Atlanta Family Law Attorney Experienced With Legal Matters
At the Atlanta, Georgia, law practice of Jody A. Miller, Esq. Attorney At Law, we handle the following types of family law matters:
- Divorce, including the related areas of child custody, equitable distribution of property and debt, alimony and child support, and paternity
- Divorce mediation as a cost-effective and lower-tension alternative to litigation
- Post-divorce issues such as modifications to child support, alimony, custody and visitation
- Enforcement actions for child support, custody and child visitation, division of property and debt, and any other aspect of a divorce decree that has been violated
- Guidance through the process of adopting a child, including a stepchild, grandchild or adoption from outside the family
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to help guarantee your financial comfort no matter what happens in the future
- Paternity actions and related matters of child support and visitation
- Changing a legal name for an adult or minor child
- Domestic violence and restraining order assistance for victims and accused individuals
- Termination and preservation of parental rights related to child custody and visitation
- Dissolution of common law marriage (which was valid in Georgia before 1996)
Family Law Is Changing In Georgia
The laws relating to families have changed in past decades as judges and legislators have reconsidered and revised the legal issues involved in divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence and other family law matters. Family law has become entangled in national debates over family structure, gender bias and morality. Few legal areas are as emotionally charged as family law. Even with previous changes, family law remains a controversial and ever-changing area of law, which will continue to evolve as families and society evolve.
Issues such as child custody have also advanced in the courts as cultural and societal attitudes have changed. Mothers may have been favored in many custody disputes of the past, but fathers are given much more consideration than in the past. Custody battles, while always difficult and emotional, have become even more complicated as reproductive technology has increased the ways in which people can become parents. Family law lawyers and judges are faced with new, difficult and sensitive questions, such as who gets custody of fertilized embryos when a couple that was involved in infertility/assisted-reproduction treatments separates. Surrogate parenting also presents custody issues when the surrogate fails to abide by the surrogacy contract or wants visitation with the child. Equally difficult issues can arise when sperm or egg donors make some claim to their genetic offspring. These issues involve questions relating not only to custody laws, but also to those involving adoption, children’s rights and paternity. And as technology advances, the law will be presented with an even greater challenge to keep pace.
Another major change in family law in recent years is the recognition that many family disputes can be resolved through alternative dispute methods, such as mediation, as opposed to the traditional litigation process. As a result, many states have begun to explore other, nonadversarial alternatives, such as mandatory mediation in family law cases, which can save time and money and help maintain relationships.
Why You Need A Family Law Attorney
There are many reasons to seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney. An attorney will inform you of your rights and responsibilities and provide you with an array of legal options and the steps you can take to prepare yourself for a divorce, a prenuptial agreement or other domestic issue. Just a few of the reasons to contact a family law attorney are:
- The law is constantly changing and you need a professional who can advise you on the current state of the law.
- Judges have a lot of discretion in family law cases; an attorney is more informed of the strategies and information that help persuade a judge to rule in your favor.
- There are often “exceptions to the rules,” and you need an experienced family law attorney to guide you through the process.
Knowledge is power, and if you have a grasp of both the practical and legal aspects of your situation, you can make confident and informed decisions on these important matters.
At the law firm of Jody A. Miller, we provide competent, dedicated and compassionate representation on any family law matter in an atmosphere of service dedicated to the client.
Contact Us For Help With Your Family Law Issues
Please contact or call Jody A. Miller at 678-805-9576 and let our experience be of service to you. We work creatively to give you the legal advice you need to take control of your family law conflict, and will be by your side every step of the way.