Mary Elizabeth (MaryBeth) Forwood joined Timmons, Warnes & Associates LLP in January, 2011. Her practice centers on all family and child welfare law matters. In addition to adoption, child support modification, child custody modification, legitimation, visitation establishment and modification, guardian ad litem representation for foster children or child custody/divorce actions, contempt proceedings in all of these areas, she also handles contested and uncontested divorce. She is a trained forensic interviewer of children, with a current, in-depth knowledge on issues including special needs adoptions, foster care adoption/termination of parental rights, child sexual exploitation and computer/digital media issues, special needs students and education issues, including issues involving bullying in school and the workplace.

Ms. Forwood's passion for protecting the vulnerable is evident. She has an established reputation as a violence-against-women advocate and child advocate serving eighteen years as a Prosecutor in both adult and juvenile courts – most especially for Special Victims cases involving Child/Adult Sexual Assault, Child Physical Abuse and Domestic Violence. She began her career as a Child Protective Services Social Worker and has continued to focus on child welfare law in each of her legal positions. Having tried more than 60 major felony level jury trials as solo counsel, argued more than 50 oral arguments at both the State Supreme Court and Federal Court of Appeals levels, her well-rounded expertise, true sense of justice and comfort in the courtroom, is a benefit to every client from the first attempt at negotiation to the final stages of litigation.

A native of New Mexico, MaryBeth spent many years "out west" but truly enjoys and appreciates the climate, intrinsic warmth and hospitality of the southeast. She is an avid runner, having completed five marathons (including Boston), 10 half marathons, and more 10k and 5k races than she cares to tabulate. She is married to Jon Forwood, a Western Circuit Assistant District Attorney, and combined they have five children, three sons and two daughters, all grown. She also has a passion for dogs and cherishes her current yellow lab "Murphy" and his assistance as her running buddy.