Reducing Life Stress, Drama, and Trauma Through Family Law
How you approach life’s problems can make all of the difference; putting one step in front of the next is key – but nobody tells you where to step. Which way? What does the law say about it?
A heated statement can turn into an all-out battle in a snap. A single moment of weakness has consequenses that last a lifetime.
We all strive for the best possible life for ourselves and our loved ones, but sometimes it seems like everything is hanging on by a thread.
Even when life falls apart and you’re left to pick up the pieces, you’re not hopeless and you don’t have to do it alone.
There is a different way – a better way. Finding the right Family Law Attorney can carve a different path into a better future.
We have been in the Family Law business long enough to know there is a place where an attorney’s best interest and a client’s best interest become conflicted around MONEY and TIME.
Our fresh approach to keeping the timeline moving and conflict low, while keeping the service and communication high is the sweet spot. We want to get you through this hard time with haste while keeping our fees managed to allow you more money in your pocket to spend after this difficult period of time. We do this with:
You can’t agree on fair divorce terms that ensure your family’s peace
You agree on divorce terms but need legal help drafting marital agreements and avoiding trial
You need quick action from the court to ensure your little ones are safe and cared for during divorce proceedings
You can’t agree on placement, visitation, or decision-making terms that work for your family
Significant life changes for either party demand a change in your court order
You want to ensure assets and family property gained during your marriage are split fairly
You’re entitled to financial support after your divorce
You need Family Law experts to get the financial support your children deserve
Divorce and Child Custody don’t have to be issues. Often there can be resolution when you have the right legal support, resources, and tools. But, there are cases that simply will not work because there is a high-conflict person involved who drives you to need more legal protection, representation and often Family Law Litigation. Courtroom proceedings are rarely easy, and without legal representation dedicated to eliminating the drama, they are even harder – and more costly. Get protected and stay legally protected. We are ready to stand up, and fight when necessary, for what matters most to you.
Most divorce cases (about 90 percent) are settled in mediation by agreement, without ever having to go to trial. Settling a case by agreement gives you the power, control and flexibility to make important decisions that are best for you, your family and your unique situation. Plus, it is often far less expensive than litigation.
If you are unable to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, your case will go to trial. At trial, a judge will make those important decisions for you, based on very limited knowledge of your unique circumstances and without attention to all the little details. Therefore, We always encourage clients to settle family law cases whenever possible, but fight when they must.
We are skilled at helping negotiate positive outcomes for Tennessee families. However, if your case must go to trial, I am ready and able to protect your interests. I also handle an array of life and estate planning matters for clients, including wills, trusts and other important documents.
We are committed to providing clients with honest and zealous representation, along with regular communication. All telephone calls and electronic communication will be answered and returned promptly. The attorneys and staff at the Law Office of Sam Byrd know and understand that communication is important in every case. At the Law Office of Sam Byrd, I am committed to helping my family law clients resolve their issues as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible so they can carry on with their lives.
We emphasize settling as much as possible through negotiation rather than litigation because it gives you control over the outcome of your case. However, some cases can not be settled through negotiation and must be taken to trial where the Judge will make the decisions for you. I work with my clients to achieve a mutually beneficial settlement whenever possible because it saves money, reduces stress, and allows all of the parties involved, including children, to settle into their post-divorce lives as soon as possible.
Family law includes much more than divorce and child custody issues. There are many ways in which family problems can become legal problems that require the advice and counsel of an experienced attorney, including:
In Tennessee, mediation is a mandatory part of the process. Both parties will meet with a neutral mediator and attempt to resolve disputes or at least narrow the differences between them.
If you select me to represent you, I can attend these mediation sessions and attempt to facilitate the process while protecting your rights and advising you regarding certain agreements.
If you have been in a relationship that involved domestic violence, the mediation session can be conducted with both parties in separate rooms or the courts in Tennessee can waive the requirement to attend divorce mediation.
Our primary goal is to get you to a better life as quickly and painlessly as possible. We are skilled in the art of navigating the legal system to do just that. We know the recipe for success and will guide you toward it with communication and aggressive representation.
Our Intake Team Will Review The General Factors In Your Case So We Know How To Serve You Best
We Will Review Options and Set Goals Together To Step You Through This Difficult Time Into A Better Life
We Have Your Back And Will Negotiate, Advocate, And Litigate If We Must!
And Know We Are Here In Your Corner If And When You Ever Need Us. Your Peace Of Mind Is Our Passion!
I am so thankful I chose Sam Byrd to represent me in my divorce. From the very first meeting two years ago I knew that I had exactly who I needed to guide me through all the legal parts of my divorce. He has always been and continues to be honest, willing, and understanding of my
After reading some really positive reviews I came to Sam Byrd to help me in a custody matter. I was looking for someone I could trust to help me and my daughter through a very emotional and difficult process. I definitely found that with Sam and Brittany! I can’t express enough gratitude for all …
Mr. Byrd was recommended to me through a friend of a friend. I was very impressed with his office. Everyone I spoke with was extremely professional, courteous and my calls and emails were returned. At my first meeting with Mr. Byrd, I …
Sam and his office provided excellent service, demonstrating professionalism and personal attention to all details of my divorce. Sam’s attitude to the work he does, helped me to avoid emotional divorce complications and got me through it in a timely manner.
Sam Byrd was the right choice for me when I needed a defense attorney. He was available for all my questions and concerns prior to court and was committed to the best interest for my family. He took the time to get witness accounts and details which was above and beyond other …
The question we hear most often from new clients at our Chattanooga office isn’t about money...
Law Office of Sam Byrd was build on the back of aggressive, proactive legal guidance for clients who are looking for a creative and innovative attorney to get them through some of the hardest times of their lives. Often riddled with fear, anxiety, and pain, Sam and his team have been able to deliver results for people and families in desperate need of something different – instant relief through aggressive and appropriate representation.
Because you are seen as a HUMAN, not a line item on an accounting report or a case number on a court docket. We believe you deserve to be served with diligence and integrity – giving you our best through your worst times to provide the best possible experience from the beginning.
The court considers various factors when determining child custody, including the living situation, proximity to other family and schools, and income of each parent. The primary consideration is the best interests of the child. In most cases, unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as a history of abuse or substance abuse, the court will favor a joint custody arrangement. The well-being of the child is of paramount importance in all custody decisions made by the court.
Child support is determined with the child’s best interests in mind. Factors considered include the ability of one parent to financially support the child and the financial status of the other parent, as well as any special needs of the child, the health of the child and the parents, and the recipient’s job qualifications and employability.
If a parent who is responsible for child support is not making the payments, it can be enforced through the court system. The court has various options for collecting back payments such as withholding income, garnishing wages, intercepting tax refunds, placing liens on property, and taking punitive actions like suspending licenses, denying passports or even imposing jail time.
Whether or not to create a prenuptial agreement is a personal decision for you and your partner, but it can be advantageous to establish the terms of how assets, property, and children would be handled in the event of a divorce.
The timeline for a divorce can vary depending on the specific situation, it depends on how many issues are in dispute and how quickly you and your spouse can reach agreements. Factors that can affect the duration of the process include the level of cooperation between the parties, honesty about assets, willingness to negotiate and make concessions, and resistance, evasion and hostility may prolong the process and increase costs.
Dividing property in a divorce can be complicated and involves determining which property is considered community property and which is considered separate property. Property that was owned prior to the marriage and property acquired during the marriage are treated differently.
You need a second chance to get your life back on track after a regretful mistake
Your drunk driving charges are endangering your livelihood and risking the future for you and your loved ones
You’re facing the legal consequences of a rageful moment and need help getting past it – fast.
You’re struggling under the weight of snowballing and unfair domestic charges
You’re up against burglary or theft charges and need legal representation to get a fair chance
Possession or other drug-related charges are looming and you need legal help to reduce their impact on your life
Your child is facing charges for unwise decisions whose consequences could disproportionately threaten their education, their employment, and their future
You’re up against federal charges for fraud or embezzlement that could quickly snowball into big consequences
You’re facing charges after a violent incident, and the consequences could steal away your freedom and your safety
Over the years it has been gut-wrenching to see how better representation would have changed the lives of those charged with criminal offenses in Chattanooga. I have been in courtrooms where someone felt they had done nothing wrong so they did not get representation because they thought the facts would be enough to maintain their freedom. Although the Tennessee criminal justice process might seem straightforward, it rarely is. The law is complicated and has many small nuances that can create big impacts. Knowing how to navigate the legal system and having an experienced and aggressives criminal defense attorney on your side, and in your corner, is the difference that changes the dynamic in your criminal defense case.
Both criminal charges and drunk driving charges can sometimes be resolved by one of the following:
