Alimony is often one of the most misunderstood parts of the divorce process in Georgia. Many people are unsure how it works, who qualifies, and how much support might be awarded. If you’re preparing for divorce in McDonough or anywhere in Henry County, having a clear understanding of alimony can help you make informed decisions about your future. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Alimony?
Alimony is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce. It is designed to help the receiving spouse maintain financial stability, especially if there is a gap in income or earning potential. Georgia courts may award temporary or long-term alimony depending on the specific facts of the case.
Because a mother gives birth to the child, her connection is clear and instantly established at the moment of birth. The rights of a father are just as strong as those of a mother, but they can be trickier to establish. Talk to a paternity lawyer right away to find out what your rights are and how to establish them under Georgia law.
What Every Father Needs to Know About His Rights in Georgia
Married Fathers
Under George’s law, when a child is born to a married woman, her husband is automatically presumed to be the father.
Unmarried Fathers
Things start to get trickier when the child’s parents are not married. In this case, a father has to establish his rights before the law will recognize them. The first and simplest way to do this is if the parents agree on who the father is and are happy to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form, which usually happens at the hospital when the child is born. If you and the child’s mother neglected this step at the time of your child’s birth, you can do it at the Department of Health. A VAP becomes legally binding in two months and is very difficult to challenge once it is, so make sure you’re confident before signing.
If the parents don’t agree about who the father is, either of them can ask the court to order a DNA test to confirm it. If the test shows a man to be the father of a child, the judge will then declare the man the legal father.
Establishing paternity doesn’t in itself establish all the father’s other rights automatically. It’s merely the first step towards gaining visitation and custody rights, though it does establish support obligations.
Getting Legitimation
Legitimation is the next step. This is usually straightforward if the mother agrees, but if she doesn’t, she has sole custody until the father brings a Petition for Legitimation. If the petition is accepted, then the father can seek custody and visitation rights, and the child has the right to inherit from him and can benefit from his insurance policy, if it covers children.
Read the rest of this entry »Georgia’s child support laws have seen a major update in 2026, impacting how support is calculated and enforced across the state. These changes affect how parenting time is considered, how support amounts are calculated, and how courts define parental responsibilities. Below is a breakdown of what’s changed and how it may affect your family law case in 2026.
Read the rest of this entry »Business Owner Divorce in Georgia, How Your Company Impacts Support, Property, and Custody
Divorcing as a business owner adds layers of complexity. In Georgia, your business may be considered marital property if it was started or grew during the marriage, even if your spouse wasn’t directly involved.
The court will determine whether the business is marital or separate property. If it is marital, the next step is to value the business, which often requires expert financial analysis. This valuation can affect how assets are divided and whether one spouse is entitled to a buyout.
When calculating child support or alimony, courts must consider business income, which may not always be straightforward. Business owners may have fluctuating income or blurred lines between personal and business expenses.
Your role as a business owner may also affect custody, especially if your schedule is demanding, involves travel, or lacks flexibility. The court will look at your ability to maintain a consistent parenting routine.
To protect your interests, make sure you gather detailed financial records, including tax returns, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements. Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements can also play a role in determining what portion of the business is subject to division.
If you’re a business owner facing divorce, preparation is key. Work with a legal team that understands both family law and the financial intricacies of business ownership.
Schedule a consultation with South Atlanta Family Law by calling 404-494-0027 or visiting www.southatlantafamilylaw.com. We’ll help you protect what you’ve built and move forward with clarity.
If you’re considering divorce and have significant assets, planning ahead is essential. High-net-worth divorces in Georgia come with unique financial and legal challenges.
The court will identify marital vs. separate property. Marital assets may include homes, investments, retirement accounts, businesses, and valuable personal property like art or collectibles. Even if assets are in one person’s name, they may still be divided.
Spousal support may be higher in these cases, especially if one spouse has been out of the workforce or maintained the home. Courts look at the standard of living during the marriage and each spouse’s future earning capacity.
Privacy is also a concern. Couple seeking a high-asset divorce, often seek to minimize publicity by negotiating settlements outside of court or requesting sealed records.
If you have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, the court will evaluate its validity and whether it was entered into voluntarily with full financial disclosure.
Valuing complex assets like businesses, intellectual property, or foreign investments requires the help of experienced attorneys and financial professionals.
Before you file, gather documentation, build a team, and understand what is at stake.
Schedule a confidential consultation with South Atlanta Family Law by calling 404-494-0027 or visiting www.southatlantafamilylaw.com. We’ll help you protect your assets and navigate your divorce with discretion and strategy.
How Are Custody Decisions Made in Georgia?
Fighting for custody of your own child is never easy, and if the child’s other parent is using your child to hurt you or making false claims about you, things can become especially hard. Get an experienced Atlanta, GA custody attorney on your side as soon as you can.
From an Atlanta, GA Custody Attorney: How Custody Decisions Are Made
The first and most important thing to know is that the court always makes decisions based on the standard of what’s in the best interests of the child. The courts are not permitted to put the parents’ needs before the child’s, nor are they allowed to favor one parent over the other. This means you and your lawyer will have to work together to present evidence to show why the custody arrangement you are asking for is in your child’s best interest.
Read the rest of this entry »In Metro Atlanta, a short distance on the map can mean a long commute in reality. If you and your co-parent live on opposite sides of town, that commute can significantly impact your custody arrangement.
Judges in Georgia are focused on the child’s stability and routine. If a parenting schedule involves long drives during peak traffic, missed school start times, or logistical chaos, the court may view it as unworkable.
Zoning matters too. If one parent moves to a different school district, it could mean changing schools or adjusting the parenting plan to accommodate the child’s education.
When creating or modifying a parenting plan, consider real-world logistics like:
– How far apart do you and your co-parent live?
– Can both of you realistically get the child to school or activities on time?
– Will the child be stuck in traffic every week just to meet a schedule?
Some families benefit from midpoint exchange locations or alternating school-year and summer schedules to make commuting more manageable.
If your current plan is no longer working due to job changes, new schools, or relocations, you may be eligible for a modification.
Schedule a consultation with South Atlanta Family Law by calling 404-494-0027 or visiting www.southatlantafamilylaw.com. Let’s make sure your parenting plan works for you and your child—both on paper and in practice.
Life changes fast, and your parenting or child support order may not reflect your current reality. In Georgia, you can request a modification if there has been a material change in circumstances.
Common reasons to modify child support include job loss, a significant raise or new job, health issues, or changes in the child’s financial needs. For custody, changes in living arrangements, school schedules, or parenting time patterns may qualify.
To modify an order, you must show that something substantial has changed since the last order was issued. You’ll need documentation—like updated income, medical records, school reports, or a parenting journal.
Keep in mind that you generally cannot request a new modification within two years of the last order, unless there is a qualifying exception.
Temporary emergency orders may also be available if the child’s health, safety, or education is at immediate risk.
Whether you’re seeking more time with your child or adjusting support due to new circumstances, it’s important to act quickly and follow the right legal steps.
Schedule a consultation with South Atlanta Family Law by calling 404-494-0027 or visiting www.southatlantafamilylaw.com. We’ll help you make sure your court orders evolve with your life.
It’s a stressful situation no parent wants to face. Your child was supposed to be returned at 6 PM, but it’s 6:30, 7:00, maybe later. When this happens once, it’s frustrating. When it becomes a pattern, it’s a serious legal issue.
In Georgia, parenting time is a court order, not a suggestion. If your co-parent repeatedly fails to return your child on time, you have legal options to protect your parenting rights and your child’s routine.
Is It Just a Delay or a Violation?
Occasional traffic delays happen. But if your co-parent consistently returns the children late, without communication or regard for the schedule, it may be considered a violation of your custody order.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 19-9-30), interfering with custody or visitation, whether through denial or consistent disruption, can lead to serious legal consequences.
Step 1: Document Everything
Before going to court, you need evidence. Start tracking: dates and times of late returns, communication attempts like texts, calls, or emails, your child’s emotional reaction, and any missed events, school attendance issues, or disruptions.
Using a parenting app like OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents, or even a shared calendar can help keep things clear, time-stamped, and court-admissible.
Step 2: Know Your Legal Options
If talking it out doesn’t work, you may need to take legal action.
Contempt of Court: If the co-parent is knowingly violating your parenting plan, the judge can find them in contempt. This may result in fines, makeup parenting time, attorney’s fees, or in extreme cases, jail time.
Custody Modification: If the lateness is part of a larger pattern of inconsistency or manipulation, you may be able to modify the custody order, especially if it’s harming the child’s well-being or stability.
Emergency Hearings: In rare but serious cases, such as refusal to return the child at all, you may request an emergency hearing to address custody enforcement immediately.
Step 3: Attempt Resolution First (When Safe)
Not every situation requires court. Sometimes a direct, respectful conversation or a formal letter from your attorney can reset expectations.
Try reviewing the parenting plan together, requesting that all exchanges happen in a neutral, documented location, or proposing calendar reminders and automated check-ins. If you feel unsafe communicating directly, let your attorney handle all contact.
The Bigger Picture, Your Child’s Routine Matters
Beyond legality, frequent delays can affect your child’s bedtime, meals, school preparation, sense of routine, emotional security, and their perception of boundaries and accountability. Judges care deeply about consistency and the child’s best interests. Showing that you’re prioritizing your child’s well-being, not just keeping score, strengthens your case.
Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse
Many parents wait too long before taking legal steps, hoping things will get better on their own. If your co-parent continues to ignore the custody order, you deserve support and protection.
Schedule a consultation with South Atlanta Family Law today by calling 404-494-0027 or visiting www.southatlantafamilylaw.com. Let’s protect your time with your child, because parenting time is a right, not a favor.
Do Prenuptial Agreements Expire?
Prenuptial agreements are a great way for a couple to clarify important financial issues and protect both of them for a happy long-term future. Generally speaking, they never expire, but you’ll always want to talk with an experienced family law attorney to make sure that your agreement is legally sound and enforceable in the state of Georgia.
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