Lennon, Giovinazzo & Steele Family Law provides a comprehensive guide to understanding alimony in Georgia, including factors courts consider in alimony decisions.

When a marriage is in turmoil, the way forward isn't always clear. Divorce might seem like the logical next step, but it's not the only option. Separate maintenance, which is a form of legal separation in Georgia, is an alternative that can be viable for many couples. At Lennon, Giovinazzo & Steele Family Law, we provide expert guidance on navigating these complex family law matters. In this blog post, we'll delve into the concept of separate maintenance in Georgia, its advantages and disadvantages, and how to determine if it's the best choice for your circumstance.

As the fight for LGBTQ rights and marriage equality continues to progress, it's essential to address the complexities surrounding same-sex divorces. At Lennon, Giovinazzo & Steele Family Law, our goal is to guide LGBTQ couples in Atlanta through the divorce process with understanding, expertise, and empathy. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss the distinctive aspects of LGBTQ divorce and how our team of experienced attorneys can assist you throughout the journey.

There are two types of custody: legal and physical. When most people hear the word “custody” they think only about physical custody: whom the children will live with. But the parenting plan must also address legal custody. Legal custody is the right to make important decisions about the raising of your children on issues such as education, extracurricular activities, healthcare, religious upbringing, etc. Both types of custody must be addressed in a document called the “parenting plan” before a judge will grant a divorce.

Georgia courts require a written parenting plan before parents can get divorced. Good parenting plans act as a handbook on how to effectively co-parent the children. One controversial element of the parenting plan is whether there should be a right of first refusal provision. Right of first refusal allows the non-custodial parent (i.e. the parent who does not have parenting time) to exercise visitation with their child when the custodial parent is unable to exercise parenting time for a specified period of time. I get asked a lot about whether it is the right move to include a right of first refusal provision in a parenting plan. And like most legal questions, it depends. Sorry, lawyers are annoying that way!

Gray divorce, or divorce involving couples over the age of 50, has become increasingly common in recent years. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, many couples are reevaluating their relationships and making the difficult decision to end their marriages. Lennon, Giovinazzo & Steele Family Law understands the unique challenges and considerations of gray divorce in Atlanta, and our team of experienced attorneys is here to provide expert guidance and support throughout the process.

When I meet with a potential client I am often faced with the unanswerable question of, “so after hearing my marriage story, should I get divorced?” People assume that because I am a divorce attorney, that I am pro-divorce. That simply isn’t true. I am pro-healthy marriage. If your marriage isn’t healthy then maybe you should explore other options. In short, I cannot answer the question of whether divorce is the right decision for you or your family, but I can help you identify if you are in an unhealthy marriage.

Of course, getting married is first and foremost about committing your life to someone you love. But it is also a legal relationship, much like a business partnership. So it might be helpful to think of a prenuptial agreement as insurance for your marriage—you hope you won’t need it, but if you do, you and your family will be very happy to have it.

Like most answers to legal questions the answer is — you guessed it — it depends! A forensic accountant could be pivotal when you are navigating a high asset or complicated divorce. A forensic accountant is also crucial if you suspect your spouse is hiding income or assets. If a case goes to trial, your forensic accountant will likely act as an expert witness.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be difficult for divorced or divorcing parents. Here are 6 ideas for how to co-parent during Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Get off to a good start on your divorce by organizing now. As divorce proceedings start moving forward, it is important to stay ahead of things so you aren’t overwhelmed later.

We’ve all dabbled in the occasional do-it-yourself project. Many of us have painted a bathroom, built IKEA furniture, or cut our child’s hair (this last one turned out very badly for my son). But there are some activities that I would never dream of DIYing. Brain surgery. Electrical work. Building a house—just to name a few. That’s because they require specialized expertise, can be dangerous, and may not be cost-effective. While being a divorce attorney is not akin to brain surgery, I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. Getting caught up in the short-term savings of not hiring an attorney may lead to a serious long-term financial loss.

Divorce is hard. I’ll say it again. Divorce is hard. How can you make the process easier? You and your spouse both need to make the conscious choice to divorce with dignity. An amicable divorce generally means no litigation, reduced costs and maintaining a good relationship with your ex. Here you will find some solutions to keep your dissolution amicable.