Whitney H. Raque, Attorney at Law

02/27/2026

I’ve built my practice around serving local families, so being able to support our schools feels full circle.

Our kids deserve strong schools and strong communities. Proud to do my small part. ❤️

02/26/2026

Every case stays with me — especially the hard ones.

A while back, I represented someone charged with a truly serious offense. The kind of case that keeps you up at night, constantly debating the evidence and how it would play out, and reminds you exactly why this work matters. A week before trial, we had a crossroads: take it to a jury or resolve it. I believed in trying the case based on the proof and experts we had. But he was staring down the reality of 15–25 years if things went sideways.

Sometimes courage looks like fighting. Sometimes it looks like choosing certainty.

He chose the guarantee.

Today, he walked back into my office — free. A second chance in his hands. He didn’t come to talk about the past. He came to say thank you.

Moments like that ground me. This job isn’t about headlines or perfect outcomes. It’s about standing beside people when the stakes are everything, helping them navigate impossible decisions, and believing that a life is more than its worst chapter.

I’m grateful he trusted me then. And grateful he gets a future now.

Second chances matter.

02/11/2026

Are holidays required in a parenting plan? If you have a trial, then yes!

In the case of Boatman v. Odziana, 2025 WL 2814800,(Tenn.Ct.App., 2025), the Court ordered a week-on/week-off parenting plan and as for holidays stated “The summer schedule and any school breaks shall follow this day-to-day schedule. No special exceptions will be made for the various religious holidays, i.e., the day-to-day schedule will apply and the chips will fall where they may.”

Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-6-402(5), which defines terms related to parenting plans, provides as follows:
[T]he residential schedule must designate a primary residential parent when the child is scheduled to reside with one (1) parent more than fifty percent (50%) of the time; in addition, the residential schedule must designate in which parent's home each minor child shall reside on given days of the year, including provisions for holidays, birthdays of family members, vacations, and other special occasions, consistent with the criteria of this part;

Thus, a parenting plan must include provisions for holidays. COA determined that the trial court erred by failing to follow the statutory requirement of designating parenting time for holidays.

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02/11/2026

I've had an influx of cases where joint or sole decision making is an issue. So I thought I would post the statute to help those out:

§ 36-6-407. Allocation of parenting responsibilities, TN ST § 36-6-407
the court shall consider the following criteria in allocating decision-making authority:

(1) The existence of a limitation under § 36-6-406;

(2) The history of participation of each parent in decision making in each of the following areas: physical care, emotional stability, intellectual and moral development, health, education, extracurricular activities, and religion; and whether each parent attended a court-ordered parent education seminar;

(3) Whether the parents have demonstrated the ability and desire to cooperate with one another in decision making regarding the child in each of the following areas: physical care, emotional stability, intellectual and moral development, health, education, extracurricular activities, and religion; and

(4) The parents' geographic proximity to one another, to the extent that it affects their ability to make timely mutual decisions.

________________________________________________________

In a relatively recent opinion from COA, the Mother had sole decision making and the trial court flipped it and gave Father the sole authority on educational decisions and medical.

The Court stated “so that he can choose the children's schools” and on non-emergency medical decisions, the trial court cited “Mother going against Father's wishes and getting [kid 2] the COVID shot without even discussing the matter with Father, lying to [kid 2] about it, and then telling [kid 1] about it, which caused [kid 1] to threaten suicide.” Throughout its decision, the court noted the high degree of family dysfunction and conflict exhibited by Mother and Father and found Mother to be particularly at fault in failing to act in the children's best interest.

Boatman v. Odziana, 2025 WL 2814800, at *18 (Tenn.Ct.App., 2025)

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02/07/2026

January wrapped up with two Termination of Parental Rights trials successfully defended.
Two families. Two outcomes where parents kept their rights.

TPR cases are some of the most serious matters a court can hear—there is no reset button if you lose. These cases require strategy, evidence, credibility, and knowing when to fight back hard.

If a termination of parental rights petition has been filed against you, do not wait and hope it works itself out. It won’t.
Let’s talk early, honestly, and with a plan.

📞 Call the office to schedule a consultation.

02/03/2026

I love reading and writing. Every now and again, I’ll take on an appeal should time permit. I have one right now, so ive limited my case load temporarily to focus. I’ve done appeals for criminal convictions, termination of parental rights, divorce, parenting plan modifications, and even was a ghostwriter for one on premise liability/personal injury.

At trial this past week, nothing beat being able to say, “Petitioners cannot prove this ground. I’ve appealed this issue before. Here’s the opinion to prove it.”

01/31/2026

Another day spent in Jackson County, Gainesboro. Today and yesterday, I left my house at 6:45AM and did not get home until 8:15PM. I traveled through Rutherford, Wilson, Putnam, Smith, and finally Jackson County. These were super long trial days, but so glad for a favorable outcome for my client.

The stakes were very high and this has really stressed me out. I’ll be enjoying this weekend before preparing for another trial this upcoming week!

01/29/2026

Guess where I’m at today?

01/27/2026

We’re still closed today due to weather and hazardous road conditions. We’re also following Rutherford County/Courts, and they are closed as well. We hope to reopen tomorrow—please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel! ❄️🚗

01/26/2026

❄️ Office Closed Today ❄️

Due to weather conditions, our office is closed today, and Rutherford County courts are also closed.

Please stay safe, stay warm, and avoid the roads if you can!

10/08/2025

Our office will be closed on Thursday and Friday to allow our staff to enjoy time with their families during fall break.

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, October 13.

We appreciate your understanding and wish everyone a safe and restful weekend!