PRACTICE AREAS
WILLS / PROBATE / WILL CONTESTS / LIVING TRUSTS
Having a Will is arguably one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Not only can a will legally protect your spouse, children, and assets, it can also spell out exactly how you would like things handled after you have passed on.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley will work to be sure your loved one's Will is maintained as it was written to ensure that your loved one's wishes are carried out as they had planned.
The word Probate is a legal term which means to prove; and, in referring to a person's Estate, there are a number of things which may need to be proven.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley's probate staff has been handling estates and probating estates for over forty (40) years and has and does so in almost every county in Middle Tennessee.
Contesting a Will is very unusual. By one estimate, about 99% of Wills sail through probate without a hitch. If a Will doesn't fulfill certain legal requirements, or the maker of the Will was not of age or sound mind, a would-be heir or beneficiary can challenge it in probate court after the Will maker's death.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley will aggressively work for you in any Will Contest situation to make sure your loved one's heirs get their fair share of any inheritance which they are due.
With a Living trust you can avoid probate for virtually any asset you own -- real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (it's similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a successor trustee). The -- and this is crucial -- you must transfer ownership of your property to yourself as the trustee of the trust. Once all that's done, the property will be controlled by the terms of the trust. At your death, your successor trustee will be able to transfer it to the trust beneficiaries without probate court proceedings.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley can help you with preparing a Living Trust so that you can be in control of any assets you have and know that your assets will be distributed the way you want them to be distributed after your passing.
If you would like for us to send you free of charge one of our Probate and Power of Attorney Booklets, give us a call and we will send you one immediately, without any obligation.
DEEDS / REAL ESTATE CONTRACTS / LOAN CLOSINGS / TITLE OPINIONS
In Tennessee, there are different types of deeds. Deeds can be confusing because there are different types of deeds. A deed is what someone signs conveying hir or her interst in real estate to another person or entity. There are different types of deeds. There are Warranty Deeds, Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds and other miscellaneous types of Deeds.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley has attorneys that can help you with all your deed needs.
Buying a house or piece of property is a major purchase. Before making this important decision, take the time to determine what you can afford, your ideal neighborhood, and what features you want in a home. And understand the legal issues involed in real estate transactions, such as seller disclosures, Real Estate contracts, potential title defects, and zoning issues. A buyer should aways obtain a Title Opinion before purchasing a home. The Title Opinion is a search of public records and other sources for any liens, easements (such as the utility company's right to access part of the property), or other encumbrances or title restrictions that may affect the property. If the title search locates problems, the buyer should require the seller to correct those problems as a condition to Loan Closing.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley has attorneys with years of experience in preparing Title Opinions to make sure that the property you are purchasing has a good clear title as well as handling your Real Estate contract and loan closing needs.
Let us go to work for you!
CRIMINAL LAW
The Tennessee legilature is in charge of creating Tennessee criminal law. This body of law defines what constitues a felony and what constitues a misdemeanor, it separates various crimes into subcategories, and it provides sentencing guidelines for those convicted.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to have at least a basic understanding of Tennessee criminal law and procedure. It will also be to your benefit to contact a Tennessee criminal lawyer who has experience handling cases that are similar to yours.
Many law firms have attorneys who have experience in various areas of law but do not have attorneys on their staff who have devoted years of their practice exclusively in defending individuals charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes and who do not have the knowledge well earned experience of actually litigating cases and not just hoping to settle cases.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley has an attorney with years of experience defending indiviuals who have been charged with numerous felony and misdemeanor crimes and for years only practiced criminal law.
If you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, come speak with an experienced attorney at Farrar, Holliman & Medley!
DIVORCE / CHILD SUPPORT / CHILD CUSTODY
There are two main ways of resolving divorce disputes: mediation and litigation. Divorce litiagtion is financially and emotionally expensive, often lasting more than eighteen months, costing thousands of dollars, and leaving decisions in the hands of a trial judge. Mediation provides a forum for people to reach negotiated divorce agreements that are agreed to by both people. When mediation is possible, it is usually the best option. However, complex divorce issues, the division of assets and liabilites, alimony, and child placement often drive divorce disputes into the courts.
Child support is mandated by law. Tennessee uses the "income shares" model. Child support is set on the income of the non-residential parent, the costs of work-related childcare, the cost of health insurance for the children, the amount of time that each parent spends with the children, whether or not either parent has other minor children that they are supporting, and other extraordinary circumstances, such as private school, medical needs, etc.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley, contracry to most law firms, has experience trying divorce case issues to juries when the facts and issues regarding child support justify a trial by jury and when it is believed that ajury will find our client's position more acceptable than merely leaving the decision to one person, a Judge.
The determination and modification of child custody are some of the most contentious issues involved between parents in divorce and post-divorce disputes.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley has attorneys with significant experience helping clients throughout Middle Tennessee work through complex child custody matters.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY / SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
It can be frustrating and disappointing when you are denied Social Security Disability, but a denial does not have to be the end of the story. You can appeal the adverse decision. In fact, you can appeal three times within the Social Security system. The three levels of appeal within Social Security's system are reconsideration, hearing, and Appeals Council review. You could be approved at any of these appeals. However, if you are not, you still have the legal right to pursue your claim in Federal court.
SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a needs-based program that provides a monthly check to persons who are blind, elderly, or have a disability. For disabled people who have never worked, or those who haven't worked enough in the recent years to qualify for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), SSI may be the only program available to them. However, the SSI program is tough to qualify for financially, as it has very low income limits and asset limits.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley handles a very large percent of the Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income cases in Warren County as well as a substantial percentage of these cases in surrounding counties, with a substantial degree of experience in this regard and successful representations of our clients.
If you have been denied Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income give Farrar, Holliman & Medley a call and let our attorneys go to work for you!
If you would like for us to send you free of charge one of our Social Security-SSI Booklets, give us a call and we will send you one immediately without any obligation.
MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
Thousands of motor vehicle collisions occur on the roadways of Middle Tennessee every year. Some result in serious injuries that could have been prevented. Oftentimes, victims are left facing painful injuries that require extensive medical treatment and a lengthy recovery process. If you or a loved one were involved in an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley will provide expert legal guidance to make you feel comfortable throughout the entire process of trying your motor behicle collision case. We will take the time to carefully explain your case and your options for recovering compensation, and we make ourselves available to answer all your questions along the way. At Farrar, Holliman & Medley we understand how important your case is to you. That's why we are committed to devoting the personal time and attention needed to deliver you results. We will make sure you receive the quality legal representation you need to get the compensation you deserve.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' compensation is an agreement between an employer and an employee where an employee receives medical and financial assistance for a workplace injury. The worker and employer both gain from this agreement, because these benefits are usually provided without the determination of fault or negligence, and because workers forfeit the right to file a negligence lawsuit against the company. In workers' compensation suits, workers are pitted against insurance companies to try to get the benefits they deserve after a workplace accident.
If you have been seriously injured at the workplace, you need a powerful and thourouly experienced advocate on your side that has handled hundreds of workers' compensation matters to help you recover the financial and other workers' compensation benefits which you are eligable to recieve, call us.
Farrar, Holliman & Medley can help you get the benefits you deserve from work injuries including payment for doctor visits, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, medical tests, wage replacement, permanent impairment, death, and others.