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GOING WITH REGINA WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE

Georgia and Greater Atlanta Legitimation Lawyers

Legitimation is a legal action that is the only way, other than by marrying the mother of a child, that the father of a child born in the State of Georgia may establish legal rights to his child. Only a father may file a petition seeking to legitimate his child. Generally, the father of a child is held responsible for paying child support, but he may or may not receive custody or visitation privileges, depending on the circumstances. Most fathers may petition for courts for custody and visitation rights, in a process called legitimation. Edwards Family Law represents men and women in paternity matters. We can evaluate your situation, explain the law and discuss how we could represent you. If you were never married to the mother of your children, you should contact us immediately. The law in Georgia assigns all rights to custody and visitation to the mother. She is free to deny visitation until you file your case and get a court order. She may deny visitation even if you are providing child support, so it is imperative to file your case to establish your rights to your child. The sooner the case is filed, the better chance you will have at obtaining custody and/or increased parenting time.

The Process

If you were never married to the mother of your children, Georgia law assigns all rights to custody and visitation to the mother. She is free to deny visitation until you file your legitimation case and get a court order. She may deny visitation even if you are providing child support, so it is imperative to file your case to establish your rights to your child.

The sooner you file your legitimation case, the better chance you will have at obtaining custody or a significant amount of parenting time. An order of legitimation creates a father and child relationship legally between the petitioner and his child. Legitimation establishes that the child may inherit from this legal father and vice versa.

This process allows the legal father to be listed on the child’s birth certificate as the legal father. An order of legitimation is the only way that the father of a child born out of wedlock can be recognized as the legal father of a child. During the same case, the court can determine custody and parenting time. Once the legitimation is granted, both parents have equal standing to request custody. Contrary to popular belief, there is no presumption in favor of the mother. We have filed many legitimation cases, and had the fathers awarded custody. Read our father’s rights success stories.

Edwards Family Law will do everything possible to protect you and your rights.

CLARITY TODAY

cutting through confusion and providing clarity

Do I need a Family Lawyer?

Each case is different, but we can share what clients typically struggle with when they make their initial calls to us:

  • My Spouse Wants a Divorce
  • My Marriage Has Fallen Apart And Cannot Be Fixed
  • I Am Expecting a Child Out Of Wedlock
  • I Have Fallen Behind on Child Support Due to Unemployment or salary reduction
  • My Circumstances Have Changed Drastically And Think A Change Of Custody Is Warranted
  • My Ex Announced They Want to Move Away and Take Our Child

How much will my Divorce or Child Custody matter cost me?

The financial aspect of family law matters can be terrifying because it has been known as a black hole of billing with retainers and hourly charges for things like emails and texts. Peel back further uncertainty by Estimating Your Legal Fees.

Flat Fees - No Funny Stuff

While other firms might tell you “there is no way to predict the total cost of a divorce,” we can tell you with certainty that those smoke and mirrors will not be a part of your care at Edwards Family Law. We provide value with a high degree of peace of mind through conscientious costs for our care. Learn more about our Flat Fee Family Law Services.

Fearful of being bogged down in legal fees?

Heard the horror stories about being sucked in with low retainers only to be hit with hidden incremental hourly changes?

We Have The Right Solutions For The Next Chapter of Your Life

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF EDWARDS FAMILY LAW

At Edwards Family Law, we understand that your life, family, livelihood, and legacy are important to you. They are important to us as well. We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure your identity is respected and that your dignity is preserved throughout the process.

The law prohibits us from guaranteeing the outcome of your case. But, it does not prohibit us from guaranteeing the service you receive. We promise to provide you with the best in customer service and client relations. We have codified our commitment in our Ten Commandments. If we fail to deliver on any of our Ten Commandments at any time during your case, please let us know. We will apologize for our mistake and do what is necessary to fix the problem.

What You Can Expect From Your Experience With Edwards Family Law

  • 1
    Clients are not an interruption of our work. They are the purpose of it.
  • 2
    Clients will not be charged for calls to their attorney.
  • 3
    Each client shall receive aggressive representation combined with incomparable guidance and counsel.
  • 4
    Our clients will receive the most courteous and attentive treatment we can give them.
  • 5
    Each client will have their telephone call returned within one business day.
  • 6
    All of our attorneys shall practice exclusively family law and domestic relations.
  • 7
    Our clients are not just a name on a file. We will present each client with an honest assessment of all options to provide them with the best chance of success.
  • 8
    Our firm will attend all conferences and Continuing Learning Education Seminars related to the practice of Family Law to ensure that we have access to the most current case law that can affect your and your family's lives.
  • 9
    Our firm will employ the latest technology for use in your case, including a secure server where the client's entire paper file is scanned and posted to the server for immediate retrieval by the client.
  • 10
    Clients are people who bring us their wants. It is our job to meet those wants.

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