Family law cases affect every part of your life. Whether you’re facing a divorce, fighting for time with your children, dealing with a custody dispute, or trying to enforce a court order that isn’t being followed, the uncertainty can feel overwhelming.
Grace Studer leads our family law practice and has been recognized by her peers as a Rising Stars attorney and by the community as a Readers’ Choice Best Family Attorney. Before co-founding this firm with her father, Don Spurrell, Grace practiced on the defense side of civil litigation, which means she understands how the other side builds its case. She brings that insight, along with a mother’s perspective, to every family she represents.
Whether your divorce is uncontested or highly contested, we guide clients through every stage of the process. From property division and retirement accounts to parenting plans and support issues, our goal is to help you move forward with clarity and confidence while protecting what matters most.
Few issues are more important than your relationship with your children. We represent parents in initial custody determinations, parenting plan disputes, relocation cases, emergency custody matters, and post-divorce modifications. Every custody case is approached with one question in mind: what outcome best protects your child while preserving your parental relationship?
Child support calculations can be more complicated than many people realize. We help clients establish, modify, and enforce child support obligations, ensuring that support orders accurately reflect the parties’ incomes, parenting time, and the needs of the children involved.
Spousal support can have long-term financial consequences for both parties. Whether you are seeking support or defending against an unreasonable request, we work to ensure that the court has a complete and accurate picture of your financial circumstances.
Divorce often involves more than simply dividing bank accounts. Homes, retirement accounts, businesses, investments, and debts all require careful evaluation. We help clients understand their rights and negotiate property settlements that protect their long-term financial interests.
When allegations of domestic violence arise, immediate legal action is often necessary. We represent both petitioners seeking protection and individuals responding to allegations, ensuring that the court hears all relevant facts before making decisions that can significantly affect families and futures.
Adoption is one of the most rewarding areas of family law. Whether you are pursuing a stepparent adoption, relative adoption, or another form of adoption, we help families navigate the legal process as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
Life changes, and court orders sometimes need to change with it. We represent clients seeking modifications of custody, parenting schedules, child support, and alimony when a substantial change in circumstances justifies revisiting an existing order.
Grace co-founded this firm to bring big-city legal talent home to Northeast Tennessee. She graduated magna cum laude from Charleston School of Law, practiced civil litigation in Washington State, and returned to build a practice centered on the people and families of this region.
Her approach is straightforward: prepare every case as if it may go to trial, while always looking for opportunities to reach a resolution that protects what matters most. Family law disputes are emotional enough without unnecessary conflict. When settlement is the right path, Grace pursues it. When it is not, she is ready to fight. Clients appreciate that she combines compassionate counsel with the kind of courtroom tenacity that produces results.
Custody disputes should focus on children, not parental scorekeeping. We help parents develop parenting plans that are realistic, enforceable, and focused on their children’s long-term well-being. We know what matters because we are parents too.
A fair settlement is about more than who gets what today. We work with clients to understand the long-term financial impact of property division, retirement accounts, support obligations, and debt allocation.
Preparation matters. Opposing counsel and judges can quickly identify which attorneys are ready to try a case. We approach every matter with the preparation and attention to detail necessary to protect our clients if litigation becomes unavoidable.
Practicing throughout Northeast Tennessee means understanding not only the law, but also the local courts, procedures, and practical realities that can influence the outcome of a family law case.
Family law clients are often facing one of the most difficult periods of their lives. They aren’t simply looking for legal advice. They’re looking for someone who will listen, explain their options honestly, and help them make good decisions under stress.
Clear answers about what to expect in court
Practical guidance instead of unnecessary conflict
Strong advocacy when negotiations break down
Regular communication and accessibility
A lawyer who understands that family law cases affect real people and real children
Every family law case is different. Whether you’re considering divorce, dealing with a custody dispute, or need help enforcing an existing court order, we’ll discuss your circumstances, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
423-CALL-LAW