how to obtain a free family lawyer in east tennessee

Legal help is usually provided for no cost and can be obtained by contacting your local courthouse or the Legal Services Corporation. There are a variety of organizations that provide legal aid. Each of these organizations has its own rules regarding eligibility and availability.

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Who are the best family lawyers in Tennessee?

Tennessee Family Lawyers 1 Kimberly K. Schreiber. Kimberly is an Attorney with 20 years of experience. ... 2 Harold E. Rushton. ... 3 Vanessa C. Saenz. ... 4 Elliott J. Schuchardt 5 Benjamin T. Barnett. ... 6 Crystal M. Etue 7 J. Caleb Cassell. ... 8 Lisa B. Forberg 9 Thomas H. Bray. ... 10 Heather G. Anderson. ... More items...

How do I get legal help in East Tennessee?

Legal help when you need it, online and in person and there is never a charge for our services. Be a part of making East Tennessee more just. Support our mission with a financial donation. Click the button above to complete the Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s Prescreen Application to see if you qualify for legal help.

Can a court employee give legal advice in Tennessee?

PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 16-3-804 (b), no employee of the state court system shall engage, either directly or indirectly, in the practice of law. This includes making legal referrals, performing legal research or giving legal advice.

Who is the family law specialist in Memphis TN?

Larry is certified as a Family Law Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Larry is one of two Family Law Specialist attorneys in Memphis and 12 in Tennessee. He has been named one of the Mid-South Super Lawyers each year since 2008.

How can I get free legal advice in Tennessee?

The website Help4TN.org and a toll-free telephone hotline at 888-HELP4TN or (888) 395-9297 both offer information and access to referrals and legal advice and TN Free Legal Answers matches individuals with volunteer attorneys.

What qualifies for legal aid?

You qualify for legal aid if: You are on a low income or receive income-related benefits, such as income support, income-related ESA or JSA. If your monthly income, excluding PIP or DLA is above £2657 you will not be eligible for legal aid.

Can you get a divorce on legal aid?

Legal aid is still available in funding finance cases in divorce, but only if you are financially eligible and you are at risk of domestic abuse.

How long does it take for legal aid to be approved?

Applications are usually processed within 25 working days. If we agree a case is urgent, we will prioritise it and make a decision within 10 working days. You can tell us the case is urgent on the ECF1 form and in the e-mail.

What is the interest of justice test?

The interests of justice test determines whether a client is entitled to legal aid based on merits. As part of the test you must consider the 'Widgery critera' and decide which of the following applies to your client's case: it's likely I'll lose my liberty.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce is automatic?

Most state courts will automatically enter a divorce decree if the parties have been legally separated for a period of time, often one to two years, and meet the basic eligibility requirements.

Who pays costs in divorce?

If you are the one who is being divorced (the “respondent”), the Court might order you to pay the legal fees of both sides. This is unjust, but it is based on the old court principles that if you can prove your case before them, then you will also get your costs.

What counts as unreasonable Behaviour for divorce?

Examples of unreasonable behaviour include being subjected to physical violence, sexual abuse, social isolation, verbal abuse, substance abuse including alcohol or narcotics, if your partner has started a relationship with somebody of the same sex outside of your marriage, and if they refuse to pay towards shared ...

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Legal help when you need it, online and in person and there is never a charge for our services.

THDA is administering a COVID-19 Rent Relief program for the majority of Tennessee

Under guidance from the US Treasury, funds designated as part of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Act of 2020 will support renters who are or have been struggling to pay rent, utilities, or other home energy costs due to loss of wages/income as a result of the pandemic.

Who We Are

Across 26 counties — from Chattanooga to the Tri Cities — Legal Aid of East Tennessee provides civil legal representation for those who need it most. The elderly. Victims of domestic violence. Low-income families. All those who face a legal challenge yet don’t have the vital assistance they need.

Our Mission

Strengthening communities and changing lives through high-quality legal services.

Our VIsion

An East Tennessee where justice is a community value and no one faces a legal problem alone.

How To Get Help

We’re here to help, and offer a wide variety of resources for our community. Here you can find high-level information, downloadable brochures, and our on-demand “Anytime Attorney” video series. Consider these resources your first step in accessing vital legal information.

Ways That You Can Help

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What is family law in Tennessee?

When individuals are faced with any Tennessee family law issues, such as divorce, alimony, child custody, or child support, it is important that they seek the advice and guidance of a lawyer well versed in family law for the state of Tennessee. These professionals help their clients make important decisions about their future instead ...

What is the state of Tennessee's custody law?

Tennessee state law allows the court to award child custody to only one parent (sole custody) or to both parents (joint custody).

What are the most difficult issues in Tennessee?

Often times, the feelings of frustration or anger can lead people to make poor decisions that will have long term, negative consequences for their daily lives. When any of these issues are on the table, it is vitally important for individuals to seek the legal help of an attorney well versed in family law and regulations for the state in which their case is taking place.

Is there a question of paternity for a father who is married to his child's mother?

In these cases, a family law attorney specializing in fathers’ rights can be especially helpful. While there is often not a question of paternity for fathers who were married to their child’s mother, fathers who were unwed often have to begin legal proceedings to determine if they are or are not the child’s biological father. ...

Can you pay more child support in Tennessee?

Parents who are ordered to make child support payments can often estimate their payment amounts by using Tennessee’s child support guidelines, which are a simple fee schedule. Parents do have the option to pay more in child support than what is estimated by these guidelines but never less.

Can a spouse file for divorce in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee state law, a spouse can file for a fault or no-fault divorce. A “no -fault” divorce includes circumstances like separation without cohabitation for a period of two years without children involved or irreconcilable differences. A “fault” divorce includes circumstances like adultery, bigamy, willful desertion for a period of one year, cruelty, a felony conviction, and/or abandonment. Individuals who have lived within the state for at least six months or spouses who live out-of-state but the other party lives in-state can also file for divorce.

Who is appointed by the court to represent a private citizen accused of a crime?

The attorneys appointed by the court are trained attorneys. They are as prepared to represent a private citizen accused of a crime as the District Attorney General is prepared to prosecute that crime.

Can you get a lawyer if you can't afford it?

If you are charged with a crime which may result in jail time, and if you cannot afford an attorney, the court will usually appoint a lawyer at no charge. The lawyer who will represent you in criminal cases is either a public defender or an attorney in private practice who has experience in criminal cases and is paid through a separate fund. ...

Do you have to pay a lawyer for a civil suit?

In a civil suit, the general rule is that you do not have a right to an appointed lawyer. Therefore, if you have a case other than a criminal case you need to obtain a lawyer of your choice. There are cases that a private attorney will handle without charging you a fee for his services. These are cases in which the attorney believes that fees can be obtained from the other party to the lawsuit. This arrangement is known as a contingent fee and does not depend on your ability to pay. In addition some attorneys will arrange for fees to be paid over an extended period of time.

Can legal aid accept all cases?

There are certain types of cases that Legal Aid is prohibited by federal regulations from accepting. Additionally, due to limited resources, Legal Aid cannot accept all cases for representation and has to establish case acceptance priorities.

Law Information for Tennessee

According to information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, in 2016 the mean annual salary for lawyers in Tennessee was $127,700. Tennessee lawyers earning in the 90th percentile could make in excess of $208,000 annually.

Get Your Tennessee Undergraduate Pre-Law Major

Pre-legal education is required under the rules of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners. You must obtain a bachelor’s degree prior to going to law school.

LSAT (Law School Admission Test) in Tennessee

The next major hurdle you must accomplish on your way to becoming a Tennessee lawyer is to pass the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test.

Featured Law School

Featured Program: Online Hybrid Juris Doctor: ABA-approved JD program; Prepare to sit for the bar exam in most states; Semester-long legal externship.

Take and Pass the Tennessee State Bar Exam

Once you have completed the first three steps, you are set to apply to take the Tennessee bar exam. It is administered in February and July. Final deadlines to submit application and information for the February exam are Dec. 20; and for the July exam, May 20.

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Partner Nick, known formally as George Lawrence Rice, IV, is a third generation attorney following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. Mr. Rice brings discipline, experience, expertise and compassion to the practice of family law. Bel...

Tennessee family attorneys

Family law includes laws of marriage, civil unions, same-sex relationships, domestic partnerships, divorce, separation, property settlements, alimony, spousal abuse, adoption, child abuse, child support, child custody and kidnapping.

Self Help Center

Welcome to the Self-Help Center of our website. The information provided here will help you find information about the court system, find an attorney and locate other resources that might help you represent yourself in some legal matters.

Trial & Criminal Court

If you have a question about a warrant (civil or criminal), an arrest, a trial, or any other trial court matters, please contact the Court Clerk for the county in which the case originated. Click here to find the court clerk in your county.

Estate & Probate

Most probate and estate matters are handled by the Clerk & Master in your county. Click here to find the Clerk & Master in your county.

Small Claims

Small claims cases are typically handled in General Sessions Court. For more information about small claims cases, please contact the court clerk in your county. Click here to locate your county's court clerk.

Traffic & City Issues

Municipal Courts handle traffic cases and cases involving violation of city ordinances. The Municipal Court Clerk in your city will be able to assist you with questions about these types of cases. Click here to find your local Municipal Court Clerk.

Still need help?

Please look through this section of our website to find information on a variety of topics. If you cannot find what you are looking for, click here to send us an email inquiry. We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.