The Law Office of J. Wesley Atkinson, PC

The Law Office of J. Wesley Atkinson, PC Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Law Office of J. Wesley Atkinson, PC, Lawyer & Law Firm, 107 2nd Avenue NE, Ste. C, Decatur, AL.

A practicing attorney in the North Alabama area with 14 years experience in Real Estate Closings, Property Litigation, and Contract and Legal Document Formation and Drafting.

09/04/2026

Happy Friday!! 😀 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten
Source | Star Trek Humour

It's our first Friday in September and we just had to share a great punny from Star Trek about dental care. Every so often, we share a l cool post to recognize Wes' wife Kimberly Welden, whose practice is located here in Decatur!!

This month just happens to be National Gum Care Month! 🧐Yes, I know....I work in this industry, who knew there were so many days to celebrate canines....(yes, it was intentional), let alone our mouths! 🤣

In fact, there are 20 main days that recognize different aspects of oral care, wellness and disease prevention.....plus the addtional two Tooth Fairy 🧚‍♂️days.....brings us to 22 days for bringing awareness to our teeth and overall oral wellness!

As for Captain Kirk requesting Spock brush with him.....well, it takes more than just brushing once a day to prevent cavities and gum disease. Of course, he could of asked any of a number of other aliens to assist him....perhaps a Klingon.....or Ferengi?....well, maybe not!!🤪😳

We wish you a great Friday, a wonderful weekend and always remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"🙂

09/02/2026

Happy Wednesday!! 😀 IT'S SELF-CARE AWARENESS MONTH!😊
Creator | C. Knighten

It's hard to believe that September has already arrived ....it seems like yesterday that we just celebrated the New Year!!?? My mother mentioned to me....on more than one ocassion....that at some point in my life I would reach the 'generation-gap' age?

According to my Mom....that meant....instead of anticipating Christmas....Christmas would be upon me, as if time had somehow warped into the future and left me in it's dust. I am not quite positive how this actually occurs....perhaps there is a black hole involved ....scientists are not sharing how this happens....but, I will find out!! 😆

I think her point was...as we get older, time seems to fly by. We have so many different directions that we are moving in, it can become overwhelming. That is why it is super important that you are taking the time to practice Self-Care.

The entire month of September is dedicated to bringing awareness to setting aside time for your own 'self-care'! We often neglect our own wants and needs when we are caring for others whether that is our children, family or our business. It is easy to put others' needs before our own....but it is crucial to remember, that we cannot fill another cup if our vessel is empty!🤔 While getting a massage or getting away for the weekend are greatl examples of taking time for our own well-being, self-care can be more than that.

LITTLE WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE!
🤯TAKE A BRAIN BREAK:
Step away from your screens and do nothing for 5-10 minutes.
☕️REFRESH YOURSELF:
Mindfully sip a cup of hot tea..... or a glass of water.
🚶‍♀️GET MOVING:
Stand up.....stretch. Take a few minutes for some light yoga or better yet, step outside and take a walk for 10 minutes.
🌬️BREATHE:
Practice taking a few deep breaths.....imagine you are letting all of your stress out each time you exhale.
🚪SET BOUNDARIES:
It is 'okay' to say "no" . Whether you don't have time today or whether you are not in the mood....it is okay!!
🎶LISTEN TO MUSIC:
Put on a calming playlist or your favorite artist.
💦WASH YOUR FACE:
Yes, it sounds silly, but a cool splash of refreshing water on your face.....ahhhhh!! Can actually be reviving!!

These are easy things you can do daily....to give yourself a little pick-me up.....make a point to do them and above all....remember that having an "Attitude of Gratitude"....helps fill your own cup every single day!!

We wish you a great day and always know, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"😀

08/31/2026

Happy Monday!!😀 PROS AND CONS OF OWNER FINANCING🤔
Creator | C. Knighten

The basics: Owner financing / Seller Finaincing in Alabama, lets you act like the lender and allows the buyer pay you directly over time instead of getting a traditional mortgage.

HOW THIS WORKS:
📑The Deed and Mortgage:
The buyer usually gets the deed/title at closing but, signs a promissory note and a mortgage, also known as a deed of trust, back to you. If they default, you go through a foreclosure process like a standard bank.
📑Alternative Contracts:
You can also use a land contract, otherwise known as a 'bond for title', where you keep the legal title until the final payment is made. Please note, this carries different legal rules in Alabama.

PROS FOR SELLERS:
💵Steady Income:
You turn your equity into a stream of monthly payments, often earning interest on the balanced owed.
💲Faster Sales: You skip lengthy bank appraisals and underwriting, meaning the deal can close in days rather then weeks or a month.
Larger Buyer Pool: You attract credit-worthy buyers who might struggle to meet strict institutional bank guidelines

CONS FOR SELLERS:
😡Risk of Buyer Default:
If the buyer stops making payments, you do not automatically get the house back; you must go through the formal foreclosure process, which can be long and expensive.
🧐Loss of Lien Priority (Alabama Specific):
Under Alabama law (Alabama Code §§ 40-22-1 through 40-22-12), if you fail to record the purchase money mortgage at the same closing session as the deed, you can lose your 'ien priority' to any outside creditor who records their claim first.
🏘️Property Damage and Maintenance:
Should the buyer default or ruin the home during the term, you will regain a damaged property that must repaired at your expense before starting the sales process again.
💵Tied-Up Capital:
Instead of receiving a single lump sum at closing like a traditional sale, your money is tied up in a monthly income stream over years or a large balloon payment later.
💸Foreclosure and Legal Costs:
Drafting non-compliant or incorrectly sequenced closing documents creates serious legal exposure and requires hiring real estate attorneys to fix or enforce.
🧐Due-on-Sale Complications:
If you still owe money on an existing mortgage for the property, offering owner financing can trigger your own lender's 'due-on-sale clause', forcing you to immediately pay off your loan pay!

While this is often a very tempting approach when you need to move your property more quickly....it comes with several downfalls that should be considered very carefully before proceeding!

“No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

We wish you a great day and always know, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"😀

08/28/2026

Happy Friday!! 😀 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten
Source | Star Trek Humour

The weekend is only one day away and we are bringing you another great punny from Star Trek Humour, to ensure you have a great Dad Joke to share with your family!! Of course, with this one.....depending on the age of your children....you might have to share exactly what the 'Dark Ages' were first!🙃

While there is much we should consider from our history, as it provides some very profound lessons.....there is also the lighter side of history. For example....consider how Monty Python, lead by John Cleese looked at the world!

True, I simply couldn't help myself, as they are one of my favorites.....a little warped all wrapped in great slapstick humor! WE are the Knights of "Ni".....did you bring your 🌳(yes, I know it's a tree....they don't have a shrubbery?!)🤪🤯

Galloping through the forest without horses....while making clopping sounds with coconut shells.....quite hysterical actually. They are brilliant, absurd and have a bizarre gift for dialogue that entertains!!

Note that the play on words here today, is a matter of a single letter, brought to you by the letter 'k'. One's night is not another's knight....right?? 😆🤣 We hope you will enjoy sharing this punny with your kids!

We wish you a great Friday, a wonderful weekend and always remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"🙂

08/26/2026

Happy Wednesday!! 😀 IT'S NATIONAL DOG 🐶 DAY!!🐕
Creator | C. Knighten

Each year on August 26th we celebrate National Dog Day to commemorate our very best furry companions! We set this day aside each yeare to encourage shelter adoptions, promote responsible pet ownership.....because of the unconditional love dogs bring into our lives.

GREAT PLACES TO ADOPT IN MORGAN AND MADISON COUNTIES:
🔺Decatur Animal Services: 300 A, Beltline Road SW, Decatur, AL 35601
🔺Morgan County Animal Control: 1314 Industrial Drive SE, Hartselle, AL 35640
🔺Greater Huntsville Humane Society: 2812 Johnson Road B, Huntsville, AL 35805
🔺Ark, Inc. Shelter: 139 Bo Cole Road NW, Huntsville, AL 35806

GREAT WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL DOG DAY!
🐕‍🦺LET'S GO FOR A WALK!
The hardest part about this....picking a cooler time of day!! Please keep in mind how hot both the pavement and sidewalks are in this kind of heat. Unless you have booties to help protect their pads....wait until it has cooled off!!
🐩PAMPER THEM!
Take your fur baby for a Pup Cup! They serve then at Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, or Bark HSV!
🐕QUALITY TIME!!
You are the Alpha...and that means your pup needs some one-on-one time with you. Throwing the ball in the back yard....wrestling in the living room (depends on the size of your pup) or just kicking back and relaxing on the couch for some belly rubs.

No matter how you share your love for them....they are your furry best friend for life!! Have a great day and share photos of your Fur Baby!! 🐶

08/24/2026

Happy Monday!!😀 "PREMEDITATED" PROPERTY LAW??🤔
Creator | C. Knighten

Yes, typically we think of "premeditation" as a concept belonging to criminal law....for example: first-degree murder or planned theft..... rather than civil property law. However, calculated, intentional, or planned actions heavily influence civil property disputes, torts tied to land, and real estate litigation.🧑‍⚖️

EQUIVALENTS FOR PREMEDITATION IN PROPERTY LAW INLCLUDE:
🔸Malice
🔸Bad Faith
🔸Intent
🔸Deliberate Plannning....in specific cases!

While courts do not use the term "premeditation" for property disputes...the terms above are indicative of 'premeditation"!

LEGAL TERMS RELATED TO PROPERTY LAW:
🔸INTENTIONAL ADVERSE POSSESSION:
This occurs when a trespasser occupies land on purpose rather than by mistake, knowing they have no legal right. Some states weigh this deliberate trespass when evaluating "bad-faith claims" versus color of title.
🔸WILLFUL AND CALCULATED WASTE:
When a tenant or life tenant purposefully damages, destroys, or depletes the value of a property (such as stripping fixtures or mining resources) with full forethought.
🔸PREPLANNED CRIMINAL ACTS ON PREMISES (LANDOWNER LIABILITY):
In tort cases tied to real estate negligence, courts evaluate whether a criminal attack on a property was targeted and preplanned. A prearranged, premeditated vendetta by an outsider can sometimes break the legal chain of causation, shielding a landlord from liability for failing to stop it.
🔸FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCES:
When a property owner deliberately plans and transfers real estate titles to a third party ahead of time to hide assets from creditors or a spouse during a divorce.
🔸MALICIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE /INTENTIONAL NUISANCE:
Civil suits where a neighbor builds a "spite" fence or deliberately alters water drainage with the calculated intent to harm an adjacent property owner.

Each of these issues may arise with your property, regardless of whether it is residential or commercial. Should you experience any of the above problems, we highly recommend reaching out to a qualified attorney for immediate assistance.

“No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

We wish you a great day and always know, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"😀

08/21/2026

Happy Friday!! 😀 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten
Source | Star Trek Humour

There are two consistent things on Fridays......one, you will see a Dad Joke like post and two, it is typically from Star Trek Humour! Afterall, people like consistency and Dad Jokes more!

Today's Star Trek punny, is one that every lawyer ....especially those who defend 'alleged' criminals like to use.....the word "Premeditated!"

For clarity, here is Googles' definition: In the law, premeditated means a person thought about, planned, or considered a crime before they did it. It is the main factor that changes a regular murder charge into first-degree murder, which carries the harshest punishments like life in prison....🤪

Fortunately, there is no such thing in property law. However, there are such things in propterty disputes that evaluate similar concepts like: malice, bad faith, intent, or deliberate planning in specific contexts. We will evaluate these for factual post next week!

In the interim, we hope you enjoy this silly punny and will share it far and wide!!

We wish you a great Friday, a wonderful weekend and always remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"🙂

08/19/2026

Happy Wednesday! 😀 IT'S INTERNATIONAL BOWTIE DAY!!🎀
Creator | C. Knighten

Celebrated each year on August 19th, this day honors the versatile and enduring accessory that has shaped fashion for centuries.

Were you aware that only 10% of men regularly rock a bow tie🧐? With the other 90% sticking to standard neckties.

WHAT THE DATA SAYS:
🩺THE 'NO DANGLE" PROFESSIONALS:
Statistically, you are more likely to spot a bow tie on pediatricians, architects, and scientists. Why? Because a long, dangling tie is a workplace hazard around grabby babies, blueprint ink, and laboratory chemicals!
🧪THE GERM BUSTING BONUS:
Doctors who wear bow ties actually carry fewer germs from patient to patient simply because their neckwear never accidentally drags across a hospital bed.
🏥THE AGE SPLIT:
Regular wearers fall into two distinct camps....older traditionalists keeping a classic era alive, and younger individualists enjoy sportingtheir vintage style!
👔THE VIP PASS:
While long ties rule the boardroom, the bow tie completely owns the highest levels of formal fashion. You cannot legally enter a White Tie or true Black Tie event without one. 😎

We wish you a great day and remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"🙂

08/17/2026

Happy Monday!! 😀IT'S NATIONAL 👶BOOMERS RECOGNITION DAY!!👨‍🦳
Creator | C. Knighten
Source | Medium

Each year on August 17th, we celebrate that influential generation, called the "Baby Boomers"!! This generation was born in the post-World War II era, between 1946 and 1964. Take a moment to appreciate the significant contributions boomers have made to culture, economy, and society. Let's explore just a few of their major accomplishments!!

TECHNOLOGY & THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION:
🍎The co-founders of Apple,Inc., Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, revolutionized the world of personal computing...and trail blazed the way for many other companies.
🌍 Tim Berners-Lee, a true visionary, brought us the world-wide web!
💻Vint Cerf, helped design internet protocol.
🌟Core Impact: Transformed global communication, creating unprecedented data access and connectivity.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVISM;
👩‍⚖️Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Betty Friedan played instrumental roles in fighting racial segregation, gender inequality, and discrimination.
🪖Baby Boomers lead the way in protesting the Vietnam War, voicing their opposition and demanding a resolution for Peace!
👗Betty Friedan: Led second-wave feminism, successfully challenging institutional gender inequality.
🌟Core Impact: Forced systemic legal reforms and permanently reshaped the global political landscape.

CULTURAL COUNTERCULTURE & THE ARTS:
🎸Dylan, The Beatles, & Hendrix: Revolutionized music by embedding political defiance into popular culture.
🎥Coppola, Scorsese, & Spielberg: Created the "New Hollywood" era using gritty, groundbreaking cinematic techniques.
📘Morrison, Rushdie, & Angelou: Broke literary conventions to confront complex social and racial issues.
🌟Core Impact: Established personal freedom and individual expression as dominant modern values.

📈 ECONOMIC GROWTH & ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
🏭Bill Gates: Co-founded Microsoft, putting software on every desk and fueling global business productivity.
📦Jeff Bezos: Founded Amazon, reinventing global commerce, retail infrastructure, and supply chains.
🖱️Larry Page: Co-founded Google, organizing the world's information and defining digital search.
🌟Core Impact: Created millions of jobs while pioneering massive modern philanthropic organizations.

HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, & SOCIAL WELFARE:
🩺Medical Breakthroughs: Advanced preventive medicine, holistic health, and wellness industries to extend human lifespans.
🏫Academic Expansion: Flooded higher education systems, forcing universities to expand and diversify disciplines.
🌍Social Safety Nets: Spearheaded global nonprofits targeting poverty alleviation, human rights, and conservation.
🌟Core Impact: Built an inclusive educational system and established modern corporate social responsibility.

And believe it or not....while this touches on their ecomomic impact....it doesn't come close...cause Boomers are still influencing the market as you read this!

Have a great day and remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate the Boomers in your life"!!😀

08/14/2026

Happy Friday!! 😀 SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA LAUGH!!😂
Creator | C. Knighten
Source | Star Trek Humour

Friday has arrived with another opportunity to share a great punny with you!! This week's 'Dad Joke' from Star Trek Humour.....is a rather interesting one.

I truly enjoy these quips between Picard and Number 1! They certainly rank up there in the "Dad Joke Arena" for being utterly preposterous and silly!

Do you remember the old song Den Bones? 🧐 It is also called "Bone Dance" or "Dry Bones", and was a popular spiritual and children's nursery rhyme to help teach children about the human skeletal parts and how they are connected!

I remember hearing it and singing it as a child. In fact, it is still referenced today in a few ways:
🏫SCHOOLS & PRESCHOOLS:
Teachers use the song to help young children learn basic human anatomy, body parts, and how skeleton joints connect.
🎃HALLOWEEN:
Animated music videos, children's sing-alongs, and seasonal party playlists feature the song every October.
🎮POP CULTURE & GAMING:
Characters or skins named "Dem Bones" pop up in video games and on internet media!

Written in the 1920s and first recorded in 1928, the songwriters were African American authors, songwriters, and civil rights activiss: James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. Notably, they composed the piece as part of their work to document and elevate traditional spirituals as serious art! Considering that it has lasted for almost 100 years, I believe their work stands for itself!!

As to the punny by Picard and Number 1.....well it is quite 'Humerus'!! 😅😂🤣

We wish you a great Friday, a wonderful weekend and always remember, "We appreciate you, appreciate each other!"🙂

Address

107 2nd Avenue NE, Ste. C
Decatur, AL
35601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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