Clerking for a Memphis Divorce Attorney

A Day in the Life of a Law Clerk

As I conclude my third week as the “new law clerk” at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC, I am (pleasantly) surprised at the amount of experience I have already gained. It did not take me long to discover that clerks live a fast-paced life and must be prepared to take on any task at any given time. A typical day as a clerk could include running to Court to file documents, drafting pleadings and letters, or taking care of simple office tasks such as scanning and/or copying documents. A law clerk’s job description is innumerous.

                One of the greatest things about clerking at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC, however, is the relationship that the clerks have with the attorneys. Within my first week as a law clerk at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC, it became very apparent to me that Larry Rice and his associates genuinely care about involving and educating the clerks. Larry has allowed me to sit in on depositions and interviews with clients, and he has also taken me to Court to sit in on motion hearings.

                Although I have only been clerking for Rice, Amundsen and Caperton, PLLC. for three weeks, I am certain that my experiences here will leave me with invaluable knowledge that I could not learn in a classroom. The past three weeks have been a whirlwind, but I am excited for what the future holds for me as a law clerk at Rice, Amundsen and Caperton, PLLC.

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Alimony in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice speaks about Tennessee law for alimony.  Mr. Rice's lecture enlightens listeners on the reality of alimony, including the different types of alimony and the factors that influence the final rulings for alimony in divorce cases.  

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP9b7-U36VY

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on the facts about Snooping in a Divorce Case in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of not snooping in a divorce case. It can get you in a lot of trouble. Watch out because you could be charged with a criminal sanction. Snooping will hurt you, more than it can help you.

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZEjLcEBqxE

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Relocation in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of Relocation. Does the moving primary parent have a good reason to go? Mr. Rice recommends that you want to do what is in the best interest of the children.To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDRhQgxZH2c

The New Electronic Filing System

Electronic Filing in Shelby County, TN

Starting June 25, 2012, you will no longer have to race to the court house to get your documents filed and stamped by the clerk by 4:30pm. The Circuit Court and Chancery Court of Shelby County will implement a new electronic filing system on June 25^th. The web address for the new e-filing website is, www.efiling.shelbycountytn.gov. There is no fee for setting up a user account on the electronic filing website. Once the electronic filing system is implemented, you will be able to e-file documents until 11:59pm. The new system will send you an email notification every time you file a document. Attorneys can then forward these notifications to their clients in order to keep them informed and up-to-date on their case. Each document you upload to the website to be e-filed cannot be larger than 3mb. You also cannot upload more than five documents at a time.  One downside to the electronic filing system is the 2.5% convenience fee that you will be charged each time you e-file documents. This 2.5% fee will be used to pay credit card companies for the fees they charge for using their cards. The court will not make a profit by charging this fee. The new changes will likely take time to get used to, but embracing the changes could lead to a more efficient law practice.

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Property Division in Tennesse

Memphis, Tennessee Divorce Attorney Larry Rice gives an overview of how to divide property in divorce cases. He explains the two different types of property: separate property and marital property. Larry Rice defines separate property as any property acquired prior to the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during the marriage. He also discusses marital property and states that judges tend to consider other factors such as income and separate property when determining how to divide the spouse's marital property.

To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5Cwu4DRAvg

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Pendente Lite Hearings in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the purpose of Pendente Lite Support hearings in Tennessee. Pendente Lite, Latin for "pending litigation," is a good way to establish temporary child support until the final divorce hearing. Attorney Larry Rice explains that the Divorce Referee only considers income, expenses and the Child Support guidelines when deciding temporary support at the Pendente Lite hearings. Other factors that would contribute to granting a fault divorce in Tennessee do not hold much weight at a Pendente Lite hearing.To view this entire video, follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCGn4jOwpU

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Parenting Issues in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the importance of not involving children in the divorce process. He recommends still parenting together by emphasizing each parents' love for their children and by not criticizing the other spouse in front of the children. Larry Rice also addresses the main components and faults of the Child Support Worksheet in Tennessee. He concludes by reiterating his point to parent together and to not talk badly about the other spouse.To view the entire video, follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8mdqj1eUYA

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Marital Dissolution Agreements in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses how spouses should approach negotiating before signing the Marital Dissolution Agreement (MDA). He explains the complexity of the MDA and advises couples to seek counsel when it is time to draft the MDA. Larry Rice also suggests the appropriate setting for a successful negotiation between spouses before signing the Marital Dissolution Agreement.To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJsDofb0eiw

Clerking for a Memphis Divorce Attorney

           After 3 weeks of studying for finals, it is great to be back clerking at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton, PLLC.  I think the staff was ready for us to be back too.  Now I am gearing up for a summer full of learning about what it takes to be successful in the field of family law.  No longer will I see just a snapshot of a case, but the entire picture.  I look forward to observing cases progress from the initial client interview, strategy sessions, drafting of documents, motions, mediation and preparing for trial.  The nice thing about clerking at Rice, Amundsen, and Caperton PLLC is that I know that I will not be a passive learner.  I will actively participate in each stage of a case as well.  

Drafting documents is something that I need to improve on over the summer.  Luckily, I have the forms provided in Larry’s book as a great starting point.  Each time I get an assignment, I go right to Larry’s forms and they provide a solid foundation for the document I need to draft.  If you are clerking at a law firm this summer, are a new attorney dealing with family law, or are just looking for a quality book to make your practice more efficient and effective, I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Complete Guide to Divorce Practice by Larry Rice.  I am confident the forms will become a part of your daily drafting routine and will be invaluable to your work this summer. 

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Legal Separation and Annulment in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice defines legal separation and annulment. He explains that couples usually resort to legal separation because they are avoiding accepting the fact that the marriage is over and they need a divorce. However, under rare circumstances legal separation can be a good thing. Larry Rice also discusses annulments and describes them as alternatives to divorce when you find that the marriage was void from the beginning.

To view the entire video, follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue6wmCnit-I

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Grounds for Divorce in Tennessee

Attorney Larry Rice discusses the various legal grounds for divorce including, but not limited to, adultery, habitual abuse of alcohol or narcotics, living separately for more than two years, willful or malicious desertion, conviction of a felony, bigamy, and inappropriate marital conduct, which is the most common ground for divorce. He also defines fault and no-fault divorces, explaining the differences between the two types.To view the entire video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4KaKl7OUMA

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice: on Domestic Violence in Tennessee

Memphis Divorce Attorney Larry Rice discusses the twists and turns of abusive relationships and the vicious cycle that couples in violent relationships become caught in. He also discusses the effects of spousal abuse on children and how the parent can take initiative and get out of the situation before the effects on the children and family escalate.

To view the complete video, please follow the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04mFE_t0TY