Finch McEwen Law

05/30/2026

Oldie but goodie. Ms. Emma B says “call my mom and her team for all your family law needs! “

05/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DrWXzMM5g/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Tennessee’s ban on kratom goes into effect on July 1, after lawmakers classified the substance as “gas station heroin.”

The upcoming ban is creating challenges for both retailers and addiction treatment providers. Many stores are expected to lose significant revenue, while health professionals are concerned that removing kratom could lead some users to return to stronger opioids.

Kratom, sold in forms such as powders and capsules, has been used by some people for pain relief and to help reduce opioid dependence. However, it also carries risks of addiction and difficult withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment centers worry that the sudden ban may cause short-term problems, particularly for those who have been using kratom as a way to stay away from more dangerous drugs.

Businesses that sell kratom are preparing for major losses. Some companies are already stopping shipments to Tennessee and moving operations out of state to avoid the ban. There are also concerns that some users may turn to the black market once the product becomes unavailable.

Important Update: THCA products will also be banned in Tennessee starting July 1.

Clinics are encouraging people who currently use kratom to make plans and seek support before the deadline arrives. While opioid use has been declining in some areas, there is worry that this change could slow or reverse that progress.

05/28/2026

It’s Summer! You may see some travel photos over the next month but don’t worry. The Kayla’s, Carl the Intern and soon Joy Gault our new Front Desk Captain will be handling it all while I’m away from time to time. I’ll be checking in with them daily unless reception prevents it. We still have a few consult spots left for the month. Give us a call so we can start getting those problems solved. 731-470-4495

05/21/2026

Check out these THP Sobriety Checkpoints near us this weekend. Keep our number in case you end up in the slammer 731-470-4495:

05/18/2026

FMLaw had court in Dyer County this morning. That took us through the lovely little town of Trimble. This is a beautiful town and well kept. It’s always neat to see new to me places.

05/06/2026

FMLaw found our new receptionist !
^^^she said her client called. She needed a divorce so she could get a debit card. ^^^ 😂😂😂😂

05/06/2026

U***d Fathers -- Listen Up

If you are not on the birth certificate, but intend to be a part of your child's life, you need to do as follows and register with the Putative Father's Registry and should have within 30 days of birth. ALSO, you have to seek legal rights in Court.

STEP ONE -

To Register
To claim paternity and add your name to the Putative Father Registry, download and complete this form: Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity or Acknowledgement of Paternity of a Child (CS-0439).

This form requires the requestor’s signature (electronic signatures are prohibited). Properly filed notices are entered into the Putative Father Registry within one (1) business day of receipt. [I'll link the form in the comments]

The form can be submitted by email at [email protected] or via the United States Postal Service.

Mail the form to:

Department of Children’s Services
Putative Father Registry
UBS Tower, 9th Floor
315 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243

STEP 2 -

While the registry is for NOTIFICATION purposes, a father's name is added to the birth certificate if a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity is filed at the HOSPITAL OR VITAL RECORDS.

STEP 3 -

Court orders establishing paternity will also be a means of getting on the birth certificate.

STEP 4 -

Sometimes Court orders giving you paternity (like through the child support office) don't give you set parenting time. You have to seek a court order providing visitation to the specific legal rights to times to visit. Child Support Office can't do this for you.

REMEMBER -
Until the court order establishing paternity, you are only a PUTATIVE (claiming) father, not a legal father. [This does not apply to you if you were married at the birth of the child.]

CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION:

Also, if you are 18 or older, the law says you are presumed to know you have to financially support your offspring until a court terminates your rights. Ignorance to the law is no defense. Lack of an order requiring payment or an amount is NO defense to failure to pay in a termination action. Read that again.

See comments for the form that you simply email to the registry to at least claim paternity and get notifications if actions are taken against your rights.

Call our office if you need us to help you get established, check child support numbers, and/or get parenting time.

It's up to you to do this. Do it on the front end, so that you won't be fighting it on the back end when an adoption is filed that will include a termination of your rights.

-- Attorney Jennifer Finch McEwen
731.470.4495

04/30/2026

Kayla Motes is certainly the best of the best in my book, too! Congratulations, lady! Yay!

04/27/2026