Lawrenceville Family Blog
5 Factors That Affect Child Custody Decisions
Crystal Wright | January 30, 2023 | Child Custody
The primary concern in a Georgia child custody case is the best interest of the child. The judge considers all factors that impact the child’s best interest. In the end, the final decision is what the judge believes will benefit the child. Joint custody is often preferred because it allows parents to be active in… read more
In Georgia, if I Never Turned in My Marriage Certificate Am I Still Legally Married?
Crystal Wright | January 16, 2023 | Georgia Law
Before getting married in Georgia, you must apply for a marriage license. The marriage license does not state you are married. It merely permits you to get married in Georgia. A person applies for a marriage license from the probate court in the county where they reside. If neither party resides in Georgia, they apply… read more
What To Do If a Spouse Refuses To Move Out During a Divorce
Crystal Wright | December 26, 2022 | Divorce
A divorce can be a complex and emotional process. One of the challenges that can arise during a divorce is when one spouse refuses to move out of the shared home. A spouse refusing to move out during a divorce can be incredibly stressful if the couple has children. The situation can create a tense… read more
Can I Stop a Divorce if the Paperwork Has Already Been Filed in Georgia?
Crystal Wright | December 9, 2022 | Divorce
Most people who file for divorce in Georgia go through with the process until it is finalized. However, there are situations where a spouse or a couple might want to stop a divorce after the papers have been filed. Regardless of the situation, a Georgia family court judge can stop a divorce even after the… read more
How Long Do You Have To Be Married To Get Alimony in Georgia?
Crystal Wright | November 25, 2022 | Spousal Support
Some states base alimony on the duration of the marriage. However, there is no minimum mandatory time that you have to be married to get alimony in Georgia. In other words, Georgia does not have a standard formula to determine whether you receive spousal support in a divorce action. The general rule of thumb is… read more
What Does Child Support Cover in Georgia?
Crystal Wright | November 16, 2022 | Child support
Parents are legally obligated to support their children financially until their children become emancipated. The obligation does not end when the parents divorce or separate. Even when the parents were never married, each parent is expected to provide financially for their child. Georgia has child support guidelines that determine how much each parent should pay… read more
Can I Modify My Child Custody Arrangement Without Going to Court in Georgia?
Crystal Wright | November 15, 2022 | Child Custody
Oftentimes, co-parents decide to make changes to their child custody arrangements. For example, a parent might accept a new job that changes when they can exercise visitation. Another example might be a change in the child’s schedule that necessitates making changes to which parent takes care of the child each day. Informal changes to a… read more
What Happens if a Spouse Refuses To Sign the Divorce Papers in Georgia?
Crystal Wright | October 11, 2022 | Divorce
If you’re considering divorce in Georgia, you may be wondering what happens if your spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers. The answer may surprise you. In most cases, you can still get divorced even if your spouse doesn’t want to sign the papers. Here’s what you need to know. Georgia Divorce The Georgia divorce… read more
What Is Palimony?
Crystal Wright | September 20, 2022 | Spousal Support
Palimony is a non-legal term used to describe court-ordered financial support paid to a party by the other party of a non-marital relationship. Because the parties are not married and are not going through a divorce action, the payment is not referred to as alimony or spousal support. Instead, the payments are referred to as… read more
What Is an Ex Parte Custody Order in Georgia and When Do You Need One?
Crystal Wright | September 19, 2022 | Child Custody
If you and your child’s other parent do not live together or decide to separate or divorce, you must file a petition asking for custody. Without a formal custody order, both parents retain their rights regarding the child. A court is the only entity that can modify or revoke a parent’s legal rights. In most… read more