Assisting West Georgians With Family Law Matters
At Duke & Heath, Attorneys at Law, we understand that your family matters more than anything else in your life. Whether you are considering a divorce, trying to manage a visitation schedule to spend time with your child or struggling to escape violence in your own home, Georgia law provides a means for you to seek the justice you need.
Our lead attorney, Desiree D. Duke, has prior experience working for large corporations and as a district attorney. Her broad knowledge base gives her the ability to handle everything from complicated asset division disputes to serious domestic violence allegations.
“I fight when I need to fight, and I compromise when I need to compromise. I do what is best for my clients in all situations.” — Lawyer Desiree D. Duke
Unearthing The Legal Solution That Is Best For You
If you choose our Carrollton and Cartersville, GA law firm, we will dig through the evidence, do our homework and unearth real solutions to your problems. We can also answer your questions and assist you with:
- Ending a marriage through contested (in court), uncontested (negotiated) and high-asset divorce actions
- Adopting a child, including adoptions by stepparents, grandparents and other third parties
- Determining child custody and parenting time arrangements
- Calculating child support or modifying those amounts
- Negotiating alimony, technically called spousal support
- Ending domestic abuse, including obtaining orders for protection to help protect targets of violence from abusers
- Addressing LGBT concerns related to divorce, custody and other matters
- Dealing with juvenile issues, including Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (GDFCS) child removal hearings and delinquency hearings
- Dividing marital property under the equitable distribution laws
- Establishing paternity and legitimation to confirm a child’s parentage and/or legal status
- Modifying orders for child support, alimony or regarding child custody or visitation schedules
- Pursuing contempt actions against parties who fail to obey court orders (such as parents who fail to pay child support)
- Obtaining guardian ad litem appointments (representing the interests of minor children, as appointed by the court)
We also explore with clients the best approach for your case, including traditional negotiation, mediation, collaborative divorce or courtroom litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law Matters In Georgia
Duke & Heath, Attorneys at Law, can answer any questions you have about your family matters. You can call today for a free consultation to discuss your concerns. You may find the answers to your questions below:
How is child support calculated in Georgia?
Georgia calculates child support based on a shared income model. This model considers the total gross income of both parents, the number of children involved and several other factors. Once calculated, one parent may be required to make child support payments to the other because of income differences.
What is equitable distribution?
Equitable distribution means marital assets are divided based on what is fair rather than evenly. There are a few factors that can influence the fair division of marital assets, including:
- The length of a marriage
- The income of both spouses
- The education and skills of both spouses
- Financial contributions to a marriage
- The size of the marital estate
- Financial needs of both spouses
- Tax considerations
Certain assets are not included in the equitable distribution of the estate, such as separate assets, gifts and inheritance.
When can I modify an original divorce order?
Even though a divorce is finalized, a change to the divorce agreement may be necessary. Typically, it must be proven that there are significant changes in circumstances to alter a divorce order. Some common reasons to modify an original divorce order include:
- Modifications to a custody arrangement after a parent moves, loses their job or violates the arrangement
- Modifications to child support because of financial difficulties
- Modifications to spousal support because of financial changes or grounds to end the financial support
If there was a legal mistake with a divorce order, it may be necessary to file a motion to correct the issue.
How do courts decide parenting time arrangements in Georgia?
If a court has to decide on parenting time arrangements, a judge will typically consider the best interests of the child. The best interests of a child include factors that could impact a child’s well-being, upbringing and safety.
Let Us Begin Resolving Your Concerns — Call 678-390-5577
Duke & Heath, Attorneys at Law, seeks prompt, cost-effective solutions for clients whenever possible. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or by phone. Call 678-390-5577 for our Carrolton office, or 470-964-6279 for our Cartersville office. One of our Carroll County family law attorneys will sit down with you, discuss your legal issues and offer viable solutions.