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GOING WITH REGINA WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE

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.

Why You Need an Atlanta, GA Family Law Attorney

An experienced family law attorney can help you with various complex emotional issues related to divorce and child custody.

Divorce

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.

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:

  • Each parent’s mental and physical health
  • The caretaking abilities of both parents
  • The home environment of each parent

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.

Child Support

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

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.

Can You File for Divorce in Atlanta, GA, Without an Attorney?

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:

  • Irretrievably broken Marriage (the most common)
  • Adultery
  • Incarceration
  • Drug addiction or alcoholism
  • Incest
  • Inhumane treatment
  • Mental illness
  • Impotence
  • Marriage consent obtained under duress or by fraud
  • Willful desertion (at least a year)

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.

Contact Us to Speak With an Atlanta, GA Family Law Attorney

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.

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 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.

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 make sure your identity is respected and that your dignity is preserved at all times 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 very best in customer service and client relations. We have codified our commitment in our Ten Commandments. If, at any time during your case, we fail to deliver on any of our Ten Commandments, 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
    What You Can Expect From Your Experience With Edwards Family Law
  • 2
    Clients are not an interruption of our work. They are the purpose of it.
  • 3
    Clients will not be charged for calls to their attorney. 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 that can provide them the best chance of success.
  • 8
    Our firm will attend all conferences and Continuing Learning Education Seminars that relate to the practice of Family Law, to ensure that we have access to the most current case law that can affect the lives of you and your family.
  • 9
    Our firm will employ the latest technology for use in your case, to include 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adultery affect an Atlanta divorce?

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.

Can I share the home with my spouse during an Atlanta divorce?

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.

What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody under Georgia law?

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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