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In Business Litigation, Contracts, General

When can a subcontractor file a lien?

When can a subcontractor file a lien?

Under Tennessee law, a subcontractor is considered an indirect lien claimant since he or she typically does not have a contract with the owner of the property. Even though a subcontractor does not have a contract with the owner, he or she might still have lien rights. To determine if a subcontractor has lien rights, you must consider the following: Did the subcontractor contribute to an improvement in real property? Is the improvement part of a residential or commercial project? Has the subcontractor taken the necessary steps to ensure he or she has not lost whatever lien rights he or she may have had?

Improvements

In most situations, this is obvious. The subcontractor has either performed services or delivered materials as part of a construction or renovation project that permanently alters or “improves” the real property.

Residential or commercial property

For subcontractors, Tennessee law treats residential projects and commercial projects differently.

Residential projects

Generally speaking, subcontractors do NOT have lien rights for improvements made to residential property. One exception in which a subcontractor … Read the rest

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July 30, 2018
In Auto Accident, General, Personal Injury

Injured by a USPS driver? You might be able to sue the USPS.

Injured by a USPS driver? You might be able to sue the USPS.

Claims against the postal service can be tricky because the law with respect to these types of claims is unique.  Unfortunately, injured parties cannot simply file a lawsuit against postal service like you would against any other negligent driver.  Instead, you must comply with the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”).  Running afoul of the FTCA might negatively affect your rights.  As such, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer Memphis trusts to help you navigate this unique area of law.

A brief history on suits against the federal government

Years ago, people could not even sue the federal government based on the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity, which is basically lawyer-talk for the notion that the government has to give you permission to sue it.  Stated differently, the federal government has to waive its sovereign immunity and consent to being sued.  Thankfully, Congress did just that by passing the Federal Tort Claims Act in 1946. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346, 2671-2680.

Specifically, the FTCA allows suit against the … Read the rest

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July 24, 2018
In Civil Litigation, General

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips from Patterson Bray

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips from Patterson Bray

Halloween is such a fun time of year, especially for children.   Sadly, it is also a very dangerous night for kids.  On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year.  Only 18% of parents use reflective tape on their children’s Halloween costumes, and 12% of children ages 5 or younger are permitted to trick-or-treat alone!  In addition to talking with your kids about Halloween safety, here are some things you can do for a safer night:

 

  • Kids under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
  • Use reflective tape on costumes.
  • Walk on sidewalks and paths, and not in the street.
  • If there are no sidewalks, you should walk facing traffic as far to the side as possible.
  • Cross streets at corners only, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  • Watch for cars that are turning around or backing up.

DRIVERS: If you are driving on Halloween night, be especially vigilant!  Slow down, even more than usual, in residential neighborhoods. Children … Read the rest

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October 31, 2017
In General

What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?

What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?

Intellectual property is one of the most obscure areas of law, and many business owners, eager to protect their IP, need to know what protections patents and trademarks offer.  Often, you will be best served by consulting with a patent attorney about your intellectual property.  However, this provides an overview of the protections afforded by patents and trademarks.

A patent protects inventions.  There are actually three types of patents, utility patents, design patents, and plant patents.  Plant patents protect new asexually reproduced plants, including sports, mutants, hybrids and newly found seedlings, other than tuber propagated plants or plants found in an uncultivated state.

Design patents protect original ornamental designs for articles of manufacture, which includes almost anything that has ever been made, as well as graphical user interfaces for computers, smartphones and tablets as long as a portion of the display is shown.

Utility patents protect inventions that are new and an advancement on the current technology.  A utility patent can be directed to any manufactured good or industrial process … Read the rest

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September 20, 2016
In General, Uncategorized

Who Says a Judge Can’t Be Funny?

 

Who Says a Judge Can’t Be Funny?

While the underlying crime is by no means funny — i.e. an argument over a dog pooping in a neighbor’s yard that led to a machete fight — Judge Jeff Sutton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit offers up several good “one-liners” in response to the criminal defendant’s arguments, including the following:

 

“‘There is nothing new under the sun.’ Ecclesiastes 1:9. Maybe so. But this is a first for us — a dispute between next-door neighbors about uncollected dog deposits that degenerated into a near-fatal assault with a machete.”

“Walker’s belief, however honest, was emphatically unreasonable. He had no objective indications that his neighbor was about to attack him with the stick. And even if he did, Walker brought a machete to a stick fight and nearly killed his neighbor in the process — all in a dispute over a canine trespass….”

“Walker’s lawyer attempts to downplay her client’s use of a machete, claiming that it is merely a ‘garden implement.’  That is easy for her … Read the rest

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June 29, 2016
In Civil Litigation, General

Property Damage by Tree Limbs and Roots

Property Damage by Tree Limbs and Roots

Have you ever wondered about property damage caused by tree limbs or roots?

First, let’s talk for a moment about your neighbor’s tree limbs.  Suppose the tree itself is on your neighbor’s property, but the limbs are hanging over your fence, casting unwanted shade or shedding leaves you don’t want to pick up.  This really bothers you. Can you trim the limbs even though the tree belongs to your neighbor and is on his property?

The quick answer is yes. But don’t ask your neighbor to pay for it. And don’t trim the limbs beyond the property line. If it’s a more serious matter, you might have a nuisance action for property damage.

Option 1: Self-Help—Trim the Branches Yourself

Under Tennessee law, you may, at your own expense, cut away intruding vegetation to the property line whether or not it constitutes a nuisance or is otherwise causing harm to your property.

Option 2: Nuisance Action—Bring Suit to Make Your Neighbor Pay Damages and Fix the Problem

In some cases, you … Read the rest

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May 18, 2016
In General

Have Divorce Questions? Guest Blog by Family Law Attorney, Lucie Brackin

Divorce Lawyer Tennessee

We hope you never need a divorce. But just in case you have questions about what a divorce in Tennessee involves, we’ve invited Guest Blogger and Family Law Attorney Lucie Brackin to fill you in. Lucie is a partner with The Landers Firm PLC. Here’s what Lucie has to say about getting a divorce in Tennessee:

Filing a Divorce Case

The first step is to file a Complaint for Divorce and pay the filing fee to the Court Clerk’s office.

How Long Does it Take to Get Divorced?

If you have minor children, there’s a 90 day waiting period before the Court can grant a divorce.  If you don’t have minor children, the waiting period is 60 days.

Discovery in a Divorce Case

The first formal phase of a divorce is called “discovery” because that’s what the lawyers are doing – discovering everything they need to know about the parties, the finances, the children, etc.  This usually involves answering a list of questions under oath, producing documents to the other side, and depositions.

Child Custody in

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May 11, 2016
In Auto Accident, Civil Litigation, General, Personal Injury

Who is the best lawyer near me?

You may have been hurt in an auto accident or truck accident and wondering:

 

  • Who is the best injury lawyer or best accident lawyer in Memphis, or Nashville?
  • Who is the best injury attorney near me?
  • Who is the best car wreck lawyer in Cordova, or Bartlett, or Germantown?
  • Who is the best car wreck attorney near me?

You may have been injured and Googled those questions, or perhaps others:

  • Who is the best personal injury attorney or wrongful death lawyer in Memphis?
  • Who is the best spinal cord injury lawyer, or brain injury lawyer near me, or in Memphis, or in Tennessee?
  • Who is the best lawyer to negotiate with an insurance company for damages for your injury?

Right question. Wrong answer.

You won’t ever hear any lawyer or attorney at Patterson Bray claim that we are the “best” in Memphis – for a couple of different reasons. First, because there are plenty of fine lawyers and attorneys in the Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee area, including in Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, Arlington, Millington, Collierville, and Lakeland.  We would seriously … Read the rest

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May 5, 2016
In Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Estate Planning, General, Government

Top 8 Ways to Save Money on Attorney Fees

Top 8 Ways to Save Money on Attorney Fees

Let’s talk about attorney fees. When confronted with a legal claim or issue, some people simply want to “turn it over to the lawyer and be done with it.” Others prefer a more hands-on approach, and they prefer to work closely with legal counsel.  Some clients want to resolve a matter as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible, while others desire vindication and want nothing short of a judicial ruling or jury verdict. However, there is one thing that all clients probably agree on.  The lower the attorney fees, the better. 

How do you keep legal fees in check?

Make sure your goals and legal strategy are clear. Lawyers work for clients, and attorney fees are based on the amount of work the lawyer performs for the client.  Clear communication and responsiveness from both the lawyer and the client is critical.  Above all, you must make sure you communicate clear goals, and then to listen and understand what actions your lawyer is suggesting.

What can I do to save money on attorney

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March 29, 2016
In Estate Planning, General

Can I Write My Own Will? Is a Handwritten Will Valid?

In some cases, a handwritten Will can be considered valid and admitted to Probate Court.  Under Tennessee law, a handwritten Will is called a “Holographic Will.”  It is not necessary that the document be witnessed, but all the material provisions and the signature must be in the Testator’s handwriting.

What does “Testator” Mean?

The testator is the person who is making the Will.

How Do You Prove a Valid Handwritten Will?

The Testator’s handwriting must be proven by 2 witnesses.  Before petitioning the Probate Judge to admit the document to Probate Court as a valid Last Will and Testament, the Executor will likely have to find 2 people who can testify that the material provisions and signature are in fact written in the Testator’s handwriting.

Why We Don’t Advise Handwritten Wills

While writing your own Will seems like a simple solution to making sure your assets go where you want them to go after your death, there are many pitfalls. For example:

  • You may mistakenly believe that the disposition of certain assets will be governed by the terms of your
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March 23, 2016