Northwest Georgia Family Law Attorneys Helping You Seek A Brighter Future
When people think of a family law attorney, they usually think of someone who serves as a divorce lawyer or a custody lawyer. While this is true, family law is more than just divorce, alimony, child support and custody rights. It also includes adoption, guardianship and more. Our attorneys at Penland, Romans, & Rayburn Law Firm, GP, can assist you with any of these issues. Whether you are looking to add to your family through adoption or need to make the difficult decision to divorce, you can rely on skilled, client-focused representation backed by more than three decades of combined legal experience.
Offering Comprehensive And Caring Family Law Representation
Penland, Romans, & Rayburn Law Firm, GP, is a one-stop shop for nearly all your Georgia family law needs, including assistance with:
Divorce: When you and your spouse determine that ending your marriage is the best decision, you deserve a divorce lawyer who knows the law and can work on your behalf to resolve your dispute as efficiently and favorably as possible.
Separate maintenance: Known as legal separation in other states, separate maintenance in Georgia allows couples to largely disentangle their lives and make many decisions that would be made in divorce without officially ending the marriage.
Spousal support: Also known as alimony, spousal support is less common than in the past but may still be awarded when deemed necessary and appropriate. Whether you expect to pay or receive spousal support, you need a legal representative advocating for your rights and interests.
Property division: Our divorce lawyers work carefully and tirelessly to ensure you receive your fair share of marital assets under Georgia’s equitable distribution laws.
Child custody: Whether you are a mother or a father, you need a family law attorney who will advocate for your rights as a parent and work to protect the best interests of your children during child custody proceedings.
Child support: Both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children. Our family lawyers work to ensure that child support awards meet the needs of children while being as fair and sustainable as possible.
Paternity and legitimation: Unwed fathers have no automatic parental rights in Georgia. If you want to petition for custody or visitation of your children, you will first need to take a paternity test (which establishes biological fatherhood) and then go through the legitimation process (which establishes legal fatherhood). Our fathers’ rights attorneys are ready to provide support and guidance.
Adoption and guardianship: If you are seeking help with adoption or guardianship, you need an attorney familiar with and knowledgeable about relevant laws and processes adoption process in Georgia. Our team is ready for any legal complexities that arise, and our attorneys are honored to help clients grow and expand their families.
Domestic violence: Allegations of spousal or child abuse will have a major impact on divorce and custody proceedings. If you’ve been a victim, our legal team can help you seek safety and obtain a restraining order. However, if you’ve been falsely accused, our lawyers can both defend you against criminal charges and work to expose the truth.
Whether you need limited representation in an uncontested divorce or comprehensive family law services, our firm is here to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law In Northwest Georgia
Family law cases raise important questions that deserve clear answers. We have compiled responses to some of the most common questions we hear from clients across Northwest Georgia.
What is the mandatory waiting period for finalizing a divorce in Georgia?
Georgia law requires a minimum 30-day waiting period before a judge can finalize an uncontested divorce. This period begins on the date you serve the divorce petition on your spouse, or on the date your spouse formally acknowledges receipt.
When spouses cannot agree on key issues like property division or child custody, the timeline extends significantly. The case must move through mandatory mediation and discovery and may proceed to a full trial. This process often takes many months or more than a year to resolve.
Must you prove “fault” to obtain a divorce in a Georgia court?
No, you do not need to prove fault to dissolve your marriage in Georgia. Georgia recognizes 13 distinct legal grounds for divorce, including one no-fault ground: that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Filing on one of the 12 fault-based grounds, such as adultery, cruel treatment or continuous desertion, can significantly influence how a court divides marital property and whether it awards alimony.
How do Georgia courts apply “equitable distribution” to marital assets?
Equitable distribution does not guarantee a 50/50 split of the marital estate. In Georgia, a Superior Court judge, or a jury if requested, divides marital property based on what is fair under the specific circumstances of the case. The court weighs several statutory factors when reaching that decision, including:
- Length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s earning capacity
- Future financial needs of each party
- Contributions as a homemaker
- Marital misconduct that led to the wrongful dissipation of assets
The court divides only marital property, which are assets you and your spouse acquired during the marriage. You keep your separate property, which includes assets you owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance. The weight of each factor depends on the unique facts of your case.
Talk To Our Knowledgeable And Attentive Family Law Attorneys Today
It’s important to find a family law attorney who you trust to advocate for your best interests at all times. To learn more about how our caring lawyers at Penland, Romans, & Rayburn Law Firm, GP, can help, call us today at 706-842-9137 or reach out online to set up an initial consultation. When clients pay the $100 consultation fee, this is taken off of the over all retainer quoted by the attorneys. Not necessarily waived. From offices in Ringgold and Dalton, we serve clients throughout Northwest Georgia. Our Dalton office is available by appointment only.