Author Archives: S. Mark Mitchell
Common Visitation Violations and What to Do About Them
Child custody after a divorce can be a source of perpetual friction between ex-spouses. Some of the most troublesome problems concern visitation, also known in Georgia as parenting time. This generally occurs when the custodial parent intrudes upon the other parent’s rights as set forth in the custody order. When this occurs, the noncustodial parent […]
Qualifying for Spousal Support After a Georgia Divorce
Spousal support, also known as alimony, may be awarded to a spouse in need of financial assistance after a divorce, provided that the other spouse has the ability to pay. Unless the parties come to an agreement about the amount and duration of support, the court will make the determination. By statute, Georgia courts may […]
How Child Support Is Calculated in Georgia
As in most states, child support that is ordered by a Georgia court is paid to the parent having primary custody of the children. At one time, Georgia calculated child support based solely on the income of the non-custodial parent having the obligation to pay. But in 2007, Georgia switched to a system that considers […]
What if Your Injuries After a Car Crash Don’t Show Up Right Away?
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, you don’t necessarily know if you’ve suffered a serious injury or how severe it is. The crash may have seemed like just a fender bender with minor damage to each vehicle. You may have bumped your head or twisted your neck, but other than that you felt […]
Who Gets the Family Home in a Georgia Divorce?
Dividing property during a divorce can be a painstaking process, especially when there is contention over each spouse’s share of ownership. There is perhaps no asset more difficult to divide than the family home. This is often the spouses’ largest single piece of property and usually means more to them than a parcel of valuable […]
Suing a Government Agency for Accident Injuries
When you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, you naturally to want to hold the person at fault accountable for your monetary damages. This may include suing a private company and in some cases a government agency. A negligent driver may have been working for the state or a county or municipality at the time […]
Important Steps to Take in Planning for Divorce
If you are considering a divorce, you should know that there are many steps you can take — even before you tell your spouse — that will help protect your rights and make the divorce process easier for you. This is a general list to help you get started. Take inventory of your assets and […]
Proving Paternity to Establish Entitlement to Child Support
Fathers have a legal duty to provide financial support for their minor children, but enforcing that duty depends on showing that paternity exists. This may require a separate legal proceeding if the presumed father denies the child is his. A man may dispute paternity or be unaware that he might have fathered a child. A […]
When and How Can Spousal Support Be Modified in Georgia?
After a divorce, one spouse may be entitled to receive financial support from the other. Spousal support, also commonly known as alimony, is most often awarded when one spouse has significantly less earning potential than the other and needs assistance to maintain a lifestyle at the level that existed during the marriage. Though support can […]
