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Stay informed with practical guidance from Patterson Bray on the legal questions that matter most to Tennessee families and business owners.
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Law FAQ: Am I liable for a car accident caused by my child or spouse?

It depends!  Tennessee follows the family purpose doctrine, which can result in a family member, such as a parent or spouse, being held liable for damages caused by another family...

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Quick Facts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Quick Facts Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, behind skin cancers. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death...

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Capacity to Make a Will in Tennessee

As an estate planning and probate lawyer, I've handled cases from time to time where a person's capacity at the time he or she created a Will or Trust was...

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Law FAQ: Can I Sell My House to My Children for $1 to Avoid Gift Tax?

Many clients and others have asked if they could sell their house to their children for $1 to avoid gift tax.  The short answer to that question is "no".  Any...

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LAW FAQ: I was hurt at work in a freak accident that wasn’t really anybody’s fault. Does that mean I can’t get work comp benefits?

I got hurt on the job and it’s getting tough to pay the bills because I haven’t been able to work for a few weeks.  I need some help, but...

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Be careful what you ask for at the Chiropractor

Many people visit the chiropractor for an alternative treatment to many issues ranging from back pain and headaches to allergies and fatigue. An experienced chiropractor will spend time determining why someone...

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Is Obamacare constitutional? Will the Supreme Court uphold the individual mandate?

Three of the 13 federal appellate courts have now ruled on Obamacare.  The 4th and the 6th Circuits upheld the individual mandate, whereas the 11th Circuit deemed it unconstitutional.  (The...

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Law FAQ: I’ve been named as Trustee of a trust….what do I do now?

The most important thing to remember when you step in as trustee is that these are not your assets.  You are safeguarding them for others:  for the grantor (if living)...

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Law FAQ: Why can’t I name my minor kids or grandkids as beneficiaries?

You can certainly leave assets to your children and grandchildren if you do so correctly, and there are a number of options to choose from when planning for minor beneficiaries....