In a contested divorce, the spouses cannot agree on the terms of their divorce. Contested divorces are characterized by disagreement, whether it is over the family house or retirement funds. Fortunately, this is a normal situation to be in –…
A variety of steps must be completed before you can become a legal parent. The decision to adopt a child is one of the most important ones you will ever make. With a reputable adoption lawyer on your side, the…
In our initial consultations with clients, one of the first questions asked is how much the divorce will cost? Divorce costs are understandable concerns. Although it is important to seek value in legal representation, cheaper is not always better. Low-fee…
The first step in any adoption proceeding is terminating the parental rights of the biological parents. You must terminate both biological parents’ rights unless you are pursuing a stepparent adoption. The petitioner must prove at least one of the legal…
In child welfare cases, legal advocates may represent families, typically parents, before a child is removed from the home or a petition is filed for abuse or neglect. This legal representation prior to petition aims to keep the family together,…
All child support payments must be paid to the State Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 305200, Nashville, TN 37229. The payor’s TCSES number must be included on the payment. Do not send cash! The following credit cards may be used to…
Tennessee is an “equitable distribution” state, which means that the judge has the right to distribute marital property fairly, which might not be a 50/50 split. For example, the court may give a stay at home mom more property because…
Child custody decisions consider the “best interests of the child standard.” This child centered approach has been around for a long time but, what’s considered “best” has changed over the years. If you’re divorcing now, don’t expect that the courts…
Each parent has an obligation to support their children in Tennessee. In most cases money is given to the parent with primary custody. To find how much you’re likely to pay or receive for child support, you need to examine…
What is a Tennessee Parenting Plan? When a couple with children divorces in Tennessee, the court requires the parents to detail how the children will be cared for when the divorce is final. The plan must include how time will…
