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Questions Answered by Marjorie A Bristol
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: I'm needing to see if I can file for annulment or if it has to be a divorce.

We married August 16, 2017 in tiptonville prison. Marriage has never been consemated. Never lived together. No bills together.

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 13, 2018

It is possible that you would qualify for an annulment, but courts in TN don't like annulments. In this situation, it might be possible though. You should consult an attorney to look at all the facts.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: If i still have all rights to my son but mother refuses to let me see him do i have to pay if she takes me to court?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 13, 2018

If you have an order setting visitation, then she would be in contempt. If you don't have a court order, but simply pay child support, then you will need to go to court to get visitation. Attorney fees could be awarded to the winning party, but each party could also have to pay their own... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Is it true I must see my child so many days a year for child support to be enforced?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 13, 2018

No, child support will be enforced no matter how often you see your child.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I don't understand why I have to work and pay child support when my ex doesn't have to work at all
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 12, 2018

You should have an attorney look at the facts to see if you can add income for your ex into the calculations since he or she may be voluntarily unemployed.

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law for Tennessee on
Q: In TN if a mom is caught at Juvenile Court falsifying a DCS drug screen can they be subject to TN Title Code 39?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 12, 2018

It doesn't ever happen. Parents fake drug screens regularly in DCS cases. It will not help their case in juvenile court, but I have never seen them be charged with a crime.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: 17 and about to have a baby, the father can take care of us can I get emancipated?

The father does everything and can take care of us all with making all that he does, would it be hard to get emancipated?

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 12, 2018

It would be hard to get emancipated. The standard for emancipation is that you have to be able to support yourself. How old is the father that he is able to take care of you? If he is more than 4 years older, that could be a problem for him. If your parents agree to allow you to move in with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is there any laws for step parents spanking a minor who they have no custody over
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 12, 2018

If they had permission of the other parent to spank the child, then they probably have not broken any laws. If you object to the spanking, you should discuss it with the parent. It is not uncommon for courts to put down orders that prohibit anyone other than the parent from disciplining the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can a parenting plan be void if the parents have not followed for over a year and child support not established?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 11, 2018

It is not void, but not following the parenting plan can potentially be used as grounds to modify the parenting plan.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Tennessee on
Q: My three kids ages 10 - 7- and -23months old - are in states custody they won't stop crying for us and won't eat help me

They have never been away from us and DCS won't place them with a relative or anyone they know the dcs working said the baby never stoped crying and my 7 year old had a meltdown my 10 year old is trying to be strong for her brothers I need help please help us we will do anything it takes we... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 9, 2018

You definitely need an attorney who is familiar with DCS and child abuse cases. The fact that your children are crying will not get them out of custody. Your best bet is to be prepared to challenge the reason for their removal to begin with. Also, if there are family members, they can file a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Tennessee on
Q: My school is suspending people from standing in the hallways because there was a fight... can they do that?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 9, 2018

They probably can if the gathering of students was adding to the fight. The reason usually given in these situations is that it is a disruption to the school.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: Filed for divorce 2009. Judge granted divorce June 2010. Paperwork signed directly by wife. Husband’s attorney signed p

Papers for husband. They were four minor children in 2010. No parenting agreement signed or submit it. No division of assets sign or submitted. Divorce contested by husband July 2010. Two years of continuances and no show by both parties. Divorce dismissed July 2013. Are we married or divorced?... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 9, 2018

You will need to consult an attorney who will need to look at the court file to see what orders were entered by the court.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Tennessee on
Q: Wife wants a divorce. 2kids a 401k and a house. Should I get a lawyer even if we agree co parenting?

She wants me to pay off the new car and she in return will quick deed the house. Since she is not financially responsible for it. However she does not work atm. Again she's filling first and formost. I don't want to lose money if the court make me sell the house. After I paied off the car... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 8, 2018

You should definitely consult an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Uncategorized for Tennessee on
Q: I’m 17 if my friends went and beat someone up and I went to take them back to the place they beat him up do I get in

Trouble?

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 8, 2018

That depends on why they were going back to the spot. If you were helping them conceal their crime or further the criminal actions, you could be an accessory after the fact.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: I have custody of my 16yr old daughter, she has been staying with her day since Oct, he is taking me to court for custo

I do not want that but i think she does what do I do

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 8, 2018

I would consult an attorney to see what your options are.

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Tennessee on
Q: My friends daughter is 14 an she just had a baby does she have the right not to go back to school?
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 8, 2018

No, she is required to attend school until she is 18. With her parents' permission, she can be home schooled though.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Can I have my ex-husband's visitation suspended for non payment of child support?

My ex-husband and I split in Dec. 2016 and our divorce was final July 10, 2017. We have a son that is now 20 months old and he has only seen him maybe 20 times despite having supervised visitation EVERY weekend. He recently has not seen or even asked about our son since Christmas and has not paid... View More

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 8, 2018

Child support and visitation are separate issues. A court will not suspend visitation for non-payment of child support. I recommend that you discuss the other issues regarding his inconsistency with an attorney to see what your legal options.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: My wife got pregnant while we were seperated. We are trying to reconcile but he is threating to take the child after

She is born. He is having another child with some other married woman. Its due a month before my wife's baby. She is afraid he can get full custody. I feel he is just trying to manipulate her. Please help!!!

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 1, 2018

He can try to get custody and will likely get parenting time with the child if he wants to pursue it, but is unlikely to get full custody unless the mother is unfit. She should contact an attorney to discuss all of the facts.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: What age do u have to be to pick who u wanna live with if you are adopted

I'm adopted and I really want to go back with my mother

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 1, 2018

Unfortunately, you don't get to pick. When you are 12 or older, the court may take your wishes into consideration in deciding in a custody case, but the court gets to decide. If you are adopted and you are talking about your biological mother, then she has no legal right to ask for custody.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Tennessee on
Q: When dcf comes to your house over 2mths ago and you wasn't there what's the statue of limitations on that
Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 1, 2018

There is no statute of limitations because there is nothing to limit. If they are coming back to complete the investigation, then they can do that, but you have rights during any investigation. You should consult an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Tennessee on
Q: If the primary parent drops off 14 year old child to other parent to live what does that parent need to do for custody?

Is the primary parent in contempt of court? What repercussions would be on the primary parent if any?

Marjorie A Bristol
Marjorie A Bristol
answered on Mar 1, 2018

If both parents agree that this is the best situation, they can file an agreed order modifying the parenting plan. If the other parent doesn't agree, then he or she can file to enforce the plan. You should talk to an attorney.

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