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Questions Answered by Marjorie A Bristol
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: My boyfriend keeps threatening to get CPS involved if I break up with him. We have an 18 month old together.

He says because I don't drive or work and I live with my parents CPS has grounds to take him away. But he drives on a suspended license, doesn't have a job and can't pass a drug test. So my question is this true or is he just trying to scare me?

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 28, 2018

No, those are not reasons for CPS to remove your child. You staying with an abusive boyfriend would, however, potentially be reason to remove your child as would having your child around a known drug user. If you haven't been to court to establish custody, you have sole custody. Tell him to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: I'm looking to get a legal separation from my husband who has been abusing prescription drugs for five years.

He is in rehab for the 5th time, was fired from his job also. I have a job but can not pay my bills and pay to get a separation. Would it be possible for me to get some help here? I need to ensure that he can not further destroy me financially. Any advice you can offer would help me. Thank you.

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 28, 2018

We cannot agree to represent you on this forum. You should call attorneys in the area though. Many will offer a free consult and some will work with you on making payments.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: If you give right up to a child are you still responsible for paying child support?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

You could be unless the child is adopted.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: I am 16 and want to live with my boyfriend and my mom is letting me. If anyone else finds out can I be taken away?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

DCS may remove you from your mom if they find out. Your mother letting you live with your boyfriend is not appropriate supervision, especially if your boyfriend is over 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: my husband died 6 months without a will he has a lady that claims she's his only daughter I live in the house and rent

One side out.The original deed claims the house was purchased separately during which time we were married and in fact living under the same roof during said purchase of the home I had death in my family made me unable to go to closing he was enthusiastic about us doing the closing but when he... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

You should consult a probate attorney to look at all of the facts and see what your options are.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: Is it legal for my wife to live with another man before we r divorced? She has mail going to the other guys house

all her belongings are at the other guys house too

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

Yes, she can live where she wants and with whom she wants.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption for Tennessee on
Q: My stepfather adopted me when i was 7, I had my name changed legally to his surname. Him and my mother divorced in 1987

Am i still his first born legal heir? He has since remarried and has no biological children of his own so does the adoption make me his legal heir? He is not in good health and he hasn't had any contact with me in 10 years . Am I entitled to anything he has or will I need to contest his will... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

You may or may not have grounds to challenge the will. You would be his heir if he had no will, but it is his choice to leave you out of his will if he wishes. You should consult a probate attorney to help you review your options.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Family Law and Adoption for Tennessee on
Q: My son Adopted father said if we don’t split custody of my son That I will lose child support is that true?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 25, 2018

No, that is not true. You should consult an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: my grandmother left me her house in her will my unlces are taking me to court to try and sell the house

can that be done if the will was signed off on and notorized

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 24, 2018

It can be done, obviously, they are doing it. The question is will the court agree with them. You need a probate attorney to help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a new child support law?

My fiance has done a total of 109 days in robertson county jail for child support. We had heard that there was a new child support law making it to where you can no longer go to jail over Child support. We live in TN. We was told if you didnt pay you would lose all rights to your child but you... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 24, 2018

I am not familiar with any such change in the law.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I have a two part question. If my child starts a job at sixteen or drops out does child support stop? Asking for bf.

He has a sixteen years old daughter. She just told him she has dropped out. We explain that you can't just drop out at 16. You can be homeschooled. Found out from a family member that she isnt being home-schooled. Just working or at home. Does child support drop if she's in homeschool or... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 24, 2018

No, he has to at least pay child support until she is 18. Then, if she is not in school, he can asked to be relieved of child support. He should also be concerned about truancy issues if she is not attending school.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Can I get rights to the son I have raised and have full time his mom gets him on weekends. Biological dad is not prsnt.

My ex (also mother of my child) had a son before we got together. His biological father has never been in the picture, but is on birth certificate. Can I ever give him my last name or get rights of some sort for him? He doesn’t understand why my daughter and wife (not his mom) can have my name... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 21, 2018

You should consult a lawyer. Your situation is complicated by the fact that you aren't married to the mother, but there may be legal options open to you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: If im married but seperated and found out i am pregnant with my ex boyfriends child can i file on him for child support?

I have no contact with my husband for two years. He was domestically violent.

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 21, 2018

Yes, you can file for him to be named the legal father and pay child support.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Civil Litigation for Tennessee on
Q: I'm female 58, my husband male is 62. We've been married 41 years. He collects worker's comp and disability social secu

I'm female 58, my husband male is 62. We've been married 41 years. He collects worker's comp and disability social security. He collects a very comfortable income. I quit work 11 years ago. He won't let me get a job, he's not an invaild. I basically have nothing. No formal... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 20, 2018

You should consult an attorney to discuss your options. Many will offer a free consultation. You shouldn't stay in a marriage with an ass. You have options. They may not be easy options, but you have options.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: I have court ordered guardianship of my sister's children. How can I get the father of my nephew to be responsible?

The father didn't sign over his parental rights. Can the courts order him to take custody of his son?

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 20, 2018

The courts can't order him to take custody if he doesn't want custody, but they can make him pay child support.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it illegal to sleep in the same bed as your girlfriend if you are 17 and they are 18

We are lesbians

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 19, 2018

It is not illegal because your are 17 and she is 18. It may be illegal if you don't have your parent's permission to be sleeping over at her house or her at yours.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: My ex and I divorced in 2015. She is the primary parent and I am the secondary. She got a job as of 01/2018.

Per the MDA, Health insurance is to be split 50-50 between both parents for our two kids but she is refusing to provide me the information about the health insurance costs. Am I still responsible for that-can she just tally that up as the year goes and make me have to pay her a lump sum at the end... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 19, 2018

The court would certainly force her to provide you with the information. Unfortunately, if she is refusing, it may take going to court to get her to provide you with that information. You should consult an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: The victim is age 12, and the defendant is age 14

Rape of a child

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 18, 2018

What is the offense? What is your question?

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Tennessee on
Q: Our son takes prescription meds for bi polar. He is job hunting and has to take drug testing. How should he handle this

situation with a prospective employer? He is feeling discouraged. Thank you.

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 17, 2018

They should only test for illegal drugs. If they try to use the fact that he takes medications for bipolar to not hire him, then they may violate his rights under the ADA. He should consult an attorney to advise him regarding his rights.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it legal for DCS in Tn to force an 18 y.o. to get their G.E.D. before being released?

Backstory:::The FSW told my nephew he had to do at least 3 months because he has an indeterminate sentence of 3-6 months.Now that he has been in the YDC 90 days and has not been in any trouble she is now saying he has to get his GED to get out.Mind you, his counselor is even pushing for his... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 17, 2018

I have never seen an FSW require that a youth get a GED prior to release, but I have seen the court require it. If you are concerned, talk to the FSW's supervisor or better, hire an attorney to ask for your nephew's release.

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