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Tennessee Business Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Business Formation, Business Law and Land Use & Zoning for Tennessee on
Q: Can my real estate partner sell the property which we built and I operate my small business on? What are my rights and

Options for keeping my portion of the land that my business is located? If we cannot agree to subdivide the majority of the entire property into lots for resale, with him getting reimbursed for all of his expenses prior to me drawing any shares from the sale, will the property be ordered... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jun 27, 2023

Consult with an attorney to either work out your differences, or dissolve the partnership/sue for partition of real property.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: A big brand dealership did and engine repair on my car and they forgot to put coolant in it.It overheated and broke down

They sent someone to pick us up and told me to leave my key in the car and it would be towed within the hour. It sat on the side of the road for 7 days and it was vandalized and it's totaled. The dealership said my insurance has to do the claim bx they aren't responsible for it . Is that right?

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Jun 19, 2023

If they agreed to get it and you did not know they did not do so, you have an argument they are responsible. If your insurance pays they may pursue the dealership.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Civil Litigation for Tennessee on
Q: I am looking for a template to use to file a civil suit. Breach of Contract, $25,000, in Cheatham County, TN.

I am filing pro se, so would appreciate some help to put together this template for small claims/general sessions court.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jun 6, 2023

Tennessee has standard forms online for general sessions courts. You can get a Civil Summons (General Sessions) here:

https://www.tncourts.gov/administration/judicial-resources/forms-documents/court-forms

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, International Law and Internet Law for Tennessee on
Q: Domain Registrar- cheated.Not added purchased domain to my acct- due to selling it at higher price -refunded the money.

Dear sir, I am 56 years male living in india! Most unimaginable fraud commited by NETWORK SOLUTIONS LTD ( My registrar). I have registered a domain name connect.com with NETWORK SOLUTIONS (My registrar) based in Virginia! Checked the availability of the name in Network solutions website search... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 19, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about the fraud you experienced with Network Solutions. It's important to take action as soon as possible to try to rectify the situation.

You may want to consider contacting Network Solutions again and explaining the situation to a manager or supervisor. Provide...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can I have people employed in one S Corp that are meant to work between 2 shared ownership LLCs?

We have 2 LLCs that have partial shared ownership, 2 people are owners in both, 2 more are owners in just one. We are hoping to have an S Corp that is owned by the 2 that own both to employ everyone that currently works in the LLCs to consolidate and simplify things for employees and compliance.... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Mar 10, 2023

You could set up an entity to provide employees to both and then be reimbursed by both entities for the employees. Or the employees could be employed by one entity and when they work for the other - the other entity reimburses the first entity for the time of the employees.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: Hello I manage a hotel/motel in Tennessee for a family friend. What is the law on service animals/emotional support?

We charge a fee for pets but how do we know if the guests animals are really service animals or emotional support animals since we can’t ask for proof? When people come in saying they have either they never come in with the animal so we don’t see a vest/harness even when we look on the cameras... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Mar 1, 2023

I am providing a link to the ADA.gov website. This should answer your questions.

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: Could I use black label as a company name or no?

I am establishing a small business and coming up with a company name is confusing to say the least. We will be a soap and skincare company.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2023

It's difficult to give a definitive answer without knowing more details about your business and the products you plan to sell, but in general, using "Black Label" as a company name may be problematic because it's a common term that is used by many companies in various... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: How to get copy of partnership of a firm registered in 1980s
Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Feb 15, 2023

The Tennessee Secretary of State's Office may have information. Contact the business services department.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: If my LLC doesn't have an operating agreement and a member decides to leave do they owe the company for any debt?

A member has decided, of their own will, to leave the LLC. The LLC is in debt and doesn't have an operating agreement. Does the withdrawing member owe any money to the LLC as buying themselves out?

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jan 24, 2023

Depends on the debt. Are they personally obligated? Is the business just in debt? Or does it have a positive fair market value? Typically, without an operating agreement, when a member quits the LLC pays fair market under TCA 48-249-505. But there are other considerations as well. Consult counsel... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Business Law and Identity Theft for Tennessee on
Q: What to do when someone fraudulently cashes a check?

Someone fraudulently cashed a check I sent to pay my trash bill. The trash company never received it, so they still say I owe the bill. Who is responsible for getting the money - the bank, or the trash company?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 13, 2023

Most likely you.

If someone intercepted a check you wrote to pay a bill and wrongly cashed it, you can legally pursue that person and possibly your own bank as well as the bank that cashed the check.

But you do still owe your trash company and should pay it. This time I recommend...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is there a list of requirements to ensure a tire/car detail shop is up to code?

I am looking to open up a car detail/ tire shop and want to ensure I am not in any violations when looking for a location.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Dec 14, 2022

There's not so much a list but various items you may want to look at - for example, codes and zoning. Make sure where you open up shop, you are permitted to operate. Then you'd want to check the environmental laws on disposal of tires and fluids. And then other statutes like the consumer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Employment Discrimination for Tennessee on
Q: Will someone please answer this for me? I was fired today.

I was fired from a local company and the reason was they found out I was in recovery and said via text “we can’t have you come back with your history of drug abuse. We are afraid you’ll steal”. I have asked this question multiple time and can’t get a response. Do I have any legal action?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Dec 6, 2022

Unless there is a contract, all TN employment is terminable at will of the employer. No action exists.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: I have a check that was written to “buyout” my contract until the end of the month. I don’t agree but I got to eat

It says buyout on my check that has pay due to me via salary plus a little more. I’ve been severely lied to and I will take action but this money is added to my regular salary and I have bills so do I use a without prejudice UCC on the check before I sign. Even if I use the code without prejudice... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 14, 2022

If you cash the check it will probably be an accord and satisfaction of any debt owed. Either file suit or take the money.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Contracts for Tennessee on
Q: How do I handle a potential business partner I don't really wanna pay 50 percent or even less.

I have an online business that I made with a friend but everything is in my name included the LLC but he is in a good amount of the footage that our online course provides but his name is literally on nothing except for about half of the videos. I do think he should be payed something but how do I... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Your post indicates that you are the only member of the LLC and from this I am assuming all of the online content is owned by either you or the LLC. You don't indicate the agreement with this other person - and you likely should discuss this with a lawyer rather than creating another post. -... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: I have a question, it was stated that it’s illegal for a dealership to ask for a down payment under some kind of federal

I over heard a dealer saying this does it have any truth?

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Oct 12, 2022

I think you are referring to a deferred down payment plan, which can be illegal depending on the language used in the purchase agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: I own 79% of a Tn LLC my partners assaulted me can I remove them and sell the business

I went to pay payroll at my quarry. My partners secretly came into town and surprised me and held me at gun point taking my company truck physically assaulting me taking my laptop my card cards, then proceeded to erase my emails my domains on line trying to erase my existence in my business. I have... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on Oct 11, 2022

What you are describing sounds terrible. You should likely contact the police to report this. Beyond this as to next steps with the business- will depend on your LLC governing documents. It will have procedures relating to the management, control and operation of the company.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: My general partner in our L.P. has recently died. How do I (limited partner) undergo converting to a sole proprietorship

My father (general partner) in our Limited Liability corporation has recently died and me (the limited partner) needs to convert the business to a sole proprietorship. What form can I access in order to undergo the conversion? If not, is a general partnership a better idea? Thank you.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 2, 2022

No form is going to meet your objective, and you are confused about LPs and LLCs. Hire an attorney to examine the business and its assets, and then advise a course of action. Sole Proprietorship means you individually own it. It may be very simple, instead of a formal Dissolution.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for Tennessee on
Q: Can an IT company sell prepaid service or block of time and set an expiration date for those services to be used?

If 25 hours of service is purchased can they have an expiration date on when those service hours can be used?

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Jul 20, 2022

Generally, yes. And if you do not like the terms and conditions of the purchase, then you do not need to do business with that provider.

For example, I just personally purchased an online continuing education course. I have to complete the course by October, or I lose the ability to access...
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2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: Im going to start an ecommerce website. I do I need an LLC out the gate to protect myself?

Im wanting to start an ecommerce website. Do I need a LLC to protect myself just to test the business and the market. However, I do have an ok savings but I do not want to get sued. I'm scared that I would lose my personal savings if I don't.

What I mean by testing the business... View More

Michael Ray Smith
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answered on May 17, 2022

I'm not a Tennessee attorney, but the answer to your question would be more or less the same in any state.

I agree with Mr. Wright. Yes, you should have an LLC out of the gate. A corporation is another alternative, but an LLC is generally the structure of choice for small...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it legal for a seller to transfer my information to another car without my permission?

I bought a car for $6500 from a seller I had to bring it back to him because it needed to be worked on, he gave me a loaner car until it was supposed to be done, he proceeds to tell me that he doesn't know what I am talking about this isn't a loaner car and that he transfered my... View More

Mr. James Charles Wright
Mr. James Charles Wright
answered on May 9, 2022

The first car would be titled in your name or you would have paperwork where you bought the first car. The dealer cannot just "swap" the cars out without your permission.

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