Memphians Losing Homes Due to Tax Sales Most people probably remember the eviction and foreclosure limits during COVID. Federal and local governments allowed people to stay in their homes during all the shutdowns and school closures. However, according to a recent WMC report, Memphis foreclosure from tax sales continued through the pandemic and impacted the entire city. Here’s what happened, what tax sales might mean for you, and what to do if you can’t pay your tax debt. The Basics: Tax Sales in Memphis Generally speaking, state and federal regulations stopped most foreclosures during the pandemic. This meant even if you couldn’t pay your mortgage, you might be able to stay in your home. The government made this decision because
Intersections Known for Memphis Motorcycle Accidents There are a few infamous locations known for motorcycle accidents in Memphis. While lane-changes on the highway, impaired driving, and other factors lead to crashes as well, some places in town tend to be higher risk for a few different reasons. Our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers have seen a number of dangerous scenarios take place in these specific Memphis intersections. Here’s what you need to know. High-Speed Memphis Intersections According to WMC Action News 5, the most dangerous intersections in Memphis tend to center around I-240 and I-40: Walnut Grove and I-240 Sycamore View and I-40 Lamar Avenue and I-240 Poplar Avenue and I-240 I-240 and I-55 Because they involve the interstate ramps,
How Does Memphis Fare in SSDI Application Wait Times? If you’ve sent in a Memphis SSDI application to cover your financial needs from a disability, you may wonder how long you’ll have to wait. Across the country, some districts have reported outrageous wait times which leave applicants in an infuriating position. So how does Memphis compare, and what can you expect? Different Wait Times for Different Districts In general, SSDI approval takes some time. However, some districts require more time than others. Each district has its own office, staff, and bureaucracy to deal with. Some offices have more staff than others. Some are better managed than the district just next door. And across the board, the SSA lacks funding for
TN Wage Garnishment Laws: What to Know If you’re facing wage garnishment, you’re often at the mercy of your state’s laws. TN wage garnishment has its own regulations. So how do those laws fare against other states? And what can you do if your wages are being garnished? Understanding Federal Wage Garnishment Laws Federal law sets a standard for state wage garnishment laws. It allows creditors to garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings. This means no state can allow creditors to take more than 25% or 30 times the federal minimum wage (whichever one is greater) to cover your basic consumer debts. The regulation doesn’t include taxes and child support, which fall under different laws. The system to
A trust holds a legal title for property with a benefit for another person. The individual who establishes a trust is called the grantor, who then appoints a manager, known as a trustee, to oversee their assets and protect them. Essentially, this arrangement means that one person is holding assets for the benefit of someone else throughout their lifetime, and thereafter distributes assets based on the grantor’s wishes. The grantor can become the trustee and then appoint a successor trustee, but then what does a trustee even do? A trustee has a fiduciary duty to protect the assets in an estate, distribute the trust as instructed, administer trust terms, remain loyal to beneficiaries and communicate with them, keep track records
Estate Planning Lawyer If you or a loved one needs assistance with an estate plan, reach out to an estate planning lawyer clients trust to ensure their future is planned for. There seems to be quite a bit of ambiguity surrounding estate plans. The following are 4 common myths regarding estate planning and attorneys specializing in estate planning law. Estate plans are easy to make and can be done by yourself without the legal help of an attorney. Although some try to accomplish their estate plan by themselves, the assumption that planning an estate is an easy endeavor is false. Many components make up an estate plan including medical directives, a living will, a plan for children, as well as,
When Truck Cargo Becomes a Liability Sometimes when we think about road safety, we forget one of the biggest dangers: what trucks and other vehicles are hauling. Fortunately, our attorneys know all about cargo liability in Memphis truck accidents. The Community Risks of Carrying Hazardous Materials Trucks are the most dangerous vehicles on the road for one simple reason: their size. When something goes wrong with a big truck, everyone around it is at risk. However, we often overlook the other most dangerous part of 18-wheelers and other large trucks. They carry a variety of cargo that can often be just as dangerous as the truck itself. Many trucks in the Memphis area carry hazardous materials, and in the case
What Happens When a Company Refuses Your Workers’ Comp Claim? When a company refuses to pay for your work injury, it can be incredibly frustrating. Sadly, for a lot of people in Memphis, it’s also extremely common. But a refused workers’ comp claim doesn’t mean the end of the road. The Commercial Appeal recently published an in-depth investigation into the Tennessee workers’ comp system. While their findings may infuriate you, you have options to fight back. What we do every day at Darrell Castle & Associates could make all the difference for you if your claim has been denied. TN State Fines Don’t Stop Companies from Wrongfully Denying Your Claim The investigation looked at paperwork for denied workers’ comp claims
Understanding the Memphis Bankruptcy Rates If you need to file bankruptcy in Memphis, you aren’t alone. For a lot of different reasons, our city and state have a high filing rate. Tennessee Ranks High for Bankruptcy According to Experian, in 2021, the state of Tennessee ranked 5th in the country for consumer (personal) bankruptcy. On average, 1.1 out of every one thousand people in TN filed bankruptcy. What’s worse: the average Tennessee household had $83,508 in debt. This includes medical bills, student debt, credit cards, and more. In general, bankruptcies have been going down nationwide over the last couple of decades and plummeted during COVID. But that wasn’t true for the state of Tennessee. We were one of the only
Baby Formula Cases Are Wrongful Death Cases If you’ve suffered a wrongful death due to baby formula, you deserve to know the truth about what happened to your child. Our Memphis firm is working with victims to get justice, and we can help you, too. One Client’s Journey We currently have a client named Darla who never thought she’d work with someone like us in a million years. She assumed personal injury lawyers were bogus, and until recently, she would never dream of suing anyone. Then, soon after giving birth to a premature baby, Darla lost her child to NEC. NEC is a terrible digestive disease affecting premature babies. It usually requires extensive treatment. After attempting IVs and major surgery,