are more serious than many people realize, and Tennessee courts take them very seriously. A wide range of offenses qualify as property crimes, including trespassing, theft, embezzlement, robbery, burglary, vandalism, arson, and carjacking. All property crimes share a common element: the intentional and unauthorized taking, use, or destruction of someone else’s property. Below…
Read MoreHow Do I Get Confiscated Property Back From Police After an Arrest?
Having your property confiscated after an arrest can be a confusing and frustrating experience. So do you have any remedy when the police take your belongings? There is more than one answer to that question because there is more than one scenario you might face. The answer to this question depends on why they took…
Read MoreWhat is the Cost of a Divorce in Tennessee?
The cost of divorce generally depends on a few factors – the lawyer’s hourly rate, the issues that need to be resolved, the finances of the spouses, how contentious or amicable the disputes are, and the alternatives to divorce. A more in-depth analysis of these issues follows. At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler…
Read MoreDivorce and Children With Disabilities
If your child has a disability (physical, cognitive, or emotional), then many divorce issues require unique considerations to ensure your child lives the best life possible. All aspects of the divorce can be affected, including child custody, parenting plans, child support, and the division of the marital assets. Additionally, your child may need additional medical…
Read MoreIgnition Interlock Device (IID) Laws in Tennessee
There are times when a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Tennessee prompts the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car. If you have been charged with a DUI, seek legal help. By partnering with a Franklin DUI lawyer, they could help you avoid a driving under the influence conviction. There…
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