Adoption
Unrelated Adoption
Clients had recently been granted temporary custody of an unrelated newborn from another state, with the desire to adopt the child. Clients retained us to assist with the adoption in the State of Tennessee as part of an interstate process. During the case, we were able to assist with the surrender of the minor child to the Clients, obtain temporary custody of the minor child from a Tennessee court for the Client, and complete an agreed adoption of the child.
Adoption
Termination / Stepparent Adoption
Clients, the mother of a young child and her spouse, desired to complete a stepparent adoption. Father had struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues and had not exercised any visitation with the minor child for several years, but contested the Clients’ petition to terminate his parental rights and the adoption. At trial, we successfully argued to terminate Father’s parental rights, and the Clients were allowed to proceed with the stepparent adoption of the minor child. After the trial, we also successfully negotiated a PACA (Post-Adoption Contact Agreement) to prevent the appeal of the Court’s decision, which Father had threatened.
Adoption
Termination / Relative Adoption
Clients were the paternal aunt and uncle of a minor child who had been left in their care for several years. Clients filed to terminate the parental rights and adopt the minor child. One parent, the relative of the client, contested the termination and adoption and sought visitation with the minor child. The Court denied the parents’ request for visitation during the proceedings. Ultimately, the parental rights of both parents were terminated, and the clients were granted their request to adopt the minor child as a permanent member of their family.
Custody
Grandparent Custody
Clients came to us for assistance in obtaining custody of their grandchildren. At the time, one of the parents had been arrested and was being held on serious criminal charges, and the other parent was experiencing mental health issues and housing insecurity and was not able to care for the grandchildren. We obtained an emergency order granting the clients temporary custody. At the conclusion of the case, the parents agreed to grant the clients permanent custody of the children, and the parents will exercise limited visitation with the grandchildren, largely at the clients' discretion.
Child Support
Child Support Upward Deviation
Client came to us for assistance with her child support case. The other parent had a significantly higher income than Client but voluntarily exercised limited parenting time. Client required significant work-related childcare due to the minor child’s young age and the Client’s full-time employment. Due to the circumstances, Client’s child support was likely to be capped at the maximum monthly support under Tennessee law, but Client requested additional support due to the income discrepancy between the parties and due to the significant cost of full-time childcare. At trial, we successfully obtained an upward deviation and additional child support over the statutory cap for Client and Client was awarded their attorney’s fees.
Custody
Post Divorce Custody Modification
The Client came to us amidst a heavily contested post-divorce custody case. Client’s former spouse was representing themselves and was extremely litigious, regularly filing copies and unnecessary pleadings requiring regular hearings before the Court. The client had previously been granted an emergency order restricting the other parent from exercising parenting time, and the teenage minor children did not have a good relationship with the other parent. We successfully assisted the Client with moving the case towards a resolution, and after a two-day trial, the Client kept primary custody of the minor children; the other parent was not granted parenting time and was ordered to participate in reunification therapy with the minor children. Client’s child support was increased, and Client was awarded their attorney’s fees.
Parenting Plan
Relocation / Parenting Plan
The Client was served with a case to establish parentage and a parenting plan. Following the parties’ breakup, Client had been forced to move out of state with the minor child, which the other parent later claimed they had not agreed to. During the case, Client was awarded significant pendente lite child support, which the other parent had also opposed. Ultimately, we were able to settle the Client’s case at mediation, where the Client and the minor child were able to remain at their new home out of state, the Client remained the primary parent of the minor child and kept the majority of parenting time, and was awarded ongoing child support.
Child Support
Parenting Time / Parenting Plan
The Client sought to establish parentage and obtain a permanent parenting plan for their minor child, including additional parenting time. During the proceedings, we successfully defended the Client against several false allegations and attempts to restrict or limit their parenting time. Ultimately, we successfully negotiated a favorable parenting plan for Client, including equal parenting time with the minor child and no child support payable to the other parent.
Custody
Ex Parte / Primary Custody
The Client had a young child, but had never been married to the other parent and did not have a parenting plan. The child lived primarily with the other parent, but the Client exercised time regularly with the child by agreement. The other parent told Client that they intended to move out of state with the minor child to live with a registered sex offender. While our client had the child in their care, we obtained an Ex Parte Restraining Order restricting the other parent’s time with the child and preventing the other parent from moving out of state with the child. Following a final trial, our client was awarded primary custody of the minor child, and the other parent was granted limited parenting time.
Post Divorce Finances
Post Divorce Financial Issue
The Client came to us with a post-divorce issue. Client’s former spouse frustrated the selling of the parties’ former residence and demanded additional equity out of the parties’ home before they would agree to the home being sold, and refused to return the client's personal property. In desperation, Client agreed to the ex-spouse’s demands and received fewer proceeds from the sale of the home to effect the closing. We filed a contempt petition against Client’s former spouse. The former spouse eventually returned some of Client’s personal property, and at trial, we obtained a judgment for the additional proceeds from the sale of the home that Client was owed, as well as attorney’s fees for the client.
Business Agreement
Negotiations and Protection
A client approached our firm with numerous issues with their business partners. Our attorneys were able to negotiate an agreement that allowed the client to receive full value for his share of the business, without a non-compete, and full protection from any personal liability.
Property Trust
Property Trust Restored
A trust had property improperly transferred out of its name without the knowledge or consent of the trustee and beneficiaries. The new owner then attempted to evict the client from the property. The improper transfer was reversed, the property was restored to the trust, and the client was able to keep their home.
Will and Probate
Will and Probate Matter
A wife and mother who had been left out of their husband's will came to H&P Law to understand what her rights were. The attorneys helped navigate the probate process, including staying in her home and receiving her share of the husband's estate that she was entitled to under Tennessee law.
License Defense
Defective Construction
A licensed contractor was sued by a homeowner for defective and negligent construction. The homeowners claimed the contractor failed to meet the applicable professional standards when constructing an addition to a home and refused to pay the client the remaining balance. At trial, the homeowner's claims were denied, and the homeowner was ordered to pay the client the outstanding balance.
Licensure Defense
Inappropriate Conduct
A medical professional was accused of numerous counts of inappropriate conduct towards multiple patients, that inluded inappropriate touching. Following a two-day trial before the applicable professional board, the client was cleared of the allegations and retained their license.
Licensure Defense
Abuse Claim
A medical professional came to us after they were fired for restraining an elderly patient who had become aggressive toward the client and their coworkers. The client was accused of abusing the patient, and a petition to place them on the abuse registry was filed. After a trial, the client was cleared of all wrongdoing.
Family Law
Adoption
"From start to finish, they were the perfect balance of professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and heartfelt compassion."
Family Law
Child Custody
"Hagar & Phillips helped me get custody of my kids. I can't express how grateful I am. Made me feel like family."
Family Law
"Hagar & Phillips is very affordable and great to work with. I would recommend them (and have) to anyone needing a family law attorney. This firm will go above and beyond for you."
Criminal Defense
Criminal Matter
"I have known Eric and Tiffany for years on a personal and professional level, and you couldn't ask for more honest, hard-working people. Top-notch law firm, and I wouldn't want any other law firm taking care of my affairs."
Licensure Defense
Medical License Contract Review
"Each member of the staff at H&P is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. Their work is phenomenal, and there is no doubt that they can help with any of your needs."
