Source: http://www.lakewaylegal.com/practice-areas/family-law/
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 20:09:00+00:00

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Strong families are the bedrock of the American Dream. However, current circumstances are causing more and more families to experience unique transitions requiring the compassion and experience of an experienced Tennessee family law attorney to protect the rights of parents and relatives along with the best interests of affected children. Parental drug abuse, crime, and poverty have lead to thousands of children needing the stability of a trusted loved one until their parents can get back on their feet.
Though it is becoming increasingly rare, legal separation is often considered when a marital relationship is being legally concluded in Tennessee.
Some individuals and couples find that it is in their best interest to consider legal separation as an alternative to divorce. It is important to discuss this option with an experienced East Tennessee Divorce Attorney, however, as the determinations that the Court makes in a Legal Separation proceeding can have permanent consequences. Call (423) 254-5333 to learn more about the process and to help determine if this option is right for you.
As the title indicates, a Tennessee agreed divorce indicates that the spouses agree on all matters at issue, including grounds, property division, debt division, spousal support, and, if the spouses have minor children, residential parenting time schedules and child support (subject to Tennessee Child Support Guidelines).
The process to obtain an agreed divorce in Tennessee is outlined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-103, which states that “No divorce shall be granted on the ground of irreconcilable differences unless the court affirmatively finds in its decree that the parties have made adequate and sufficient provision by written agreement for the custody and maintenance of any children of that marriage and for the equitable settlement of any property rights between the parties.” These issues are typically dealt with through a properly-executed Marital Dissolution Agreement, and where applicable, an Agreed Permanent Parenting Plan. Additionally, a 60-day waiting period is required if there are no children and a 90-day waiting period is required if there are minor children involved. These requirements cannot be waived.
There are many providers soliciting Tennessee residents online claiming to offer “guaranteed divorce forms,” and there are also some publicly-available forms that are often inappropriate to use, given the circumstances of the spouses. Users of these forms routinely have difficulties in getting their cases finalized.
You should instead discuss your agreed divorce with an experienced Tennessee divorce attorney if you want your rights preserved and protected in the most efficient manner. This firm handles divorce cases throughout East Tennessee and can often begin work on agreed divorce cases over the telephone. Agreed matters generally only require initial payment of a modest flat fee.
To best protect your rights and your best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333 or toll-free at (888) 931-0731.
A Tennessee divorce action can be a harrowing experience for anyone involved. Many people think that divorce is easy because so many people file for or are sued for divorce. However, it is this sheer volume of divorces that creates a complex body of statutory law, case law, and procedural rules that can trap the unwary litigant.
There are many matters to be resolved in a typical Tennessee divorce action.
For a continuous period of two (2) or more years, both parties have lived in separate residences, have not cohabited as man and wife during such period, and there are no minor children of the parties.
Grounds must be proven in a contested divorce proceeding. This means time and effort must be put into the pre-trial phase of the case to determine the best and most efficient approach to take to convince the Court that the Petitioner is entitled to a divorce.
You should discuss these matters with an experienced Tennessee divorce attorney if you want your rights preserved and protected. An East Tennessee divorce attorney will review your case scenarios with you and discuss your options. This firm handles divorce cases throughout East Tennessee.
To best protect your rights and your best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
When you are going through a divorce, financial aspects are one of many things on your mind. However, and whenever possible, you shouldn’t let the emotional toll of divorce become any more of a financial burden than it already is.
The question of whether there is “marital property” and what is marital property comes up in every Tennessee divorce. Nothing is automatically deemed to be marital property or separate property. The same goes with marital debt.
Property acquired by a spouse after an order of legal separation where the court has made a final disposition of property.
Further, the existence of marital property and debt does not automatically add any value or benefit to one side’s case or the other, as liquidity and time concerns may affect the parties’ best interests.
(B) For purposes of this subdivision (c)(5), dissipation of assets means wasteful expenditures which reduce the marital property available for equitable distributions and which are made for a purpose contrary to the marriage either before or after a complaint for divorce or legal separation has been filed.
Financial issues in divorce can obviously become extremely complicated regardless of fault, length of marriage, or whether there are children or not.
Before heading to trial, the parties in a divorce are ordinarily required to address these issues in an approved mediation setting to determine what, if anything, can be resolved without the need for further court hearing. At the mediation level, proper representation and knowledge of the financial backgrounds and scenarios is imperative.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121(b)(1)(B)(ii) states that “’Marital property’ includes the value of vested and unvested pension benefits, vested and unvested stock option rights, retirement, and other fringe benefit rights accrued as a result of employment during the marriage. (However, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-4-121(b)(1)(B)(iii) states, “The account balance, accrued benefit, or other value of vested and unvested pension benefits, vested and unvested stock option rights, retirement, and other fringe benefits accrued as a result of employment prior to the marriage, together with the appreciation of the value, shall be ‘separate property.’”) It is thus obvious how complicated these determinations can be. And given that some individuals don’t even understand the full scope of their retirement options, it isn’t surprising that these assets can be difficult to address in a divorce.
Adding to the complication is the Internal Revenue Code, which requires that retirement plans take strict measures to ensure that the division of marital retirement benefits in a divorce is made in compliance with the laws that permit retirement plans to maintain their tax-qualified status.
In reality, obtaining a retirement plan administrator’s approval of a QDRO can be a tedious process and is best handled by experienced divorce counsel. Further, there are sometimes alternatives to complex retirement plan divisions available that will save the parties’ time and funds. An experienced Tennessee divorce attorney can help you understand these issues so that you can prevail financially.
This firm routinely deals with the financial issues resulting from divorce. Thus, in order to best protect your rights and your best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
Additionally, Tennessee law provides for multiple types of alimony, including Alimony in Futuro, Alimony in Solido, Transitional Alimony, and Rehabilitative Alimony. The different types of alimony in Tennessee are based on the needs and circumstances of the parties at the time of the divorce.
You should discuss these matters with an experienced Tennessee alimony attorney if you want your rights preserved and protected. An East Tennessee alimony attorney will review your case scenarios with you and discuss your options. This firm handles alimony cases throughout East Tennessee, so call (423) 254-5333 today.
There are certain circumstances that may warrant a party involved in an existing alimony award to seek modification. While not all types of alimony can be modified pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-121, an experienced Tennessee alimony attorney can help determine whether a current alimony award has been misclassified as a non-modifiable award or is otherwise subject to modification or termination based on remarriage or other third-party cohabitation of the recipient. Occasionally, negotiated agreements to modify alimony awards can be entered into between the former spouses.
Providing any financial security and support of the child in addition to child support obligations. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-402(2)).
Any other factors deemed relevant by the court. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106).
As of 1997, “the gender of the party seeking to be the primary residential parent shall not give rise to a presumption of parental fitness or cause a presumption in favor of or against such party.” (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-412).
The facts in each Permanent Parenting Plan case are unique, thus each case deserves an individualized approach. An experienced Tennessee Parenting Plan attorney can often find facts present in each case that a parent may overlook. Further, there are procedural rules and complexities that can be used to each parents’ advantage.
Aaron Chapman has successfully helped numerous parents establish or modify their Tennessee Permanent Parenting Plans. To best protect your children and their best interests, call (423) 254-5333 now.
Tennessee Parents sometimes find it necessary to seek to modify their Permanent Parenting Plans. Modification of Permanent Parenting Plans is not automatically allowable. However, should certain circumstances arise, the Court may enter a Modified Permanent Parenting Plan with substantial changes to visitation, support, or even primary residential parent status.
To succeed in modifying a Permanent Parenting Plan, a requesting parent must demonstrate that a material change in circumstance has occurred and that modification would generally be in the best interests of the child.
Child Support is a delicate field of family law that covers potentially every child in Tennessee, regardless of whether they are a child of divorced parents, never-married parents, separated parents, or whether they reside with a non-parent relative. Child support can even be enforced after a child turns 18.
Tennessee law gives the courts some discretion in determining income and expenses to be used in calculating child support, however, the majority of Tennessee child support calculations are determined with the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. The child support guidelines provide explicit detail for many, if not most child support scenarios encountered in Tennessee. Many individuals seeking child support do not limit their requests to what the guidelines allow.
Tennessee law gives the courts some discretion in determining income and expenses to be used in calculating child support, however, the majority of Tennessee child support calculations are determined with the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines. The child support guidelines provide explicit detail for many, if not most child support scenarios encountered in Tennessee. Many individuals seeking child support do not limit their requests to what the guidelines allow. Likewise, many persons defending against excessive child support actions do not avail themselves of the protection afforded by the guidelines. And contrary to popular belief, neither the courts nor any government agency in Tennessee automatically calculate child support.
It is important for a custodial parent or caretaker to seek to establish child support as early as possible, as there is no benefit to waiting to start a child support action (even if parents are recently separated or custody is temporary).
It is also important for owing parents to address child support problems before they get out of hand, as wage garnishments, tax return intercepts, and, of course, jail time cannot be undone. (All of these enforcement procedures are routinely used in obtaining back-due child support).
Thus, the most important call you will make will be to an experienced East Tennessee child support attorney. An experienced East Tennessee child support attorney can help save you thousands each year while protecting your children’s best interests. Our firm handles child support matters throughout East Tennessee. To best protect your children and your paycheck, call (423) 254-5333 today.
Tennessee child custody cases come in many forms and are brought by many different types of parties, not just parents. Usually, disputes are between divorcing or divorced parents, unwed parents, step-parents and parents, grandparents and parents, or other relatives. Sometimes the state will even become involved if there are allegations of abuse or neglect. Indian tribes even have the right to institute proceedings, in some instances.
You should discuss these matters with an experienced Tennessee child custody attorney if you want your rights preserved and protected. An East Tennessee child custody attorney will review your case scenarios with you and discuss your options. Our firm handles child custody cases throughout East Tennessee.
To best protect your children and their best interests, call our firm now at (423) 254-5333.
The relationship between grandparent and grandchild is typically a special, positive bond that enriches the lives of everyone involved. However, in certain situations, some Tennessee grandparents can unfortunately find the need to seek Court action to ensure their presence in their grandchildren’s lives.
On the flipside, some families may have well-found objections to such contact based on issues of abuse or other prior conduct.
Tennessee law affords for grandparents’ visitation rights in multiple scenarios. One main scenario, found in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-302, is the situation of a child that has been removed from the custody of the child’s parents and placed into foster care or a similar setting. In this situation, the Courts are permitted to establish reasonable visitation between grandparents and grandchildren where the “grandparents would adequately protect the child from further abuse or intimidation by the perpetrator or any other family member” and visitation would otherwise be in the best interests of the child.
In situations where parents are not together or have died or gone missing, or where there has been a significant grandparent-grandchild relationship that has been cut off or severely reduced by the parents for a reason other than abuse, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-306 may afford grandparents with visitation.
The child had a significant existing relationship with the grandparent and loss or severe reduction of the relationship presents the danger of other direct and substantial harm to the child.
A grandparent shall be deemed to have a significant existing relationship with a grandchild if the child resided with the grandparent for at least six (6) consecutive months; the grandparent was a full-time caretaker of the child for a period of not less than six (6) consecutive months; or the grandparent had frequent visitation with the child who is the subject of the suit for a period of not less than one (1) year. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-306).
Expert witnesses are not necessarily required, but may be helpful, depending on the circumstances.
To succeed in a Grandparent Visitation case, competent representation is imperative. Each case has its own unique challenges, and there are complex rules and procedures that are constantly being updated. To best protect your children or grandchildren, and their best interests, call our firm now at (423) 254-5333.
Child Welfare law is a unique field of family law dealing with some of life’s most sensitive issues. Issues of child dependency and neglect are typically addressed exclusively by the Juvenile Courts in Tennessee. Usually a case begins as a Petition for Emergency Custody. Sometimes these cases are brought by the Child Protective Services division of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. Otherwise, cases are filed by concerned relatives or others with knowledge of specific facts that would show a child to be in need of an emergency change of custody.
Who has willfully been left in the sole financial care and sole physical care of a related caregiver for not less than eighteen (18) consecutive months by the child’s parent, parents or legal custodian to the related caregiver, and the child will suffer substantial harm if removed from the continuous care of such relative.
Emergency custody cases involving issues of dependency and neglect are ordinarily required to be heard within 30-90 days of filing, depending on the circumstances surrounding the Petition. These cases also require a higher showing of proof than ordinary cases and have unique procedures before trial, after trial, and on appeal.
It is thus important that anyone going through an emergency custody proceeding be represented by experienced counsel. Aaron Chapman has represented parties at every stage of these proceedings and has represented both petitioning parties and responding parents. To learn more about your rights and to protect the children you love, call our firm now at (423) 254-5333.
Adopting a child can be one of life’s most rewarding moments. In the legal sense, adoption is ordinarily a technical process requiring the skill and attention of an experienced attorney.
The grounds for termination are well-defined under Tennessee law and include several different types of abandonment. If the legal parents of the child to be adopted are still living, their parental rights must first be terminated according to these grounds. It is also possible for legal parents to surrender their parental rights to a prospective adoptive family. Importantly, legal parents cannot surrender their parental rights unless they are surrendering to a party authorized to accept the surrender, which is usually an adoptive family or child placement agency. Despite numerous rumors, parents cannot surrender their parental rights solely to the other parent to avoid future child support.
Upon the lawful termination of necessary parental rights, the adoption may generally proceed uncontested. In the case of a child who is related to the petitioners to a certain degree (including as a stepchild), the process is generally completed with some basic forms and court proceedings. However, if the prospective adopting parent or parents are not related to the child, further home studies and waiting periods may still be required.
This firm has helped numerous East Tennessee families become complete with adoption. To learn more about adopting a child, call (423) 254-5333.
Sometimes families with custody of dependent and neglected children may determine that reunification with the birth parent or parents is not in the child’s best interest. However, adoption may seem inappropriate as well, given the unique circumstances of the situation. For these families, Tennessee Law permits the Juvenile Courts to appoint Permanent Guardians.
To manage the child’s income and assets.
While these rights and responsibilities are essential the same as those enjoyed by natural parents, Permanent Guardianship is not a termination of the parent-child relationship. Thus, pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-803, natural parents still maintain the right to have visitation (to be determined by the Court) and have the responsibility to support the child.
Every family involved in a legal proceeding has a different situation. If you are interested in learning whether Permanent Guardianship is the right option for your unique family situation, please call (423) 254-5333 to schedule a consultation.
Certain domestic abuse or stalking victims may be entitled to an Order of Protection. While many such individuals are able to obtain at least temporary relief without a lawyer, legal representation can help to ensure that certain benefits are obtained such as (where applicable) child support and resolution of personal property issues.
If you have been served with a Petition seeking an Order of Protection to be entered against you, representation is a must. Entry of an Order of Protection against you is a matter of public record and will keep you from possessing firearms. Orders of Protection may affect your employment opportunities. Further, significant costs can be taxed against you.
Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-113, a person who is arrested for violating an Order of Protection is subject to at minimum 12-hour period of incarceration before release without even being convicted. A person actually convicted of such a violation may be imprisoned for up to 11 months and 29 days.
Once granted after full hearing, an Order of Protection may last for up to one year. If certain circumstances are present during such period, the Order may be extended for up to five years. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-605).
In short, an Order of Protection is not to be taken lightly by either the Petitioning party or the party accused of abuse. In order to best protect your rights and your best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
Many have heard of celebrities and other well-known wealthy individuals and couples entering into Prenuptial Agreements (sometimes informally called a “prenup”) to best-define their rights in the event of a subsequent separation or divorce. However, any marrying couple may enter into a prenuptial agreement to best protect the rights and liabilities of the spouses should they later need to separate.
So long as a prenuptial agreement has “been entered into by such spouses freely, knowledgeably and in good faith and without exertion of duress or undue influence upon either spouse,” most provisions of a prenuptial agreement will be given effect in Tennessee pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-501.
If you are considering establishing a prenuptial agreement in Tennessee, experienced counsel is likely necessary. This firm has drafted prenuptial agreements for marrying couples and has experience in working with prenuptial agreements at the divorce-court level.
To best protect your best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
The elderly and disabled are often left without the ability to care for their personal legal needs, healthcare, and financial matters. Tennessee courts will often grant Letters of Conservatorship to meet the needs of these vulnerable individuals.
A successful conservatorship case is not automatic, however, and the Petitioner must take appropriate preparatory steps in order to avoid many common complications in the process.
An experienced East Tennessee conservatorship attorney can help you take the steps necessary to protect your loved one. Our firm handles conservatorship cases throughout East Tennessee.
To best protect your loved one and their best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
Often a competent adult will find it prudent to name a trusted associate or loved one to be their agent (or become their agent at a later time) for various purposes. Tennessee recognizes two types of Powers of Attorney designations used for long-term personal planning purposes: the Durable General Power of Attorney and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
The “Durable” nature of these instruments refers to the fact that the appointment of the agent in each of these types of designation lasts throughout any period of mental or physical incompetency or disability. Likewise, these instruments can be designated to be given effect only in the event of such a disability, making them perfect tools for long-term care planning for many individuals.
Access any catalogue of electronic communications sent or received by the principal, and any other digital asset in which the principal has a right or interest, pursuant to the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, compiled in title 35, chapter 8. For purposes of this subdivision (23), “catalogue of electronic communications” and “digital asset” have the same meaning as defined in the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
As Tenn. Code Ann. § 34-6-204 explains, the agent designated in a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care“has priority over any other person to act for the principal in all matters of health care decisions” and “may make health care decisions for the principal, before or after the death of the principal, to the same extent as the principal could make health care decisions for the principal if the principal had the capacity to do so.” This includes the power to govern the disposition of remains and to decide to withhold health care in the event that the principal is suffering from a terminal condition.
Due to the serious nature of these authorizations, “fill-in-the-blank” forms downloaded online are never advisable, as they are not likely to have been drafted with your specific interests in mind.Instead, these documents are routinely best-prepared by experienced attorneys and executed alongside a Last Will and Testament and/or other simple estate-planning or long-term planning devices.
To best protect your long-term best interests, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.
Most everyone has heard of a Last Will and Testament. A Will, along with other tools of a simple estate plan, can provide much-needed guidance for your loved ones and the probate court after you die.
Wills are governed by Tenn. Code Ann. Title 32, which places strict requirements on their execution. If these requirements are not met, a Will will not be found to be valid. This can lead to unplanned for and impractical divisions of your estate.
Despite these unwaivable requirements, many individuals are looking to documents and advice found on the internet and are improperly executing problematic and inaccurate forms, leading to later problems for their heirs and families.
Simple estate planning is a quick and extremely affordable process for most individuals.
To best protect your final wishes, call Aaron Chapman now at (423) 254-5333.

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