If you’re on this page, you’re dealing with a life-changing family law matter. Maybe it’s divorce and alimony issues. Perhaps you are dealing with complex custody battles or child support disputes. Regardless of the specifics, one thing is sure—you’re at your breaking point. It would help if you had legal answers now.
Our family law attorneys understand. We know you face emotional, financial, and psychological challenges during this stressful time. So, we’re here to support you and answer your questions about family law matters.
Our family law attorneys can also help you resolve your legal issues amicably with mediation, if possible.
An experienced family law attorney can help you with various complex emotional issues related to divorce and child custody.
The best option is to hire an Atlanta, GA, family law attorney to help you navigate the divorce process.
You also have the option to file for separate maintenance. Separate maintenance resolves most issues a divorce settles, but the marriage is not entirely dissolved.
Separation maintenance can include child support, spousal support, and child custody.
It’s best to agree on child custody matters without involving the Georgia family law court. Of course, that is unfortunately not always an option.
The judge will consider several factors when deciding on child custody, including:
Georgia has two types of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody means the right of the parent to make decisions for the child’s well-being and welfare. Physical custody refers to the right to have your child live primarily in your home.
Children ages 11 and older are allowed to state their preference of parental households, according to state law. At age 14, the choice is binding, as long as that choice is in the child’s best interest.
Family law courts in Georgia typically use the income shares model for child support decisions. This model determines the percentage of earnings each parent contributes to the couple’s total income and helps to calculate the child support payment amount you will need to make if you don’t have custody.
The court refers to the Georgia child support obligation table to determine the child support amount. Then, the amount is multiplied by your adjusted gross income percentage.
Arriving at a fair child support payment is complicated. However, our Atlanta family law attorneys can ensure you’re paying for or receiving the correct amount.
Alimony may be granted under Georgia law and can be rehabilitative or permanent. Rehabilitative financial support is short-term. It allows a spouse time to get on his or her feet financially. Rehabilitative alimony also can be granted so the spouse can return to school to obtain job skills.
Permanent alimony may continue for years—in some cases, up to the death of the recipient spouse. The court may award permanent alimony if one person cannot work due to age or illness.
Georgia law allows residents to represent themselves in any legal case, meaning you can file for divorce without an Atlanta family law attorney.
That does not mean you should, though.
There are many documents to prepare and legal requirements to meet. For example, one of the things you must decide in many Georgia divorces is the grounds.
Grounds for divorce in Georgia include the following:
You can file for divorce in Georgia under more than one ground. No matter whether you are going through a contested divorce or uncontested divorce, an experienced family law practice will guide you through your family legal matters and look out for your best interests.
Are you thinking about divorce? Do you have child custody issues or want to establish parental rights? Do you have questions about property division, prenuptial agreements, or alimony? Our family law firm understands these complex issues and is here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us to discuss your Georgia divorce case. Or complete our online form, and we’ll get back to you.
Each case is different, but we can share what clients typically struggle with when they make their initial calls to us:
The financial aspect of family law matters can be terrifying because it has been historically 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.
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 and Estate Planning Services.
Fast, organized, and professional. Her assistant was just as great assisting me get my own information organized. She was the perfect counsel for my situation and addressing opposing counsel. I highly recommend.
Great service team! Fast and efficient home closings. Easy to find in Downtown Wetumpka.
Regina is such a professional and knowledgeable attorney. I will gladly refer client to her with their family legal needs.
Professional and attentive staff. Our office has partnered with Edwards and Edwards on real estate closings and all good experiences.
Highly Recommend!!! Regina and her team provide an incredibly smooth client-experience where you know exactly what is expected of you, and what they are going to do for you. Their communication policy is odd at first, but results in excellent communication, they have tremendous knowledge of the law, and do what they say the will do.
Adultery may affect some aspects of a Georgia divorce. For example, a spouse who commits adultery AND that adultery is proven to be the cause of the end of the marriage, cannot receive alimony.
You can share the marital property with a spouse while going through a divorce in Atlanta. In fact, sharing this scenario happens often. Here’s the key: You can’t behave as husband and wife, meaning you cannot engage in sexual relations. If you do after the divorce complaint is filed, it could be dismissed by the judge.
The difference between legal custody and physical custody is that legal custody refers to parental involvement in a child’s major life decisions (including education and religious upbringing), while physical custody refers to the parent with which the minor lives. The parent with physical custody is called the custodial parent.
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