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When couples are going through a divorce, family lawyers remain a popular option. According to the CDC, the current divorce rate is 2.7 per 1,000 people. However, there are quite a few misconceptions about the family law attorneys who work on these cases and others. This article will debunk the most common myths we hear about family lawyers. more 1. Only Divorces Family attorneys can assist with a divorce. However, there are several other things they can help with. In our experience, many people hire lawyers to help divide assets, settle custody disputes, provide guidance, and help file for relocation. Family legal teams are excellent mediators to help couples determine things outside the courtroom. Speak with us if you have more questions about what we do. 2. Court Preferences Many people believe that lawyers focus on going to court to make more money. However, in our experience, that's not true. Attorneys usually try to avoid court when possible. These professionals would instead work with both sides to help them compromise. Mediating between two parties is much easier for everyone involved, including the legal team. 3. High Costs Another common misconception is that lawyers are only for the wealthy because they are expensive. However, lawyers are available at various rates. The total cost of your specific case will depend on how complex it is. It's best to schedule an appointment with our local law firm to discuss the cost. 4. More Conflicts Many couples headed for divorce want to avoid working with a lawyer. Some people envision a screaming attorney who creates more conflict in the situation. However, that's not a lawyer's job. Instead, lawyers are trained to defuse situations and remain calm during conflict. Hollywood's portrayals, like the screaming attorney, are often misleading. 5. Preferred Individuals It's typical for individuals to believe that a lawyer and the court will always side with the mother or wife during a family law case. However, that's another common myth. In our experience, many states look at both parents equally regarding situations like custody. They also look at income and other variables when discussing assets and alimony. 6. Just Disputes Family lawyers are seen as being there for disputes. They help settle cases when two people can't agree. Many people indeed hire a lawyer to help mediate or go to court. However, couples frequently hire lawyers to help them with uncontested situations. Lawyers can help you navigate a divorce or other legal situation to make the process seamless. We understand that family legalities can be emotionally charged situations. However, you don't have to go through this time alone. Instead, contact South Atlanta Family Law to schedule a consultation today.

Divorce is a complex life event and even when conversations seem civil between the two parties, getting an outsider's help is paramount. We understand the temptation to keep things simple and try to resolve any issues on our own. Unfortunately, choosing to go it alone more often than not leads to big disputes in the long run that can end up costing one or both parties much more than if they had worked with a local divorce attorney from the beginning. Consider the following signs and reasons behind your want to use a local divorce attorney. more 1. You Have a Complex Financial Situation For some families, finances are kept simple with one or two income streams and no big marital assets beyond personal vehicles. For other families, there are multiple assets like a home and vacation home along with various debts, investments, and potentially even a business or a hobby that brings in passive income. If you have this type of more intricate financial situation, then consider it a sign that you need to hire a local divorce attorney who knows the local laws and can best help to navigate a fair division of assets that protects your financial interests. 2. You Expect to Pay or Receive Alimony Even if your finances are relatively simple, you may still need a divorce attorney if one party brings home a significantly higher paycheck than the other, or if one party is a homemaker while the other works a traditional job. Here, you will want a local divorce attorney who understands local and state laws regarding alimony and is acquainted with local family courts to represent you for your best financial interests. 3. You Need to Organize Child Custody or Support Child custody and child support are very contentious issues that can cause big disputes in otherwise amicable divorces. Whenever children are involved, it's recommended to hire a divorce attorney to advocate for parental rights, establish fair custody arrangements, and ensure child support agreements meet all the child or children's needs. A local divorce attorney can also help navigate relocation problems should one parent look to move out of the local area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current divorce rate is 2.7 per 1,000 in the general population. If you're considering a divorce or are already starting the process, contact South Atlanta Family Law to talk with a divorce attorney and establish your rights today.

Once the decision has been made to end a marriage, there are so many details that must be considered. As each step of the divorce process is taken, some problems can arise, and it’s in your best interest to call a divorce lawyer. Let’s look at four instances when you need this professional on your side. more 1. You Have Questions Concerning a Settlement That Has Been Offered If your spouse offers you a settlement and you have questions about it, you need a divorce lawyer on your side. This professional will be able to explain aspects of the settlement to you that might seem confusing and offer advice on whether a settlement is fair or not. There can be a lot of assets involved in a divorce settlement, and each party must be treated fairly. 2. You Need Court Orders to See Your Children Parents are often put in vulnerable places during a divorce. When children are involved, it’s important to ensure that each parent has a fair amount of time with them. If children are being kept from you, you will need the emergency assistance of a lawyer to get a court order to see your children. If the parameters of your custody are unclear, you may also need the help of a divorce lawyer to come to a fair arrangement. According to Legal Jobs, 74% of fathers with custody work full-time jobs. If your employment status is causing problems in a custody battle, a lawyer can help. 3. You Want Advice Before Mediation Many people want the legal advice of a divorce lawyer before they enter mediation with their ex-spouse. The mediation process is the best time to address your concerns and attempt to negotiate. To do this in the best possible way, though, you need to be informed concerning your rights and any leverage you may have in the situation. 4. Your Divorce Is Stalled You may also need the help of a lawyer if the divorce proceedings have stalled out. This means that the two parties have not reached an agreement, and nothing further can be done until an agreement is made. Divorce lawyers can help you identify places where it might benefit you to give ground or places where you absolutely must stand your ground. Divorce is a huge challenge for many people. If you need a good divorce lawyer, please contact South Atlanta Family Law Firm today. We will be happy to schedule a consultation for you.

When seeking a family lawyer, consider the advantages of working with an experienced professional in your community. A local family lawyer can provide expert legal advice and guidance for your case. Family law is incredibly delicate and requires a personalized approach. Read on for reasons to stick with a local legal pro. more 1. Experience With the Local Court System A local family lawyer is familiar with the court system in your area, which can give you an edge in understanding legal proceedings and what to expect. Your attorney will be familiar with the judges, know how to present your case, and understand the nuances of local law. This knowledge can be invaluable in ensuring a successful outcome. 2. Easy Accessibility It's much easier to access legal assistance from your local community rather than traveling long distances and spending more time coordinating appointments and meetings with someone far away. Your lawyer will be able to easily meet with you in person and answer any questions or address any concerns that may arise. Plus, if there's an urgent issue, a lawyer nearby will be more convenient to visit. 3. Comprehensive Understanding of Local Laws A family lawyer from your area has a comprehensive understanding of local and state laws that may affect your case. As the legal precedent changes over time, an experienced attorney can keep up with any updates or changes that could impact you in court. With their experience with family law, they can assist with a wide range of cases such as divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, adoption, paternity, and more. 4. Higher Chances of Success Since a local attorney is familiar with the court system and has an in-depth understanding of state and local laws, you have a much higher chance of achieving the desired outcome for your particular situation than if you worked with someone from outside of the region. According to Legal Jobs, 90% of custody cases are decided without a judge's ruling, and having an experienced local family lawyer on your side can help you settle matters without dealing with complicated court proceedings. In family law, having a knowledgeable and experienced attorney can make all the difference. When selecting a family lawyer, someone from your local vicinity can make the process smoother. Contact our local staff at South Atlanta Family Law Firm today for assistance.

Are you facing divorce? If so, this is likely a stressful time. There are emotional challenges that come with the end of a marriage, but there are also serious financial and legal questions to address. You may be wondering how much of the marital assets you'll get, whether you can stay in your home, or even how much time you'll get with your kids. You're not alone in this. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2.7 out of every 1,000 adults in the United States faces divorce. The outcome of your divorce will likely depend on whether or not the divorce is contested or uncontested. Here's some information on each type of divorce and how the process plays out in court. more Uncontested Divorce In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on major issues like alimony, asset division, child custody, and more. There may be some minor details that need to be negotiated by the divorce attorneys, but for the most part, both spouses agree on the divorce itself and the major points within it. The process for an uncontested divorce usually moves quickly, which can save both parties money on divorce attorneys. Both parties also retain some control over the outcome, since they're agreeing to most of the major points. If possible, many divorce attorneys recommend trying to reach an uncontested outcome because it's a smoother process for everyone involved. Contested Divorce In an uncontested divorce, the spouses are not in agreement on the major issues and they decide to take the case to court. Decisions about alimony, assets, custody, and more are ultimately made by the divorce court judge. This requires hearings, testimony, evidence discovery, and much more. As you may imagine, this is a costly process that involves much more work by divorce attorneys. It also adds risk for both spouses, as there's the possibility the judge will reach a decision that neither spouse prefers. In a contested divorce, the spouses give up some control over the outcome of the case, which could potentially backfire. Although a contested divorce can be more difficult and costly, it sometimes cannot be avoided. That's especially true if the other spouse is unreasonable, abusive, or unwilling to negotiate. If you have any questions or need additional information about the divorce process, South Atlanta Family Law is here to help. We have the expertise and compassion necessary to assist you during this challenging time. Don't hesitate to give us a call today.

For many people, divorce is a scary word. Deep-running worries about children, split households, or financial stress could send chills to the involved parties. However, sometimes divorce is the best step. According to Statista, the United States registered about 750,000 divorces nationally in 2019. This article will give you three reasonable signs to look out for, signaling it is time to go down that road. more 1. Violence or Abuse Abuse comes in many forms. It could be substance abuse (involving drugs and addiction), emotional abuse (involving manipulation), physical abuse, or verbal abuse. If any of those behaviors emerge and don't improve, it's time to call a divorce attorney. Domestic violence, for instance, shouldn't be left unattended and the victim should attempt to leave the marriage as soon as they can. 2. Infidelity When a married person steps out and has an affair, the other person experiences a great deal of emotional pain and the relationship dynamic changes. In such a situation, counseling helps to rebuild the broken trust and repair the connection. However, if the behavior doesn't change, it may be time to seek divorce by talking to an experienced divorce attorney. 3. Poor Communication At some point in a marriage, partners may lose touch with each other. If they're attentive to each other's needs, they're more likely to communicate through every situation and possibly save the marriage. However, if talking becomes more difficult, partners quickly become strangers and end up living separate lives, even under the same roof. If such a situation isn't saved during counseling, divorce could be the healthiest option for both parties. Marriage is, without a doubt, a partnership that needs round-the-clock work. If such a partnership is severed, it can be repaired through communication and counseling. However, if both partners try to fix the marriage and it doesn't seem to work out, divorce becomes the easier, more promising option. Since divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging, it would be in everyone's best interest to involve a divorce attorney. Professional lawyers help you have a smoother process and articulate your concerns in case your divorce involves settlement issues. Talk to South Atlanta Family Law today to learn more about your options.

When it comes to child custody, some parents tend to believe certain misconceptions about separation. However, you don't have to be afraid. A family lawyer will help you and your former partner handle this matter in the best way possible for your children. They will also tell you what's fair. According to Statista, in 2020, 15.31 million American kids lived with their mothers, while 3.27 million lived with their fathers, which leads to the misconception that mothers always get the most custody. That's not exactly true, and it's time to get rid of this and other myths. Keep reading to learn about more common misconceptions. more The Mother Doesn't Always Get More Custody Time While it used to be true that mothers would get custody more often since they normally stayed at home and cared for the children, gender roles are no longer as rigid as they were in the 1950s. It's now common for both parents to work full-time, so it's not unusual to see the court favoring a father depending on the circumstances. The judge or the family lawyer will take a look at each individual case and come up with a decision that fits the family. Not all separations have to result in disaster. All Custody Cases Go to Trial Another misconception when it comes to separations is that you'll need to attend court and have a trial for a final decision. That's not true at all. Most of the time, you'll be able to handle this situation with simple mediation. A family lawyer will usually advise you to settle things amicably with your ex-partner for the benefit of the children. Putting that decision up to a judge that doesn't know the case and hasn't met the children or the parents can end up being much worse. A family lawyer will connect more closely to their client and understand their needs better. Parents With the Most Custody Can Move Away This is another myth that needs to be debunked. The parent with more custodial time can't move away simply because they are given more access to the children. They still have to abide by the agreement, and moving away would make that difficult, even if the other parent only gets the kids one weekend a month. Now that you know the truth about these common misconceptions, you won't have a problem deciding what to do for the sake of your children. Contact us at the South Atlanta Family Law Firm when you need help with your child custody decisions.

Custody disputes can be emotionally draining, especially if you're in the midst of a divorce. Most custody cases are complex and require expert advice. These are some of the most common ways your custody dispute will be settled and what to expect. more Guardian Ad Litem During a custody case, it's common for the court to assign a guardian ad litem or for the parents to hire one. This person will interview both parties and speak with the child. They aim to let the courts know what is in the child's best interest. Status Quo Many states have a status quo. Some states are still considered “mother states” and often give custody to the mother. However, many states are now placing parents on equal ground, and their status quo is a shared parenting arrangement. Shared parenting arrangements are common when parents live close enough that the child can attend the same school. Mutual Agreement If both parents mutually agree on a custody arrangement, the judge will usually order that to be the custody agreement. According to Legal Jobs, 51% of the time, parents agree that the mother should have custody. These cases may require mediation to agree on holiday visitation or other visitation arrangements. Negotiations Often, negotiations take place outside the courtroom. These involve both parties sitting down to compromise on custody, child support, visitation, and anything else that will be part of the custody agreement. If both parents can reach an agreement, that's encouraged. Family lawyers can serve as mediators and help draft a custody agreement. Court Litigation When two parties cannot agree on a custody arrangement or parenting plan, they head to court. In this situation, both parties will present their case to the judge. They may also present arguments against the other person's case. Then, the judge will decide what they feel is in the child's best interest. The judge will consider a stable environment, the parent's relationship with the child, and more. Custody arrangements are not permanent. As situations change, modifications can be made. Family lawyers can help guide you through the complex court system, draft legal documents, and mediate during negotiations. Here at South Atlanta Family Law Firm, we have a team of family lawyers to help you settle your custody dispute. Contact us today!

If, for whatever reason, the time has come for you and your spouse to legally break off your marriage, then a family lawyer or divorce lawyer near me is your best resource for understanding the social and financial repercussions of your decision. Divorce can be a complicated process for adults, let alone for children who don't understand why their parents are going through the split. In 2020, according to Statista, there were over 15 million children living with a single mother, and over 3 million with a single father, following a divorce. Here are two ways children can be affected by their parents' divorce and how divorce lawyers can mediate. more Misunderstanding the Cause If parents choose not to include every detail of the reason for the divorce to their child, the child may assume they are to blame. Thinking they misbehaved so badly that they've driven their parents apart is not an uncommon response for a developing child. Teenagers may respond with more anger as their living situations are upended, but no matter the age of the affected child, divorce attorneys include their desires in the discussion as well. Determining custody often has the child's best interest in mind, and through this process, they may achieve some clarity. Difficulty Adjusting Moving between residences every week can be exhausting for a child who just wants their family to be together again. Though family lawyers are primarily trained in mediating a split to honor the wishes of both spouses, many times the wishes of children must be considered as well if they are present. Family lawyers are not only legally trained but psychologically trained as well, and are experts in dealing with situations where children feel down about the divorce or see their school grades suffering. When a child is a factor in a divorce, family lawyers are one of their best resources for ensuring they understand and recover from the incident. Family lawyers can help adults and their children alike with maintaining mental health consultations, healthy relationships, and goals to pursue. If you're desperate for a divorce lawyer near me to help talk through your options regarding custody, contact us at the South Atlanta Family Law Firm today. You and your children will only benefit from our mediation.

According to Statista, there were about 750,000 divorces in 2019. Divorce can be a difficult process, but many people go through it every year. A divorce attorney can help make your divorce a smooth process that helps you and your former spouse start your new lives. Choosing a divorce attorney can be tricky, but there are some tips you can follow to make sure you get the right lawyer for the job. Speak with Loved Ones Talk to trustworthy people you know who have gone through a divorce. It can be an awkward topic of conversation, but they may be a font of information for you. Whether they had a great or subpar divorce attorney, they can advise you on qualities and red flags to look for that you might not be aware of. Don't Let Appearances Fool You Keep in mind that advertisements are created to attract business. Law firms that advertise aren't all poor choices, but you need to do more homework than just watching a commercial or billboard. Speaking with loved ones, checking online testimonials, and visiting their website can help arm you with more information so you can ask pertinent questions should you decide to consult with divorce lawyers who advertise. Consider All of the Angles Divorce is not as simple as stating that you no longer want to be married to your spouse. There are various aspects that you need to understand before you start litigation, including: Contested Divorce Uncontested Divorce Alimony Child Support Child Custody Modifications of the Divorce The Division of Assets Divorce litigation is thorough, and it can take time to iron out all of the details. Your divorce lawyer is with you every step of the way, but you need to be aware of everything that will come up during a divorce proceeding. Know Your Budget Different divorce attorneys will charge in different ways for their services. They may charge a flat rate or hourly. They may or may not charge for faxing, printing, and copying documents. Remember that if they're hourly, whenever you pick up the phone to vent to them about your divorce, your bill is tallying up. This isn't to say avoid using them as a resource. You just need to create a budget and stick to the plan. If you are looking for a divorce or family lawyer in McDonough, GA, South Atlanta Family Law Firm is here to help. We have over a decade of experience advocating for our clients during family law proceedings and are eager to help you navigate your divorce process. Visit our website or contact us today for more information.

The process of divorce is different for all parties depending on the nature of the situation. There are many reasons why a couple may choose to divorce. These are stated at the beginning of the proceedings by citing “grounds” for divorce. While many people believe divorces only occur due to one party’s fault, this is not always accurate. Spouses going through a divorce in the state of Georgia can cite either fault or no-fault grounds. During these situations, it is important to retain the services of an experienced Georgia divorce attorney for assistance. Grounds for Divorce in Georgia Spouses who want to hold their partner responsible for their divorce can cite fault grounds. In Georgia, there are several different actions that constitute fault grounds, including: Adultery Desertion Impotency Cruelty Lack of mental capacity Incarceration for over 2 years Habits of intoxication Habitual drug addiction Pregnancy outside of marriage Fraudulent or forced marriage Incurable mental illness On the other hand, no-fault grounds can be cited when neither party wants to hold the other responsible. These situations usually occur when a couple believes their marriage has broken down and can no longer be repaired. This is also known as an “Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage.” Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce Couples are required to determine the future of their marital issues in a divorce. This can include matters such as child custody, child support, alimony, the division of assets, and more. Spouses who are unable to reach agreements can find themselves in a contested divorce. This is often the case when fault grounds are cited, as spouses in these situations tend to disagree. This can require the couple to divorce through litigation in court, allowing a judge to make decisions for them. When spouses can agree to the terms of their divorce, it is known as an uncontested divorce. This is more often seen in situations where no-fault grounds are cited, as these spouses may be better at communicating with each other. In these cases, spouses may participate in alternative divorce methods such as mediation, arbitration, or a collaborative divorce. These processes allow spouses to discuss their marital issues in a more productive way to reach agreements on their own terms. Contact our Firm Alfred Law Firm, LLC is proud to serve clients in Georgia when they face legal matters related to family law and criminal defense. When legal issues arise, it is important to have the guidance of an experienced attorney that can help you obtain a favorable outcome. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation. The post What are Grounds for Divorce in Georgia? appeared first on Alfred Law Firm, LLC.