Press Releases

Press Releases

TBA Announces Conservatorship Hearings

Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Sep 10, 2012

Public hearings across the state are designed to gather information about how current law is working or could be improved

NASHVILLE, Sept. 10, 2012 -- The practice and procedure for protecting adults with diminished capacity, including frail elders, persons with developmental disabilities, individuals with physical disabilities, and persons with mental health or addiction issues, will be the subject of public hearings across the state this fall. The series begins with an event in Nashville Sept. 20.

Tennessee's conservatorship law provides a legal process to be utilized when a person cannot make or communicate responsible, safe or sound decisions about his or her person and/or property, or when an individual has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence. The law was enacted to provide help to such individuals in handling their personal and financial affairs.  Courts that administer Tennessee's conservatorship law are looking for ways to improve the process in areas such as determining the least restrictive alternatives to address the needs of the individual, and streamlining the process while adequately protecting the rights of individuals who may be in need of assistance.      
 
Hearings will provide an opportunity for lawyers, community leaders and citizens to discuss what works with the present conservatorship law and how practice and procedure in conservatorships could be improved. The schedule is as follows:
 
Nashville
Sept. 20, 1 - 5 p.m. CT
2nd Floor
221 Fourth Ave. North
Nashville, TN 37219
 
Memphis 
Oct. 23, 1 - 5 p.m. CT
Historic Courtroom, 3rd Floor
1 North Front St.
Memphis, TN 38103
 
Morristown
Nov. 13 , 1 - 5 p.m. ET
Hamblen County Courthouse
511 W Second North St.
3rd Floor
Morristown, TN 37814 
 
Chattanooga
Nov. 14, 1 - 5 p.m. ET
Hamilton County Courthouse
Room 311
625 Georgia Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
 
Hearings are being conducted by the TBA Special Committee on Conservatorship Practice and Procedure under the leadership of chair and Jackson lawyer Pam Wright. Other committee members include Brentwood lawyer Rebecca Blair; Chattanooga Chancellor Frank Brown and lawyer Al Secor; Lenoir City lawyer Kelly Frere; Memphis lawyers Deborah Brooks and Donna Harkness; and Nashville lawyers Bill Barrick and Andra Hedrick.
 
The committee welcomes written comments and brief testimony (not more than 10 minutes) on the merits of the present conservatorship law found at TCA Title 34, Chapters 1 and 3, as well as suggestions for modifications that could improve its fairness, respect for rights, administration and procedure.
 
Contact the TBA at (800) 899-6993 or (615) 383-7421 to request an opportunity to speak at any of the hearings.

Quick Glance Schedule:
Sept. 20, Nashville
Oct. 23, Memphis
Nov. 13, Morristown
Nov. 14, Chattanooga

Want to Provide Comments?
Want to speak or provide written comments? Contact the TBA at (800) 899-6993 or (615) 383-7421.

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