During the pandemic, issues with student discipline rose drastically.  Legislators nationwide have responded to this emergent issue by developing new laws that empower teachers with more control over their respective classroom environment.  Despite legislative intent, however, it remains crucial for state and local governments alike to be mindful of Tennessee’s legislative answer that has a significant impact on educators as school boards attempt to navigate towards normality: the Teacher’s Discipline Act (the “Act”).  Outlined in Tenn. Code Ann. (“T.C.A.”) §§ 49-6-2801 – 2804 ..read more

Hello all, The last time we talked, we discovered an alarming statistic that only 33% of Americans have Estate Planning documents in place at the time of their death. The absence of a will, or dying intestate, can have significant implications for the distribution of your assets. I run into so many people that think they know how their property will pass by state law when they die.  They are usually shocked when I explain how things really work.  So, I thought it would be a good idea to give you a little cheat sheet on intestate succession. So, who gets your stuff when you die in Te ..read more

The state of housing in 2023 is undeniably tumultuous.  Even if you have been living under a rock, the rent for said rock has likely increased in the past eight months.  In this environment, it is important for renters to understand their rights and obligations under Tennessee law. According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, rent growth in Knoxville grew faster than in any other U.S. city in 2022. Knoxville was also No. 11 for the highest inbound migration rates of all metro regions in the United States. Concurrently, filings for evictions nationally are exceeding ..read more

  As a lifetime speeder, some would call me an aggressive driver, I understand the desire to get to your destination as quickly as possible, even if there is no excuse other than the self-indulgence of getting things done.  My real excuse, although not a defense, is the fact that I have an aversion to being in a pack of vehicles.  I want to be in front of those packs (certainly not in the back).  However, when I contemplate the pros and cons of speeding, I have come to realize that speeding is just not worth it.  And I’m not just talking about the cost of receiving a t ..read more

I left the ice cream in the refrigerator yesterday.  I think that I am losing it!  Ever had a “senior moment?”  Personally, I have been having them since my early 20’s.  While most of the time these moments happen to us because our busy lives are so distracting, dementia and Alzheimer’s are on the rise. 1 in 3 seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease kills more people every year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. In the State of Tennessee, deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased 217.6% in the last 20 years. In 2020, 120,000 ..read more

As we have all noticed going through our daily lives, the economy is rapidly changing from where it was a year ago. The current rate of inflation in the United States is sitting at 8.2%. Gas is more expensive. Groceries seem to cost more every time you walk into a store. Bottom line – people’s money does not go anywhere near as far as it used to. As a result, people are falling farther and farther into debt. Home foreclosures are up anywhere from 180 to over 200% depending on location. More and more small businesses seem to have closed permanently. As a result, more and more people and busines ..read more

Unsurprisingly, the prospect of divorce is not often contemplated by couples during their wedding planning.  Yet, more and more Americans are entering into agreements prior to their wedding to ensure a clear separation of assets in the event of divorce. While certainly nothing new, the prenuptial agreement (or antenuptial agreement) remains the most consistently effective method for addressing these matters before any marital issues can surface and potentially spoil an agreeable outcome.  What is new, however, is the degree to which prenuptial agreements are being used. Prenuptial ag ..read more

Our own John Owings, was selected to be Harriman’s new City Attorney during a recent City Council meeting. “Of all the candidates we interviewed, Mr. Owings had the most experience to represent Harriman in the best possible way,” Harriman City Manager Scott Mason said. We couldn’t agree more! Congratulations, John! You can read the entire article on the Roane County News site. A subscription may be required. The post John Owings Named as New Harriman City Attorney appeared first on Owings Wilson & Coleman ..read more

This article is something that I have been encouraged to write because of my experience in helping my mother, who has low vision issues associated with Macular Degeneration, find ways to stay safe at home and function more independently. The methods I use and the products I mention are not the only way to make this work. This is just what we ended up using and what works for our particular circumstances. There are no affiliate links or product reviews in this article, nor is it a complete list of options. The article’s sole purpose is to provide some insight into some available options to he ..read more

Owings, Wilson & Coleman is a proud sponsor of the Alcoa City Schools Foundation. ACSF is a nonprofit foundation that rallies both resources and the community so that the City of Alcoa’s educators and students are supported and provided for. Since 1989, ACSF has contributed to improving the quality of education in the City of Alcoa by providing invaluable resources for supplies, activities, and student opportunities. Owings, Wilson & Coleman was pleased to be a part of sponsoring the ACSF Legacy of Excellence Alumni Recognition Gala that took place on August 27, 2022. The gala is an an ..read more