Joshua Wallis: Lessons Learned From the Stage for Court

On July 19, 2019 the Miles Mason Family Law Group welcomed Attorney Joshua Wallis of The Landers Firm for a compelling, informative, and enthusiastic discussion on courtroom presence and demeanor and its effect on the outcome of a case. This “Lunch and Learn” in house seminar explained how the details of someone’s appearance, verbal communication, […]

Cognitive Dissonance in Family Law

By Morgan Smith, Paralegal, Miles Mason Family Law Group, PLC Cognitive Dissonance is a unique theory that occurs when one’s ideas, beliefs, or behaviors are contradictory. By understanding both one’s self and any challenges to that sense of self, managing cognitive dissonance becomes a much easier task. After realizing one’s strengths and weaknesses, an individual […]

2019 Tennessee Family Law Legislative Update and Overview

It’s that time again! New Tennessee legislation is already having a direct and substantial impact on family law cases. How might these new laws affect your case? First, stepparent visitation just got a complete makeover. Second, the Tennessee Supreme Court has ended general objections to requests for production of documents and things. Third, parents with […]

Wife Awarded Portion of Husband’s Military Pension + Fees

At July 01, 2019
By Miles Mason
In Family Law, Military Divorce, Property Division
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Tennessee case summary on divorce military retirement in divorce. Karen H. Foster v. Douglas S. Foster The husband and wife in this Montgomery County, Tennessee, case were divorced in 2006. They entered into a marital dissolution agreement, and one of the main issues covered was the husband’s retirement pay. In 2016, the wife brought a […]

Mom Gets Discretionary Costs of $45K After Winning Custody Battle

At April 24, 2019
By Miles Mason
In Child Custody, Divorce Process, Family Law
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Tennessee case summary on awarding discretionary costs. Kim Renae Nelson v. Loring E. Justice The mother and father in this Roane County, Tennessee, case were the parents of a child who was born in 2005. They had been involved in litigation since before his birth regarding paternity, the primary residential parent, and child support. In […]

2018 TN Legislative Update: Child Marriage, Grandparent Visitation, Orders of Protection, Plus More

At July 30, 2018
By Miles Mason
In Attorney's Fees, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Grandparent Rights, Marriage, News
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Immediately apparent from this 2018 legislative update is how busy the Tennessee Assembly has been with revising family law statutes. A series of Public Chapters were signed into law by Governor Haslam earlier this year. The new legislation impacts child marriage, grandparent visitation, orders of protection, parental responsibility for a child’s health insurance coverage, testimony […]

Dad Failed to Show Evidence to Warrant Changing Last Name of Daughter

Tennessee child custody case summary on child’s name change. In re McKenzie Z. The child in this Davidson County, Tennessee, case was born to a single mother in 2008. In 2014, the mother informed the father that he might be the biological father, and this was subsequently confirmed. The mother arranged some joint outings to get […]

Sup. Ct.: Absentee TN Dad Can Sue When Mom Killed in Car Crash

Tennessee child support case summary on inheritance in family law. Kenneth M. Spires v. Haley Reece Simpson The mother and father in this Tennessee case were married, and had one son who was born in 2009. About a month after the child was born, the father abandoned the mother and child. He never returned to […]

Mom Guilty of Criminal Contempt for Disparaging Dad in Front of Kids

At April 09, 2018
By Miles Mason
In After Divorce, Child Custody, Family Law
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Tennessee child custody case summary on contempt after divorce. Sheridan Nichols (formerly Crockett) v. Richard David Crockett, Jr. The parenting plan in this Washington County, Tennessee, case provided that both parents had the right to be free from unwarranted derogatory remarks by the other party in the presence of the child. In 2015, the father had […]

Tennessee Transgender Teen Can Legally Change Name

Tennessee case summary on a minor’s name change in family law. In re Leyna A. The sixteen-year-old minor in this Tennessee case was transgender and was currently undergoing medical transition via hormone therapy from gender female to gender male. Her parents filed a petition to change the child’s name from Leyna Jane to Charlie James, […]