Michael Fort is a founding partner at Fort, Holloway, & Rogers, LLC. Michael has been practicing law in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee since 2006. He is a native of Williamson County. His practice primarily focuses on divorce, custody litigation, child support disputes, alimony disputes, asset division disputes and neglect cases in Franklin, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. He has helped clients safeguard children in unhealthy situations, located hidden financial assets, resolved difficult property disputes and helped protect client’s assets. Michael commonly handles complex divorces that involve business valuations and large marital estates.

In addition to practicing law, Michael is a Rule 31 Listed Family Law Mediator. His experience in litigation and as a mediator allows Michael a unique perspective on negotiating, settling and litigating divorce cases. Michael appreciates the opportunity to respectfully negotiate or bring to trial matters important to his clients and takes pride in achieving positive results for his clients.

Prior to beginning his practice, Michael was employed as a law clerk in the 21st Judicial District Judges’ Office located in Franklin, Tennessee. In 2006, Michael graduated from law school with honors. Upon receiving his law license, Michael immediately began his private practice. In 2008, Michael joined the law firm Schell, Binkley and Davies, LLC as an associate. In 2013, Michael became a partner at Schell and Davies, LLC. After several partners left the practice of law for the bench, Michael helped found the law firm of Fort, Holloway and Rogers.

During his practice Michael has been recognized for his divorce, family law and criminal law practice in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee.  Michael Fort received the following awards:

• Mid-South Rising Star – Thompson Reuters
• SuperLawyer – Thompson Reuters
• Top 10 Family Law Attorney – Attorney and Practice Magazine
• Top 40 under 40 Award – National Academy of Family Law Attorneys
• Top 40 Family Lawyers – The American Society of Legal Advocates
• Top 100 Lawyers – National Trial Lawyers
• Superb 10/10 – AVVO.com
• 10 Best – American Institute of Family Lawyers

PRACTICE AREAS:

Franklin Family Attorney

The Franklin family law practice at Fort, Holloway, & Rogers encompasses divorce and related matters in Williamson County, including child custody, child support, alimony and property division. We draft prenuptial agreements for parties entering marriage and handle post-divorce requests for modifications, relocations and enforcement of court orders. Our lawyers are skilled in family mediation as well as trials and appeals, with particular expertise in high-asset divorce cases.

Below we address some of the common questions related to family law and divorce in Tennessee. Feel free to call our Franklin family attorneys for a consultation if you have other questions or wish to move forward with a divorce or other family law matter.

• Alimony
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Divorce
• Divorce Enforcement
• Family Appeals
• Family Law Mediation
• Family Relocation
• High-Asset Divorce
• Property Division
• Paternity
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Post-Divorce Modications

Franklin Estate Planning & Probate Attorney

Estate planning is essential for any individual or family, and the sooner it’s done, the better. One never knows what life may bring, so planning for the expected as well as the unexpected can help ensure that you and your family are protected regardless of what occurs. If you don’t decide important matters in advance, then the state of Tennessee decides them for you.

• Conservatorships & Guardianships

The Franklin estate planning & probate attorneys at Fort, Holloway, & Rogers help families in Williamson County plan for their future through prenuptial agreements as well as traditional estate planning documents such as wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Our probate lawyers are here to assist with estate and trust administration as well. For all your family’s legal needs throughout your lifetime, count on Fort, Holloway, & Rogers for practical, strategic advice and technical assistance.

Franklin Criminal Attorney

Being put through the criminal justice system is an intimidating and frightening experience, and the stakes are high. You not only face steep fines or jail time; even if you only get probation, a criminal conviction can cause you to lose your job or professional license or do immeasurable damage to your reputation and standing in the community. Even if the offense you get charged with seems relatively minor, it’s still important to do everything you can to keep your record clean and avoid the worst consequences of a conviction.

• DUI Defense
• Juvenile Offenses

The legal team at Fort, Holloway, & Rogers, LLC includes a former prosecutor and experienced criminal defense attorneys who have successfully represented people charged with every kind of misdemeanor or felony offense in Tennessee, from traffic tickets to attempted murder. We’ll take the time to carefully review the facts in your case and explain the charges against you and the consequences you face. We’ll fight the charges, negotiate a favorable result, or go to bat for you in court when a trial is in your best interest. Make sure your first call after an arrest is to Fort, Holloway, & Rogers.

Call our experienced and successful Franklin criminal defense attorneys if you are charged with any misdemeanor or felony offense in Williamson County, including:

• DUI
• Reckless driving, speeding, traffic offenses
• Theft, burglary
• Criminal simulation (fraud, forgery, felony theft)
• Vandalism
• Sale and possession of scheduled narcotics
• Possession and sale of marijuana
• Underage consumption
• Assaults and domestic assaults
• Homicide
• Orders of protection violations

Process of a Criminal Case in Williamson County

Adults accused of a crime will likely come into contact with both the General Sessions and Circuit Court in Williamson County. Below are the typical stages of a criminal case in Williamson County and how the Franklin criminal defense lawyers at Fort, Holloway, & Rogers can help.

Arrest

The police must have probable cause to believe you committed a crime before they arrest you. Unless they actually observed a crime in progress, they might need to have a valid warrant before they can make an arrest. If the police lack probable cause or commit procedural errors in making the arrest (failure to read you your rights, excessive force, coerced confession), your attorney can fight to get the charges dropped or the case dismissed. Evidence that was obtained illegally or without a warrant can be suppressed and excluded from your case, which will help you in your defense or even get the charges dropped completely.

Arraignment, Initial Appearance

At your initial appearance, you’ll be informed of the charges against you and given the opportunity to enter a plea. Bail will also be set at this appearance. Your attorney can be present to advise you on how to plead (usually not guilty) and help get you released from pretrial detention with a reasonable bail or no bail required at all.

Preliminary Hearing

This hearing is held to determine whether the police have probable cause to detain you. It is possible to get the charges dropped at this stage.

Grand Jury

The prosecutor presents the case to a grand jury and asks for an indictment. The grand jury will indict if they believe probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed and you might have committed it.

Second Arraignment

If indicted, you’ll be brought into court to have the indictment read to you, and you’ll be asked to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest) to the charges.

Plea Bargain

At this stage, your attorney might meet with the prosecutors to negotiate a guilty plea in exchange for a favorable outcome, such as probation, a reduction in the charges, or recommendation of a favorable sentence. Your lawyer will go over these options with you and discuss whether a plea bargain is in your best interest or whether you should take your case to trial. The decision on how to plead lies with you. Our criminal defense attorneys give you honest advice so you can make the best decision on how to proceed.

Pre-trial motions

Before trial, there is a period of discovery where the prosecution and defense seek information, evidence and subpoenas to help them build their case. We may file motions with the court during this time to challenge a defect in the indictment, suppress evidence, or sever or consolidate charges. These motions can get your case dismissed or position you for a stronger defense at trial.

Trial

At trial, you have constitutional rights to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against you and compel witnesses to testify. You have the right to testify or refuse to testify on your own behalf. Your attorney will advise you on whether to take the stand and will present all available defenses while challenging the prosecution’s evidence and arguments at every turn.

Appeal

If you are convicted, you have the right to appeal the conviction or the sentence imposed. If mistakes were made during the trial by the judge or prosecutor, or if the wrong instructions were given to the jury or an improper sentence handed down, you might be able to get the conviction overturned or get a new trial.