The Stress of the Divorce Process
The ending of a marriage by divorce can be a perplexing ordeal. You have had the best advice and representation from your attorney, but for some reason, it seems that after the judgement has been made, the process is still not complete. The attorney at the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC, your Paulding divorce attorney, will continue to be at your assistance to help update all necessary documents and forms.
Things that should be updated after a divorce
It is very important that you take time to update certain estate planning documents like your Last Will and Testament, Your Health Care Directive, and Power of Attorney, because these are things that address your assets and property, health care wishes, and who you choose as a representative in the case of an emergency. Divorce is a life-changing event, and your Paulding divorce lawyer will help you with changing your beneficiaries, or agents, to ensure that your best interest is maintained.
Other Important Documents to Update
The Paulding County family law attorneys will also help with updating an End-of-Life plan that will outline your personal wishes in regard to your remains and funeral. You can also update your guardian for any minor children. The Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC will also help with updating your name change if you choose not to keep your ex-spouse’s family name and return to your maiden name. If you change your name, do not forget to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to change your driver’s license as quickly as possible.
Divorce is overwhelming, and you need expert legal representation to help you through the process. Allow the Paulding divorce attorney to do all the work involved for you. With over 25 years of service to clients in Georgia, they are the family and divorce lawyers you can trust and depend on.
As the holidays approach, it’s easy to get stressed out thinking about where your children will celebrate these important occasions. Both parents are likely to want to have the kids make memories and participate in holiday traditions with extended family members. Instead of being drawn into an argument with your ex about your children over the holidays, which is sure to stress the kids out, consult your parenting plan for help.
Creating a Parenting Plan with Time Sharing
If you used the services of a divorce attorney Dallas GA, there should be a child custody plan established that sets out what holidays the children will celebrate and how they will divide time on those holidays. If you do not have one, it isn’t too late to create one that you and your ex agree on and file it in the court. In addition to the holidays that fall under your family’s religion, you’ll also need to consider where they will spend school breaks, teacher planning days, and national holidays like the Fourth of July.
How Should You Split the Holidays?
Some popular custody arrangements for parents who split custody of children over the holidays include:
- Alternating where the children spend the holidays each year
- Splitting time on special days by establishing the hours each parent will have them
- Allowing the regular custody schedule to dictate where the children will go
Can Holiday Visitation Schedules Be Modified?
In most cases, the holiday visitation schedule can be modified. In order to make these changes official, both parents must sign off on them in writing and file them with the court. If the parents can’t agree, the matter will have to go before a judge to decide whether to modify. At that time, you will have to have a Georgia uncontested divorce lawyer or family court lawyer help you as you appear in court.
If you can’t come to an agreement with your ex, you might find the services of a Dallas child custody attorney helpful. At the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC, we have the experience and knowledge to help you get a set schedule for holiday visitation with your children.
When a couple is getting married, they may want to discuss and decide ahead of time how they would like to resolve their financial situation before they get a divorce. The written agreement is a prenuptial agreement and documents the couple’s wishes, such as division of property and alimony, if they decide to get divorced. For help writing up a prenuptial agreement or to get answers about what should be included, speak with a divorce attorney Dallas GA.
What should be covered in the agreement?
A prenuptial agreement is a contract two people enter into before getting married. Typically, this agreement spells out what happens should their marriage end. Items to include in the agreement, including how the property (homes, cars, etc.) gets divided, how debts are to be handled, and how to deal with other financial situations in the event of divorce. Additionally, if the couple owns a business, a prenuptial agreement covers what happens to the company and how it will get divided.
A Dallas GA divorce attorney can help ensure everything that needs to be included in a prenuptial agreement.
What is not covered?
There are some things a prenuptial agreement cannot cover. Though the agreement determines who takes care of what bills, it cannot take away a spouse’s responsibility to pay their debts before the marriage. Additionally, a prenuptial agreement in Georgia can never determine child custody or support. The judge makes this determination when filing the divorce based on the needs and best interest of the child or children.
How your attorney can help ensure everything is covered that can be in agreement
Divorce lawyers in Dallas GA can help determine what needs and should be included in your prenuptial agreement. Additionally, the attorney can help negotiate for terms in your best interest. Once everything is agreed upon, the attorney handles all filing of any necessary paperwork associated with the agreement.
Call to schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC to discuss your upcoming marriage and prenuptial agreement needs.
Every year, tens of thousands of children are born outside of marriage in the United States. Fathers often assume that, because they have been in a committed relationship with the mother, that they automatically have rights concerning their child. This may be true in some states, but in the state of Georgia, there are no automatic father’s rights. The mother is the only one allowed physical or legal custody of the child. The father would need to go through the process of establishing paternity, and legitimating the child, or lose all legal rights involving the custody and care of the child. The law office of William R. Pike Law LLC can assist you in getting the rights you deserve with your child.
The child custody attorney Dallas GA, can help you with the process necessary to obtain your legal paternity rights. The easiest way to establish paternity is for both parents to sign and file a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, which can be facilitated with the help of the child custody attorney Dallas, William R. Pike. The next step is to legitimate your child because just having your name on the birth certificate does not establish a legal relationship. The Dallas child custody attorney can help you take this to the Superior Court if the mother refuses any attempt on your behalf to legitimate your child.
The Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC is the Dallas father’s rights attorney who can assist you with being a proactive father in the life of your child. Georgia does not grant automatic rights to an unwed father, so you can protect yourself and your child by retaining the father’s rights lawyer and following the process of obtaining legal rights and visitations with your child. Start planning for the birth of your child, or if the child is already here, by visiting the Law offices of William R. Pike Law LLC.
Breakups and divorce are very difficult. Things become even more complicated when there are children involved. You need to decide who will get custody of the children and figure out visitation, child support, and you will need to learn how to raise the children together, even though you and your ex are no longer together. Fortunately, this can be easily done when you hire a Dallas GA divorce attorney.
What Is a Co-Parenting Plan?
A co-parenting plan is a written document that both parents need to agree upon to and sign. The document outlines how you will work with your ex to raise your children when you are no longer together. Some parents go on a verbal agreement regarding how things will be done; however, this isn’t the best option. When you have a divorce attorney Dallas GA help with a legal co-parenting plan, you and your ex will be legally required to follow the stipulations in the document.
What Do You Need To Take Into Consideration?
When coming up with a co-parenting plan that everyone can agree upon, there are several things that need to be taken into consideration and included in the co-parenting plan. These include;
- The children’s school schedule: Who will drop off the children and pick them up and the time these things need to be done.
- Extracurricular activities: Will the cost associated with the activities be split between both parents, and who is responsible for drop off and pickup and the time these things should be done.
- The parent’s work schedule: This will determine who is available to handle pick up and drop off for school and extracurricular activities. Stipulations can also be included if a parent’s work schedule on a particular day makes it impossible for them to uphold their obligation for pickup or drop off.
- Holidays and vacations: Who will have the children during each major holiday, school vacations and summer vacation.
What If Changes Need To Be Made?
There are a few situations that would require a change in the co-parenting plan. These include:
- A permanent change in work schedules
- A long-distance move
- A change in either parents ability to care for the children
- A change in the children’s needs due to their age, health, etc.
If changes need to be made, Dallas GA divorce attorneys can file a motion with the court to modify the co-parenting plan accordingly.
What Is Your Attorney’s Role In the Co-parenting Plan?
Your attorney will help you create a co-parenting plan based on your schedule, your needs and the needs of your children. They will also work with your ex’s attorney to negotiate the stipulations in the agreement to ensure both parents are happy with the outcome. The attorney will be there with you in court for a judge to sign-off on the agreement, making it legally binding.
If you need to create a co-parenting plan, the professionals at the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC can help. We can help create a co-parenting plan that with make both parties happy.
Helping the Children of Divorce
Divorce is a difficult process for the separating parties, but it can be far worse for children of the divorcing couple. The Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC can help with both the legal and the personal consequences of a divorce, and can especially be helpful when children are involved.
Dealing with children during a divorce is dependent upon the age and maturity of the youngsters. In the case of young children, the message should be simple and concise. However, older children will still require support and sympathy. The best way to help them is through the type of planning that can be provided by a Dallas GA divorce attorney.
One of the most important issues pertains to child custody. In some cases, one parent may have sole custody. In cases involving joint custody, the time shared may be equal or may favor one parent. The children will have understand whether they will continue to live in the same home or, at least, in the same community, and whether they will continue attending the same school. Custody issues are so important that they require legal advice, the type available from Dallas GA divorce attorneys.
In terms of personal behavior, children can suffer great emotional harm when witnessing conflicts between their parents. This is why it is important for parents to avoid arguments or serious confrontations in front of them. In cases where one party has become abusive, it may be necessary for the other to seek a temporary protective order. This can be done with the help of a divorce attorney Dallas GA.
Although the parents may be at odds, it is still possible to create a caring environment for the children of a divorce. In the event of a separation, the best way to ensure fair treatment for everyone involved is by turning to the services available from the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC.
How to make Co-Parenting Plans Effective
Breakups and divorce are very difficult. Things become even more complicated when there are children involved. You need to decide who will get custody of the children and figure out visitation, child support, and you will need to learn how to raise the children together, even though you and your ex are no longer together. Fortunately, this can be easily done when you hire a Dallas GA divorce attorney.
What Is a Co-Parenting Plan?
A co-parenting plan is a written document that both parents need to agree upon to and sign. The document outlines how you will work with your ex to raise your children when you are no longer together. Some parents go on a verbal agreement regarding how things will be done; however, this isn’t the best option. When you have a divorce attorney Dallas GA help with a legal co-parenting plan, you and your ex will be legally required to follow the stipulations in the document.
What Do You Need To Take Into Consideration?
When coming up with a co-parenting plan that everyone can agree upon, there are several things that need to be taken into consideration and included in the co-parenting plan. These include;
- The children’s school schedule: Who will drop off the children and pick them up and the time these things need to be done.
- Extracurricular activities: Will the cost associated with the activities be split between both parents, and who is responsible for drop off and pickup and the time these things should be done.
- The parent’s work schedule: This will determine who is available to handle pick up and drop off for school and extracurricular activities. Stipulations can also be included if a parent’s work schedule on a particular day makes it impossible for them to uphold their obligation for pickup or drop off.
- Holidays and vacations: Who will have the children during each major holiday, school vacations and summer vacation.
What If Changes Need To Be Made?
There are a few situations that would require a change in the co-parenting plan. These include:
- A permanent change in work schedules
- A long-distance move
- A change in either parents ability to care for the children
- A change in the children’s needs due to their age, health, etc.
If changes need to be made, Dallas GA divorce attorneys can file a motion with the court to modify the co-parenting plan accordingly.
What Is Your Attorney’s Role In the Co-parenting Plan?
Your attorney will help you create a co-parenting plan based on your schedule, your needs and the needs of your children. They will also work with your ex’s attorney to negotiate the stipulations in the agreement to ensure both parents are happy with the outcome. The attorney will be there with you in court for a judge to sign-off on the agreement, making it legally binding.
If you need to create a co-parenting plan, the professionals at the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC can help. We can help create a co-parenting plan that with make both parties happy.
How to Protect your Children during the Divorce Process
Helping the Children of Divorce
Divorce is a difficult process for the separating parties, but it can be far worse for children of the divorcing couple. The Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC can help with both the legal and the personal consequences of a divorce, and can especially be helpful when children are involved.
Dealing with children during a divorce is dependent upon the age and maturity of the youngsters. In the case of young children, the message should be simple and concise. However, older children will still require support and sympathy. The best way to help them is through the type of planning that can be provided by a Dallas GA divorce attorney.
One of the most important issues pertains to child custody. In some cases, one parent may have sole custody. In cases involving joint custody, the time shared may be equal or may favor one parent. The children will have understand whether they will continue to live in the same home or, at least, in the same community, and whether they will continue attending the same school. Custody issues are so important that they require legal advice, the type available from Dallas GA divorce attorneys.
In terms of personal behavior, children can suffer great emotional harm when witnessing conflicts between their parents. This is why it is important for parents to avoid arguments or serious confrontations in front of them. In cases where one party has become abusive, it may be necessary for the other to seek a temporary protective order. This can be done with the help of a divorce attorney Dallas GA.
Although the parents may be at odds, it is still possible to create a caring environment for the children of a divorce. In the event of a separation, the best way to ensure fair treatment for everyone involved is by turning to the services available from the Law Offices of William R. Pike Law LLC.
You’ve probably heard of contempt of court, which basically refers to being disobedient or disrespectful towards the court and its officers, such as the judge, but did you know that there is also specifically such a thing as Contempt of Court with Child Custody?
As any family law attorney would tell you, such as a Paulding GA child custody attorney, this specific type of custody pertains to the offense of substantially interfering in a child custody or visitation rights.
For example, the custodial parent blocking visitation rights, or communication, with the other parent, which is otherwise allowed by the court can be found to be in contempt of court with child custody.
The parent seeking relief may resort to filing a case with the court, with the help of a Paulding child custody attorney.
Child Custody Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, judges involved in a child custody case are required to consider certain factors impacting the child’s best interests. These include each parent’s ability to care for the child, their physical and mental capacity, the strength of bonds with the child, and the kind of home environment they can provide for the child.
Both parents should have equal rights when it comes to arranging who takes custody of the child. But given the listed factors above, the court may also end up awarding sole custody to one parent instead, with the other merely being afforded visitation rights. Although one parent would have sole custody, the visitation rights awarded by the court must be faithfully enforced, to ensure that the parental rights of the non-custodial parent is retained. Otherwise, the case becomes ripe for contempt of court with child custody.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Contempt of court with child custody could have serious repercussions not only on both parents but the child itself. If the non-custodial parent feels that their visitation rights are indeed being infringed upon, then it is recommended to seek counsel from a Paulding County GA child custody attorney, such as those from William R. Pike Law LLC.
The lawyers can help file the case before the court, as well as present evidence proving the claim, so that the non-custodial parent can get the enforcement they need for the visitation rights.
Child custody is one of the more difficult points of contention during a divorce. Depending on how amicable or hostile the situation is, the couple may need to hire a Paulding GA child custody attorney as well to make sure they protect their parental rights.
That situation is pretty clear-cut, but what if the custody battle takes place outside of a divorce because the parents of the child are not married to begin with? Do unmarried mothers have to file for custody in court?
Child custody laws in Georgia for unmarried mothers
In Georgia, unmarried mothers get sole custody of the child by default, therefore they do not need to file for child custody. Instead, it is the father who would have to file for visitation rights with the court.
Even with the paternity established, this does not mean that the father can immediately have custody. The issues of custody and visitation have to be pursued and ordered separately, all thought such can be done in the same legal action.
Determining paternity can be as simple as having the father sign in the birth certificate recognizing the role. In case of doubt, genetic testing may also be completed, and then filed with the courts through the help of a Paulding child custody attorney.
How a lawyer can help
For child custody cases, whether or not the parents are married, it is advisable that they seek help from a Paulding County GA child custody attorney, such as those from William R. Pike Law LLC.
They can help file the necessary paperwork required by the court to facilitate the case, gather evidence to present viability for custody, as well as prepare strong arguments to support the case.
The court will be judging the matter of child custody based on the best interests of the child. It is therefore up to the non-custodial parent to make a strong case before the court so that they can earn more rights as a parent, and be given the opportunity to be with their child.
Do Unmarried Mothers have to file for custody?
Child custody is one of the more difficult points of contention during a divorce. Depending on how amicable or hostile the situation is, the couple may need to hire a Paulding GA child custody attorney as well to make sure they protect their parental rights.
That situation is pretty clear-cut, but what if the custody battle takes place outside of a divorce because the parents of the child are not married to begin with? Do unmarried mothers have to file for custody in court?
Child custody laws in Georgia for unmarried mothers
In Georgia, unmarried mothers get sole custody of the child by default, therefore they do not need to file for child custody. Instead, it is the father who would have to file for visitation rights with the court.
Even with the paternity established, this does not mean that the father can immediately have custody. The issues of custody and visitation have to be pursued and ordered separately, all thought such can be done in the same legal action.
Determining paternity can be as simple as having the father sign in the birth certificate recognizing the role. In case of doubt, genetic testing may also be completed, and then filed with the courts through the help of a Paulding child custody attorney.
How a lawyer can help
For child custody cases, whether or not the parents are married, it is advisable that they seek help from a Paulding County GA child custody attorney, such as those from William R. Pike Law LLC.
They can help file the necessary paperwork required by the court to facilitate the case, gather evidence to present viability for custody, as well as prepare strong arguments to support the case.
The court will be judging the matter of child custody based on the best interests of the child. It is therefore up to the non-custodial parent to make a strong case before the court so that they can earn more rights as a parent, and be given the opportunity to be with their child.
