We are a full service law firm assisting individuals and businesses in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Licensed in Tennessee and Virginia we serve the following cities: Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Abingdon, Elizabethton and Greeneville; as well as their surrounding counties: Sullivan, Washington, Carter, and Greene in Tennessee and Washington and Scott Counties in Virginia. We focus on a variety of legal topics, including: - Estate Planning and Administration o Wills, Trusts, Probate Administration o Powers of Attorney, Living Will o Will Contests o Administration of estates with no will - Real Estate o Closings o Title Opinions o Boundary and Easement Disputes o Real Estate Litigation - Family/Domestic o Divorce o Child Custody o Child Support - Businesses o Incorporation/Choice of Entity o Winding Down o Shareholder/Partner Disputes and Litigation o Employment Law - Handbooks - General Litigation o Personal Injury o Workers’ Compensation o Employment Disputes Please contact us to discuss any of your legal needs.
Our office is equipped to quickly and efficiently handle your uncontested divorce. Most divorces can be finalized within two to three months of filing. And, so long as both you and your spouse have already agreed to the division of your property and debts, the process is simple. We can even assist in helping you to iron out and remaining differences that need to be worked out. Many of our uncontested divorce cases can be handled on a flat rate basis.
Child Support
If child support and custody issues have already been decided, it may be important to review any change in your situation and how it may affect these issues. Likewise, it’s important to have counsel on your side if and when your ex-spouse is attempting to get custody and child support changed. Our office can guide you through these situations and more.
For many businesses the legal advantages and protection of incorporating are worth the costs associated with that incorporation. And many times those costs aren’t as high as many people think. Most of our incorporations are handled on a flat rate basis so that you and your business know the costs associated before the process begins. Ultimately, our goal is to continue to work with you and your business until the time to work on your succession plan.
Business Formation
Whether you are a new business trying to select the proper entity or an existing business figuring out whether converting to a new business entity is appropriate, we can help you work through the legal ramifications of those choices. We work in conjunction with your other professional advisers to select the right entity for your business.
Business Disputes
In between the formation planning and the succession planning, our firm is here to provide the general legal advice your business needs. Whether it’s drafting an employee handbook, dealing with employee disputes, reviewing contracts or any other general business law needs, we’re here to help you out.
Unfortunately, not all real estate dealings go smoothly. Many times the parties have to resort to litigation to resolve their disputes. Whether you feel you have a claim against an individual or business or if you are fearful that you may be sued by a disgruntled party in a litigation dispute, our experience can help to guide you smoothly through those troubled waters. We understand that this is probably your first (and hopefully only!) time being involved in a lawsuit, and that’s a stressful situation. However, because of our litigation experience, you can feel at ease knowing you have an expert to guide you through the process.
Real Estate Transactions
When disputes arise, whether it be because of a real estate transaction, failed business deal or debts owed, many parties feel the need to resort to litigation.
We also handle a select amount of personal injury cases. Those include car wrecks, faulty products, workers’ compensation, and slips and falls. Because of early experience representing insurance companies, we are in a position to adequately and competently evaluate these cases and produce the information needed to resolve these cases.
Medicaid Planning
Even if the need for LTC is imminent or immediate, sophisticated Medicaid planning opportunities can be employed to protect a substantial portion of your assets. Carefully working within the Medicaid transfer rules can allow individuals to provide security for themselves and a legacy to their families, while ensuring that they will remain eligible to receive LTC under Medicaid when necessary.
Many people believe that estate planning is only for people who are particularly wealthy, have elaborate schemes in mind for passing their money to their heirs, or for people who are acutely ill and contemplating their death. This could not be farther from the truth!
Wills
Trusts
Perhaps the most common type of trust is the revocable living trust. As the name implies, revocable trusts are fully revocable at the request of the trust maker. Thus, assets transferred (or ‘funded’) to a revocable trust remain within the control of the trust maker; the trust maker (or trust makers if it is a joint revocable trust) can simply revoke the trust and have the assets returned. Revocable trusts can be excellent vehicles for disability planning, privacy, and probate avoidance.
Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney allows your trusted friend or family member to make medical treatment decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your wishes to doctors. Without one, you must have a guardian or ‘conservator’ of your person appointed by the court before decisions can be made on your behalf.