
Debt Collection
& Creditor's Rights
Credit & Debt Collection
WOLFORD & ROBINSON is dedicated to effective and ethical debt collection. The benefits of using a law firm for debt collection are numerous. A letter of notice from a law firm is generally regarded with more urgency than notifications from a third-party collection agency. WOLFORD & ROBINSON adheres to strict legal guidelines, and does not report information to credit agencies, which protects our clients from debtor complaints under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Our attorneys and professionally trained legal staff also abide by Fair Debt Collection Act stipulations and rely on professional yet urgent letters and person-to-person calls to contact debtors. WOLFORD & ROBINSON will also protect client rights in the event of debtor bankruptcy.
In the event of outstanding debts, WOLFORD & ROBINSON can assist clients in filing a lawsuit. If a lawsuit results in a final judgement, our firm can garnish a debtor’s wages, bank account, or record a lean against the debtors property. If the client wishes, and the debtor signed an appropriate agreement, WOLFORD & ROBINSON can levy an 18% per annum service charge on delinquent accounts, and collect attorney and court fees in the case of a trial in addition to the original amount owed by the debtor. In any case, our law firm will ensure that each client receives the delinquent amounts owed to our clients.

Business
Contracts
Business Contracts
In business, time is money, and much of a business owner's valuable time can go to sorting through intricate legal matters like contracts and structure. WOLFORD ROBINSON has years of experience in advising businesses on various legal issues. Whether a client is looking for a contract lawyer, Limited Liability Company (LLC) information, or representation in a business dispute, WOLFORD & ROBINSON, is committed to assisting clients however possible.
For business owners, hiring an attorney to construct and negotiate contracts is a great way to save time and cut overhead cost. Business law can be complex, and it is important to have someone who knows the ins and outs of legal matters. A business contract lawyer can ensure that any contracts are legally valid, and secure favorable terms for the business owner.
Lawyers can also help advise businesses on what sort of entity and structure will best meets the needs of the business owner, and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Experienced attorneys like those at WOLFORD & ROBINSON can offer guidance on how best to comply with state and national laws, and ensure that statutes are not inadvertently broken. Contact the attorneys of WOLFORD & ROBINSON to find out more about business law and advising.

Workplace Accidents
& Personal Injury
Modal Title
Workplace Accidents
When accidents happen at work, employers are supposed to provide injured employees with medical care and compensation for lost wages and disabilities, but unfortunately, they do not always follow through, or make the process overly difficult. Hiring a workplace accident lawyer means that you have proper legal representation and can claim the compensation you are entitled to.
Worker compensation requirements vary by state. However, regardless of state, you should notify your employer immediately if you’re hurt on the job. In both Tennessee and Georgia, you must notify your employer of an injury within 30 days of the incident. Claims must be filed within one year of the incident. Contact the experienced attorneys at WOLFORD & ROBINSON for assistance.
Tennessee Workers Compensation Statutes*
Workers who claim compensation in Tennessee are generally entitled to the following benefits.
Applicable to injury claims occurring on or after July 1, 2016.
Pay Compensation: Worker is paid two thirds of average weekly wage (Maximum of $976.80) twice a week. Payments start around 15 days after an authorized doctor has declared an employee unable to work and the employer has been notified of injury. Payments end after 450 weeks, or when maximum medical improvement (MMI) is reached, whichever happens first.
Medical Compensation: Employers must authorize three doctors and a chiropractor to be covered by compensation insurance. 100% of medical costs incurred with these doctors must be covered. Medical compensation can include travel time if an authorized doctor is outside a worker’s town of residence.
Family Compensation in case of Death: Spouses of workers killed on the job are entitled to 50% of weekly wages. If the family has children, the compensation increases to ⅔ of weekly pay. Payments stop after 450 weeks.
Disability compensation: In the case of a temporary total disability (TTD), payments end after 450 weeks or until MMI is reached, whichever happens first. For permanent or total disability, payments may continue until the employee is 65, and eligible for social security.
Exceptions: Compensation claims can be denied if the employee’s injury was caused by the employee’s misconduct, was self-inflicted, or occurred due to the injured person not following safety regulations.
Georgia Workers Compensation Statutes*
Workers who claim compensation in Georgia are generally entitled to the following benefits.
Applicable to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2016.
Pay Compensation: Worker is paid two thirds of average weekly wage. (Maximum of $575.00) twice a week. Payments start around 21 days after an authorized doctor has declared an employee unable to work and the employer has been notified of injury. Payments end after 400 weeks, or until maximum medical improvement is reached, whichever happens first.
Medical Compensation: Employers must authorize a panel of at least six doctors for employees to choose from. 100% of medical costs incurred with these doctors must be covered. Medical compensation can include prescriptions, travel time, and in some cases, rehab or physical therapy.
Family Compensation in case of Death: Spouses and children of workers killed on the job are entitled to 2/3 of average wages for up to 400 weeks. If the worker has no children, a spouse is entitled to ⅔ of wages for 400 weeks, until turning 65, or totaling $230,000.00, whichever happens first.
Disability Compensation: In the case of a temporary total disability (TTD), payments continue for 400 weeks or until maximum medical improvement is reached, whichever comes first. For catastrophic disability cases, such as total loss of a limb or eyesight, compensation payments may continue for the rest of the employee’s life.
Exceptions: Compensation claims may be denied if the employee’s injury was caused by misconduct, was self-inflicted, or occurred due to a non-compliance with specified safety regulations.
*Compensations vary extensively by case, due to the complexity of the laws. Seeking legal counsel is important in any worker's compensation claims case. If you’ve been hurt on the job, contact us today.
Long Term Disability Claims
Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance is meant to help workers who have become disabled due to an accident or illness which made them unable to work. LTD insurance differs from workers compensation in two ways: employers are not legally required to offer it, and it can apply to any debilitating injury or illness, even if the incident did not happen at work.
If your employer has an LTD plan, it is a good idea to become familiar with their policy. LTD policies vary extensively, and some policies may only be available for employees with certain qualifications. LTD plans will also vary by cost--some employers pay for the entire plan, while others only offer discounts to employees who want to purchase a plan themselves.
If you are on your employer’s LTD, the benefits will kick in after a short-term plan has run out, usually about six months after your initial injury. LTD benefits can cover up to 60% of your salary until the policy expires or you return to work. Most policies have a limit on how much pay you can receive per month and will max out at a certain time or dollar amount. If you can return to work, but are limited to a lower-paying job due to your disability, LTD may be available to supplement your income.
If you are planning to file a claim for LTD benefits, or are appealing a denial of benefits, it’s essential to consult an attorney who knows the intricacies of the process. WOLFORD & ROBINSON are prepared to advise you and advocate to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
Personal Injury
Personal injury cases usually involve injuries caused by someone else’s intentional, reckless, or neglectful behavior like drunk driving or medical malpractice. Personal injury claims must be filed within one year of the incident. Personal injury compensations can include the cost of medical care, lost wages from missed work, emotional damages, and more. However, it is important to have a good personal injury lawyer, as compensation outside of insurance coverage can only be had after filing a lawsuit. Laws regarding personal injury compensation are often complex. Fortunately, the attorneys at WOLFORD & ROBINSON have the experience and knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve.
When involved in a harmful incident, it’s a very good idea to carefully document the event through pictures, videos, etc. A personal injury victim must be able to prove they were hurt by another’s willful or negligent behavior. For example, if a truck driver runs a red light, and hits a car, the driver of the car can claim personal injury compensation, since they were not at fault. In order to obtain compensation for an injury, the injured party must be able to prove the other person in 50% or more at fault. This is determined on a case by case basis.
Personal injury cases can often be complex, so it’s important to have a good personal injury lawyer. If you’ve been injured in an incident and plan to seek compensation, contact WOLFORD & ROBINSON today for a consultation.

Divorce
Divorce
Making the decision to get divorced can be difficult and all divorce cases involve high emotion. At WOLFORD & ROBINSON, we understand the level of commitment it took for you to get married, and the conflicting feelings you can have about choosing to get divorced. Since 2002, we have represented thousands of people, and we will put that knowledge and experience to work for you in what can be a difficult process. While helping you work through your emotions, we will maintain focus in applying the facts of your case to the law to give you the best outcome possible. Sometimes we are able to settle cases. Other cases require a trial. No matter which way you choose to resolve your case, Our Chattanooga divorce attorneys will be with you every step of the way so that you can move on with your life with confidence and hope for a better future.
Services we provide:
- Fault-based and no-fault divorces
- Classification and division of separate and marital assets
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Legitimation of children
- Alimony and separate maintenance
CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Child Custody
Child Custody
Your kids are more important to you than anything in the world. You can’t imagine not seeing your kids every day. Helping with homework, giving baths, tucking them in their beds… It’s practically unbearable to think that you won’t share those important moments and times with them.
In child custody cases, nothing is more important than making sure your children are in the best situation possible to ensure that they have the best chance at being happy and healthy. At WOLFORD & ROBINSON, we have represented thousands of people since 2002. Parents trust our Chattanooga child custody attorneys. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

DUI - Criminal Defense
DUI - Criminal Defense
For most people, being arrested and charged with a crime is a scary experience. Our team at WOLFORD & ROBINSON has represented thousands of people charged with crimes - everything from traffic offenses all the way to First-Degree Murder. Our partners offer solid criminal defense and sound advice to anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side of the law. If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence or are facing other criminal charges, don’t leave it to chance. Our Chattanooga criminal defense attorneys are ready to help and licensed in: Tennessee, Georgia and United States District Courts of Tennessee. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
Tennessee Family Law Q & A
Tennessee follows a "comparative fitness" model in making child custody decisions. To assist judges in deciding which parent is the child's "Primary Residential Parent" ("PRP" - meaning the parent with whom the child spends 50% or more time) and which parent is the "Alternate Residential Parent" ("ARP" - meaning the parent with whom the child spends less than 50% of the time), the Tennessee Legislature has crafted a list of factors found at Tennessee Code Annotated 36-6-106 (click to read the factors).
Irreconcilable Differences - these are issues that you do not agree on and you're never going to agree on, which have an impact on your marriage. This is Tennessee's "non-fault" ground for divorce. All other grounds are fault-based.
Impotency - a party is incapable of procreation
Already Married - a person hasn't yet divorced and has remarried. The second marriage is void.
Adultery - either party has committed adultery
Desertion - a party has deserted the other party without good cause
Felony Conviction - a party has been convicted of a crime that carries one year or more on probation or in prison
Attempted Murder - a party attempts to murder the other party
Refusal to Move to TN - a party refuses to move to Tennessee and such refusal lasts 2 years or longer
Pregnancy by Another - the wife was pregnant by another man at the time of the marriage without the knowledge of the husband
Habitual Drunkenness - a party is habitually drunk or high on drugs, and the party adopted the habit after the marriage
Cruel and Inhuman Treatment - a party is guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment towards the other; also referred to as "inappropriate marital conduct"
Indignities - a party has offered indignities to the other party as to render that party's position intolerable
Refusal to Support/Neglect - a party has turned their spouse "out of doors" and/or has refused to support the spouse despite the ability to do so
2-Year Separation - the parties have lived in two separate residences for at least 2 years
You may. Under Tennessee Code Annotated 36-4-112, people whose spouses are suing them for divorce based upon adultery may defend the action if certain conditions exist in which the complaining spouse agreed to or promoted promiscuous conduct on the part of the other spouse.
The divorcing couples' property, whether real or personal property, will be divided into "Separate Property" and "Marital Property." Generally speaking, all assets you owned before the marriage are your "separate property." You get to keep those. All assets which were obtained during the marriage are "marital property" and those will be subject to and "equitable division" by the Court. "Equitable" does not always mean "equal."
When parents divorce, unless the parties can agree on shared custody of children, at trial, the court will name one parent the Primary Residential Parent and the other parent the Alternate Residential Parent. Under a "standard" parenting plan, the Primary Residential Parent will have the children all the time except every other weekend and, in the week when the children will not come to the Alternate Residential Parent's house for the upcoming weekend, the children will come spend the night (usually on Wednesday night). The Court will also divide holidays and school vacation times among the parents.
In deciding who is Primary Residential Parent and who is the Alternate Residential Parent, Tennessee law requires the Court to look at a number of factors, all of which are geared towards the "best interests of the child." Some of those factors are the emotional ties between each parent and the child; each parent's earning capacity; each parent's ability to provide the children with food, clothing, shelter, and to foster educational needs; the children's interaction with siblings while with each parent; the character of third parties living in each home; each parent's employment schedule; and any other reasonable factor the Judge deems appropriate.
Under Tennessee law, the Judge will take into consideration, among all the other factors indicated above, the reasonable preference of a child 12 years or older. This is not to say that a child age 12 or older gets to "decide who he/she lives with," but the Judge will consider it among all other relevant factors. The Court is also permitted to listen to the preference of a child under 12, but the preference of a child who is 12 or older is usually given more weight.
Under Tennessee law, if a parent wants to move with the children more than 50 miles away from the other parent, the moving parent has to give the other parent at least 60-days' written notice prior to the relocation. If the other parent objects, he/she will have to file a Petition in Opposition to the relocation and ask the Judge to order the party not to move away with the children. The Judge will then conduct a hearing and take several factors into consideration before deciding whether to allow the party to move with the children or not.
In Tennessee, Alternate Residential Parents have the following rights:
- The right to unimpeded telephone calls with the children at least twice per week at reasonable times and for reasonable durations;
- The right to send mail to the children, which the other parent shall not destroy or otherwise interfere with.
- The right to receive notice, at least 24 hours in advance, of any doctor's visit, hospitalization, or illness of the child.
- The right to receive notice, as soon as practicable, of any emergency involving the child.
- The right to receive school records regarding the children directly from the school.
- The right to receive any medical, dental, or other health-related records directly from the child's healthcare providers.
- The right to receive notice of any extracurricular activities such as games, recitals, and the like. If the other parent enrolled the child in such activity, the enrolling parent has to provide at least 48 hours' notice of such activities to the other parent.
- The right to receive notice and an itinerary from the other parent if the other parent is taking the child out of state for more than 48 hours.
- The right to access the child during school lunch and other activities .
- Any other rights the Judge deems appropriate and reasonable.
The short answer is you should at least consider it. And you should definitely do a prenuptial agreement in the following situations: (1) you and/or your spouse-to-be have kids from an earlier marriage and you want to protect their inheritance; (2) one party has a great deal more property than the other party; (3) both parties have significant income or property; or (4) one or both parties are likely to acquire significant property in the future (for example: medical or law students who marry while in school).
If you live in Tennessee, you can get an Order of Protection from your county Circuit Court. These orders can do a lot of things to protect you, including order your abuser not to come around you for any reason at all, not to contact you in any way and for any reason, give you exclusive rights to any shared residence, and required the abuser to pay for the costs associated with obtaining the Order. Also, if the abuser violates the Order, he/she can be arrested and charged with a Class-A misdemeanor, which carries up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, among other punishments.
If the Custodial Parent (aka the "Primary Residential Parent") refuses to comply with the Court's order regarding the visitation rights of the Non-Custodial Parent (aka the "Alternate Residential Parent"), the Alternate Residential Parent may do two things: First, the Alternate Residential Parent may seek to have the Primary Residential Parent held in contempt of court and ordered to make up the lost time, pay the Alternate Residential Parent's attorney's fees and court costs incurred in filing the contempt action, and even serve time in jail. Second, Tennessee parents have a new non-exclusive remedy for noncompliance with a visitation order that is available to both parents. That remedy is the suspension, revocation, or denial of any license held by the non-complying parent, other than a driver's license, which is issued by the State of Tennessee. There is a very specific procedure that has to be followed, but this is a way that Tennessee courts may punish parties who refuse to comply with court orders regarding visitation. The statute which allows this is found at T.C.A. 36-6-502.
Legal separation is appropriate when a party and his/her spouse need to live apart for a while, yet one spouse wants the other to provide financial support. This is used when the parties are "working on" their marriage and have hopes of reconciling in the future, but the disadvantaged spouse needs the Court to step in and order the other spouse to provide financial support during the separation. The grounds for legal separation are the same as those for divorce.
Tennessee follows the doctrine of "equitable distribution of assets." "Equitable" does not necessarily mean "equal." The court will classify all property as either "separate" or "marital" property. "Separate property" is what you owned before you got married. "Marital property" is all property the couple obtained during the marriage. The parties get to keep their "separate property" and the court will divide the "marital property." The court will not "punish" a party who is found to be at fault in the divorce by giving the "innocent" party all of the marital assets. There is a law which prohibits this.
Alimony is a complicated area of law, and there are 4 different kinds of alimony recognized in Tennessee. Those are (1) Alimony in solido (aka "lump sum alimony"); (2) Alimony in futuro (aka "periodic alimony"); (3) Transitional alimony; and (4) Rehabilitative alimony. T.C.A. 36-5-121 is the Tennessee code section dealing with alimony, and you can read it here. Just be aware that alimony can have a dramatic effect on your standard of living, for the better if you're the recipient or for the worse if you're ordered to pay it. Also, "periodic alimony" lasts until the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient, so it can be a lifelong obligation.
Child custody determinations can get complicated, especially when a parent moves the child to another state. Basically, you have 6 months to file your action in the state where the child lived for 6 months or longer. If you wait for longer than 6 months, then you have to file the action in the state in which the child has lived for 6 months.