Areas of Practice
Comprehensive Legal Help Across a Range of Areas
SERVICESLegal Services from Litigation to Estate Planning
At our law firm, we offer a wide range of legal services tailored to your needs. From litigation to business transactions and estate planning, our experienced attorneys provide advice and representation. With a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, we're here to be your trusted legal partners.
Probate Conservatorship and Estate
The firm provides services in handling estates through the probate process and writing wills and powers of attorney for individuals. We also have served as guardian ad litems in matters as well as conservators of persons through Chancery and Circuit Court.
Family Law
Family law includes:
Marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships
Divorces and termination of relationships
Adoptions
Child support
Custody and visitation
Property settlements
Juvenile court matters
Orders of protection
Paternity and paternity fraud
The firm’s attorneys handle these cases in the courts in Knox County as well as surrounding counties in East Tennessee.
Patti Jane Lay has heard over 1,000 cases as a special master in KnoxCounty 4th Circuit Court on a volunteer basis and has used that experience to provide helpful insights to resolving family law issues in an efficient and positive way.
Marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships
Divorces and termination of relationships
Adoptions
Child support
Custody and visitation
Property settlements
Juvenile court matters
Orders of protection
Paternity and paternity fraud
The firm’s attorneys handle these cases in the courts in Knox County as well as surrounding counties in East Tennessee.
Patti Jane Lay has heard over 1,000 cases as a special master in KnoxCounty 4th Circuit Court on a volunteer basis and has used that experience to provide helpful insights to resolving family law issues in an efficient and positive way.
Mediation
Mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution has become a significant part of trial practice in the areas of Family Law and civil cases.
j0285015According to the American Bar Association, there can be a number of benefits to mediation, depending on the case and situation.
The decision remains with the involved parties. The people who have the conflict have the responsibility for coming up with a solution to the problem at hand. The mediator doesn’t make the decision; he or she helps with the discussion process. Because the decision remains with the parties, you don’t take chances with the court’s decision.
Instead of a decision, the focus is on needs and interests. The ABA notes that mediation examines the underlying causes of the problem and looks at what solutions can resolve them.
Mediation allows for relationships to continue. For divorcing parents with children, business partners who have shared interests, family members, and others, mediation can avoid the hostility that comes from a court decision and let the parties involved look to the future.
Mediation is faster. The process is often much quicker and less expensive than court trials.
Mediation is private. Unlike court proceedings, the results do not have to be publicly disclosed.
Mediation takes parties’ feelings into account. This can help dispell emotions that may have led to the conflict in the first place.
Mediation is less formal than court proceedings. Again, this can help people focus on the problem and possible solutions.
Mediation often leads to higher satisfaction. The ABA reports that participants in mediation note higher satisfaction rates than people who go to court. Mediations end in agreement 70 to 80% of the time and have high rates of compliance. And because parties participate in the resolution, they are more likely to abide by the terms of the mediation.
j0285015According to the American Bar Association, there can be a number of benefits to mediation, depending on the case and situation.
The decision remains with the involved parties. The people who have the conflict have the responsibility for coming up with a solution to the problem at hand. The mediator doesn’t make the decision; he or she helps with the discussion process. Because the decision remains with the parties, you don’t take chances with the court’s decision.
Instead of a decision, the focus is on needs and interests. The ABA notes that mediation examines the underlying causes of the problem and looks at what solutions can resolve them.
Mediation allows for relationships to continue. For divorcing parents with children, business partners who have shared interests, family members, and others, mediation can avoid the hostility that comes from a court decision and let the parties involved look to the future.
Mediation is faster. The process is often much quicker and less expensive than court trials.
Mediation is private. Unlike court proceedings, the results do not have to be publicly disclosed.
Mediation takes parties’ feelings into account. This can help dispell emotions that may have led to the conflict in the first place.
Mediation is less formal than court proceedings. Again, this can help people focus on the problem and possible solutions.
Mediation often leads to higher satisfaction. The ABA reports that participants in mediation note higher satisfaction rates than people who go to court. Mediations end in agreement 70 to 80% of the time and have high rates of compliance. And because parties participate in the resolution, they are more likely to abide by the terms of the mediation.
Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative divorce is a relatively new practice field in the Knoxville area.
The concept behind collaborative divorce is that both parties hire attorneys trained in collaborative divorce to negotiate a fair settlement of the issues of the marriage, including property, debt and issues involving the children. Both parties agree to come to a resolution of their case without going through the traditional advocacy litigation process. The use of financial experts and mental health counselors may be used to help resolve the issues.
The concept behind collaborative divorce is that both parties hire attorneys trained in collaborative divorce to negotiate a fair settlement of the issues of the marriage, including property, debt and issues involving the children. Both parties agree to come to a resolution of their case without going through the traditional advocacy litigation process. The use of financial experts and mental health counselors may be used to help resolve the issues.
Civil & Business Litigation
Lay & Baugh’s attorneys have litigated all forms of personal injury and property damage cases, including:
Motor vehicle accidents
Product liability
Employment law
Medical negligence
Premises liability.
The firm also has experience in business litigation including contract disputes and debt collections. Combined, Lay & Baugh attorneys have litigation experience of over 78 years in both state and Federal courts.
Motor vehicle accidents
Product liability
Employment law
Medical negligence
Premises liability.
The firm also has experience in business litigation including contract disputes and debt collections. Combined, Lay & Baugh attorneys have litigation experience of over 78 years in both state and Federal courts.
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