- DivorceThe legal side of a divorce can seem confusing and complicated. We work to make the process as seamless as possible. Our firm has the skills and experience necessary to guide you through even the most complicated and contested divorce as efficiently as possible.
- Child SupportAt Horton, Ballard & Pemerton, we provide comprehensive legal representation during family law disputes. Whether you need help during a divorce or enforcing a child support order, we will make sure your interests are protected.
- Child Custody and VisitationAs you work toward a child custody arrangement, it’s important to have skilled legal representation. The child custody lawyers serving Chattanooga at Horton, Ballard & Pemerton will make sure your parental rights are protected.
- PaternityFor unmarried fathers in Chattanooga, TN, determining paternity may not be enough to ensure adequate time with their children. You also must convince the family court in TN that awarding you additional time is in your child’s best interest. Our child custody lawyers in Chattanooga can represent a father seeking child custody modification or establishing paternity.
- Premarital AgreementProcess can be difficult and the way in which a couple ends up dividing their assets can be contentious. Some couples try to work these potentially thorny issues out in advance. The legal mechanisms for doing so are prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, also known as “prenups†and postnups."
- GuardianshipAn estate plan allows you to give healthcare directives. This ensures that, in the event you become mentally incapacitated, any actions taken are in accord with your wishes. The estate plan is where you set up a trust–perhaps there’s a grandchild you want to ensure has money for college tuition. Depending on the age of your own children, you may also lay out instructions for their guardianship.
- Spousal SupportOur Chattanooga lawyers are experienced in family law, whether you need to file for divorce, set up a marital agreement or work out difficult issues on property division and alimony.
- Wrongful DeathBill Pemerton earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2000 and was awarded his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2005. Bill has maintained a substantial litigation practice, with a concentration in personal injury, wrongful death family law, and general litigation. He was recently listed as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 general civil and family mediator.
- Corporate Law
- Business FormationHorton, Ballard & Pemerton represents both small and large businesses in and around the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area. Our attorneys help companies on a variety of legal matters, including business formation issues, asset purchases and litigation.
- Business DisputesBusiness owners must sometimes be prepared to take a conflict to trial. From contract disputes to employee lawsuits, Horton, Ballard & Pemerton litigators can aggressively pursue your best interests in the courtroom. The attorneys at Horton, Ballard & Pemerton have substantial experience in litigating business disputes of all types in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels. We can handle large, complex matters, yet are small enough that each case receives individual attention.
- Business TransactionsCarol Ballard graduated from Chattanooga’s own UTC and was awarded her J.D. from the University of Tennessee — Knoxville in 1997. Carol has an active appellate practice and also handles business transactions, business formations, estate planning and probate.
- Limited Liability CompaniesMuch of the work we do for our business clients involves the legal matters required to start a company. Our attorneys get involved from the very beginning with advice to help structure the company. Our firm is well-versed in the creation of various business entities, including limited liability companies, corporations, limited partnerships and general partnerships. We also assist clients in obtaining the various registrations and licensing required by federal, state and local laws.
- Employment ContractFrom employment contracts to asset purchase agreements, contracts are used in almost all aspects of running a business. These legal documents can be difficult to understand but can have substantial and far reaching consequences. We can assist with contract negotiations and handle the drafting of the terms agreed to by the parties.
- Real Estate LitigationHorton, Ballard & Pemerton, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been working on cases both locally and statewide for many years. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. William Horton earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1971. Bill is a Tennessee native and has been in private practice for nearly 50 years. His practice is composed mainly of commercial real estate law, domestic and family law, divorce, mediation, and business law.
- Premises LiabilityPremises liability: Those injured in or around local businesses due to a dangerous condition on the premises may recover for their losses.
- Construction LitigationHorton, Ballard & Pemerton also represents clients in a wide variety of real estate disputes and litigation, including the following: breach of contract, broker disputes, construction defects, easement and boundary disputes, eminent domain/condemnation, homeowners association disputes, land use disputes, and zoning issues.
- Real Estate TransactionsThe attorneys at Horton, Ballard & Pemerton represent buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in real estate transactions. Our real estate attorneys provide legal assistance for acquisitions, complex financing transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, commercial leasing, contract drafting and negotiations.
- Eminent Domain
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Property DamageWe can work with you on that property damage claim where the adjuster is seeking to lower the value of what was damaged. We also represent professionals who need to purchase insurance coverage like Errors & Omission (E&O), such as doctors, insurance agents and financial planners. Individuals who work as the director of a board may require Directors & Officers insurance to protect them under certain circumstances.
- Personal InjuryBill Pemerton earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2000 and was awarded his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama in 2005. Upon graduation from Cumberland, he was honored with a Certificate of Trial Advocacy and has since maintained a substantial litigation practice in both Tennessee and Alabama. His practice includes personal injury, family law, and general litigation. He was recently listed as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 general civil and family mediator.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningGood estate planning should produce a comprehensive plan, utilizing a variety of legal and financial tools to ensure your instructions and wishes are fulfilled in the future.
- WillsEstate planning and business implications: Our attorneys will advise you regarding the implications of divorce on important estate planning matters like wills and trusts, and how your divorce will affect your business in Tennessee.
- Trusts
- Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Tax LawAfter a married couple decides to file for divorce in Chattanooga, the next step is to determine how the legal aspects of the divorce will be handled. Most people in Tennessee, aren’t prepared to deal with it by themselves and need an experienced divorce lawyer to advise them along the way and to handle the details. It’s especially important for each spouse to have a family law attorney if the couple’s estate is large. The distribution of assets involves tactical legal considerations like tax planning.