Georgia Attorneys: Child Custody, Child Support & Alimony

For many parents, much of the uncertainty and stress involved in a divorce or other family law dispute arises from the issues of child custody and child support. Emotions run high. Thinking is not at its clearest. If you anticipate that child custody or visitation will be a point of contention, you want an experienced attorney to protect your rights and the rights of your children. At TW&A all of our attorneys are parents as well. We know that there is nothing more important to you than the well-being of your children.

Child Custody

There are two different components to child custody: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where and with whom the child will reside and spend the majority of his or her time. Legal custody refers to the ability of each parent to make decisions as to the upbringing of the child, including, for example, medical treatment, educational decisions and religious upbringing. It is common for parents to have “joint legal custody” meaning that each parent will have legal custody, while one parent will have primary physical custody. The parent without physical custody will usually have rights to visitation. We strive to resolve child custody issues in a manner that relieves some of the pressures associated with divorce. Mediation is often a less contentious method of dispute resolution. However, there are times when litigation is unavoidable. At those times, our firm will work tirelessly to protect your interests and those of your children.

Claims for Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) and Child Support

Claims for alimony and child support can be significant sources of contention in the divorce process. Georgia has statutory child support guidelines that the courts must consider when issuing a child support order. Deviations from the guidelines must be warranted by showing extenuating circumstances. Our divorce attorneys will review financial documents and other specific criteria to provide an accurate child support calculation that conforms to the child support guidelines.

In Georgia, alimony, also referred to as spousal support or spousal maintenance, is determined on a case-by-case basis. The courts will consider a number of factors when deciding whether to award alimony. Some of these factors are the respective incomes of each spouse, the age of each spouse and the length of the marriage, and the ability of each spouse to earn a living. Whether you are seeking spousal support or you disagree with the amount of spousal support being demanded of you, we will work to help you achieve your goals.

Contact Us

If you need to speak with a lawyer at TW&A about a personal or corporate legal matter please contact us. To better serve you we have offices in downtown Athens and in Watkinsville.