Did You Know?
Feature Question
Q: Can a court award child support outside of the guidelines established by the Department of Human Services?
A: Yes. As long as the court makes written findings based on proof that application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate to provide for the best interests of the child or would be unfair to one of the parties, an order for child support which is outside of the guidelines is acceptable.
Criminal Law
Q: Is the dismissal of a criminal case the same as having the record expunged?
Q: What is an arraignment?
Q: What is a bench trial?
Q: Can I get my charges reduced or dismissed?
Q: Should I hire an attorney or ask for a public defender?
Q: What are the ramifications of a criminal conviction?
Q: What is an appeal?
Q: What is the difference between probation and parole?
Family Law
Q: Is there a waiting period to get divorced on the grounds of irreconcilable differences?
Q: When does the waiting period begin?
Q: What is an uncontested divorce?
Q: Can the non-custodial parent's obligation to pay child support be waived by the custodial parent?
Q: Can a court award child support outside of the guidelines established by the Department of Human Services?
Q: Do I have to have a lawyer when I file for divorce?
Q: What is marital property?
Q: How is marital property divided in a divorce?
Q: When is an award of alimony appropriate?
Q: If my ex-husband is behind on his child support payments, can I stop him from seeing the children?
Personal Injury
Q: What is a statute of limitations?
Q: My insurance company is working with me. Do I still need an attorney?
Q: If my case goes to trial, will I have to testify?
Q: What is pain and suffering?
Q: If I didn't suffer a physical injury in the accident, can I recover damages for pain and suffering?
Q: What are punitive damages?
Q: If I was convicted of DUI in an accident, can I be sued in a civil case?
Q: Can I represent myself in a personal injury case?
Wills / Estates / Trusts & Probate
Q: I own a house with my mother as a joint tenant. I've been told that if either of us dies, the house will go to the survivor automatically and that we won't have to go through the probate process. Is this true?
Q: What is a small estate affidavit?
Q: My father gave me power of attorney while he was battling an illness. He recently died and when I went to the bank to withdraw the money in his account, I was told that the power of attorney was invalid. Is this true?
Q: I just found out that my mother left me out of her will and left everything to her boyfriend. Can I challenge the will?
Q: Is there anyway to avoid probate?
Q: What is a personal representative?
Q: I own real estate in several states. Will my estate have to be probated in each of those states?
Q: What are the duties of a personal representative?
Q: If I die without a will, will the state get all of my property?
Q: If I have a trust, do I also need a will?
Q: Which is better, a will or a trust?
Q: What will happen to my children if I die before they reach adulthood?
Q: What is a healthcare power of attorney?
Q: My mom has Alzheimer's and recently changed her will to leave everything to her church. Is there anything I can do?
Q: What is the minimum age for a person to make a will in Tennessee?
Q: Is a handwritten will valid?
