Knox County Law Blog

The advances made in phone technology has quickly made Tennessean's easier and more convenient. There are so many things that people can do on their phones that used to require a trip to the store or putting something in the mail. Also, it has made getting to new locations much easier, as most phones have GPS capable of giving turn-by-turn directions while driving. The phones now also allow people to communicate with others at any time and in any location that the person has service.

The things phones can do make life easier and more convenient, although they can also be very distracting. People can constantly be looking up something on a website or texting other people to stay in communication with them, even when they are trying to complete another task. There are situations where this is not appropriate, though, and others when it is very dangerous to do so. The human eyes can only really focus on one thing at a time. So, if individuals are looking at their phones, then they are not looking at what is going on around them. This makes using a phone especially dangerous when people are driving.

The deadline is fast approaching for people in Tennessee to file their taxes. Some people may look forward to this time of year if they receive refunds from the IRS, but this is not true for many others. Many individuals will owe taxes when they file their tax returns or may owe taxes for past years. It is not a fun experience to owe taxes to the IRS, though, as they are the most powerful collection agency and generally make sure that they get what people owe.

However, in certain circumstances the IRS is willing to work with people so they can pay the tax debt that is due. There are multiple options that the IRS offers for repayment, such as installment agreements, but sometimes it gets to a point where a person simply will not be able to pay the taxes they owe, even over time. In these situations, an individual may be able to enter into an Offer in Compromise with the IRS.

Tennessee readers may know there are two main types of disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration: Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you could be eligible for benefits through one of these two programs.

Understanding the differences between these two programs could help you understand more about the benefits to which you may be eligible and how to have a successful claim. Before you apply, it can be helpful to seek a complete evaluation of your case and explanation of the specific options that may be available to you through the SSA.

There are many people who own property in Tennessee. These people generally have a right to do what they want with their property. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Property owners do have a duty to ensure that people are not injured by dangerous conditions on the property. However, the exact level of care a property owner owes to an individual on his or her property depends on the specific status of the person who has entered onto the premises.

When people go onto another's property they generally fall into one of four different categories: a trespasser, a licensee, an invitee, or a matter of right. An invitee is a person who was invited onto the property. With regard to these individuals, an owner has a duty to use reasonable care to ensure that their guests are not injured. A property owner must also use ordinary care to licensees and social guests on the property. If the person is a trespasser, then a property owner must only refrain from willfully injuring the person trespassing.