Practice Areas
Divorce
The Divorce process is one of the most difficult and emotional things that a person will ever go through. It is important for a person who faces a divorce to be well informed and well educated about the process and laws. The Sauls Law Firm likes to help its clients learn and understand the process it takes to get a divorce. With this being said, I have taken the time to gather information on some frequently asked questions and concerns new clients have when they consult with me.
Child Support
CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES
Georgia set new Child Support Guidelines that took effect on January 1, 2007, and apply to all pending civil actions filed after this date. The new guidelines have a few more consideration than did the old Georgia rules on Child Support. The following are a few of those new considerations:
Family Violence
Family Violence is a serious offense, and this form of abuse is among the deadliest in our nation. Family Violence is often a cycle, one spouse abuses the other, then apologizes for the abuse. The next time the abuse occurs it often progresses and becomes even more violent than the first incident. The fact is Family Violence and Sexual Assault are leading causes of injuries for girls and women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the state of Georgia. If you find yourself in an abusive relationship please get yourself some help. Georgia has strict laws on family violence, and offenders should be punished under these laws.
Criminal Defense
You are a family member has been charged with a crime. This is serious business, and you have a genuine right to be terrified . So many times, I have had clients who try to handle these things by themselves and it turns into a big mess. You need representation, or at least you need to speak to an attorney. The Sauls Law Firm can help you and we can get you pointed in the right direction. I handle all types of cases, and the following are a few areas in which I practice.
Child Custody
CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION
Most parents care about their children and want the best for them. For this reason, child custody and visitation matters can cause great animosity and cause contentious disputes between parents and family members. Georgia law has strict provisions governing child custody and visitation, and Georgia Courts always consider "the best interest of the child" But when it comes down to it, the judge has considerable discretion in deciding these matters. To protect your rights and interests, you need effective representation when these disputes arise.
Child Support Enforcement
CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
If you are a parent, you are responsible for supporting your child whether or not you are actually seeing your child. If your noncustodial ex-spouse has failed to pay child support, talk to a law firm that will take immediate and aggressive action to enforce the court's child support order.
Modifications of Child Support
Times are changing, and as we all know we are fortunate if we are able to maintain our current employment and pay rates. Unfortunately, many of us have lost jobs, or we have been forced to take pay cuts in efforts to maintain employment. Many parents who pay Child Support can't afford the current amount they are ordered to pay. The Sauls Law Firm wants you to understand you are not the only person facing this situation.
Domestic Mediation
Mediation is defined, as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) aimed to assist two parties in reaching an agreement. The parties themselves determine the conditions of any settlements reached rather than accepting something imposed by the court who knows a limited amount about your family circumstances. In the case of family law and divorce, mediation can be an invaluable tool to determine common ground, test the validity of certain theories of the case, and gather vital information. Most importantly, however, mediation is a tried-and-true method to try to settle disputes in such a manner that each party puts his/her stamp of approval on the outcome rather than 'rolling the dice' on the decision of a judge or jury who likely has limited time to gain true insight into the nuances of your family.
Paternity and Legitimation
In Georgia, Legitimation is a legal term used when a minor child's father petitions the court in order to determine his legal parental rights to said minor child. Most often an order of Paternity is sought out in an attempt by a mother to obtain child support payments from the biological father of her minor child. Either form (a suit for Legitimation or Paternity) will establish custody and visitation rights of a biological parent with their minor child. Whether you are the respective father or mother, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to see what is needed to legitimate your child. A written agreement may be needed to establish paternity, but in the case of a contested paternity situation, a DNA test will likely be necessary.
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