Posts by Scott Shaw
Will Seeing a Psychologist or Psychiatrist Have a Negative Effect on My Child Custody Case?
The fact that you have chosen to seek the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist during your child custody proceedings does not, in and of itself, negatively impact your case. Most parents experience a great deal of stress when they are embroiled in legal proceedings, and particularly in cases involving child custody, which obviously are…
Read MoreHow Do I Get Service of Process if My Spouse is in Another Country?
In today’s world, technology has made it possible for individuals to communicate, work together, and have relationships all across the world. When those relationships deteriorate, however, it is not uncommon for spouses to end up in different countries, which can make getting divorced more difficult, but not impossible. One issue that may arise in an…
Read MoreWhat Does a Guardian Ad Litem Do?
In a contested custody or divorce case, a court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem. A Guardian Ad Litem is an attorney appointed to represent the best interests of the child. They investigate and make recommendations to the court about what type of custody and parenting time plan would be best for the children involved. A…
Read MoreWho is Responsible for Birthing Expenses When Parents Are Not Married?
It is not uncommon for a man to discover many years after a child’s birth that he is the child’s father. Georgia’s child support laws only address a parent’s prospective child support obligation in a situation in which the parents of the child are not married. In other words, the statute does not specifically require…
Read MoreCan a Husband Ask for Alimony in a Georgia Divorce?
Years ago in Georgia and many other states, only women could receive alimony in divorce proceedings. Today, however, with the recognition that the husband is not always the breadwinner of the family, men and women both may be entitled to alimony in a Georgia divorce. Whether a court awards alimony to either spouse in a…
Read MoreIs a Split Custody Plan Best for My Child?
In a traditional Georgia divorce or paternity case, one parent receives custody of the child, and the other parent receives visitation or parenting time. These days, however, more and more parents are seeking more equal access to their children through a non-traditional split custody plan. In this type of parenting plan, each parent has primary…
Read MoreDeviations from Georgia Child Support Guidelines Due to Extraordinary Expenses
The Georgia Statute O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 provides that a judge or jury can deviate from the amount of child support calculated on the Child Support Worksheet based on different situations. Reasons for a deviation from the Georgia child support law include the following: High or low income Other health-related insurance Life insurance Child and dependent…
Read MoreCan My Driver’s License Be Suspended for Failure to Pay Child Support in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, if you fail to pay child support for a period of 60 days or more, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) can suspend your driver’s license. Georgia is not alone in taking this drastic step; many other states have license suspension programs linked to child support obligations, as well. In the…
Read MoreBaby Boomers and High-Asset Divorces
Twenty years ago, a divorce involving a person over the age of 50 was rare. Today, however, one in four people who are divorced are age 50 or older. The divorce rate for this demographic has doubled. As life spans have increased and divorce has become more culturally acceptable, the growth in divorce rates for…
Read MoreWhat Is a Guardian Ad Litem?
A Georgia court can appoint a Guardian Ad Litem in a child custody dispute to represent the best interest of the children who are involved in the dispute. A Guardian Ad Litem is an attorney who must meet certain qualifications in order to serve in this capacity, which are outlined at length in Georgia court…
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