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Q: Is probate necessary for social security benefits if a trust exists?
I am a widow after nearly 50 years of marriage, and I'm dealing with my late husband's social security retirement benefits. His social security card says I need to probate to access the remaining funds, but we have a trust. The local courthouse advised against using probate if there is a... View More 
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Jul 20, 2026
answered on Jul 20, 2026
I am very sorry for your loss of your husband, please accept my condolences for you and your family. Generally, you will work with social security directly as that is a USA federal Program, you can address as a spouse survivor benefits, retirement benefits, a $255 death benefit and anything else... View More
Q: Are children with boyfriend considered in child support obligations in Georgia?
My boyfriend is currently on child support for his daughter with his ex-wife in Georgia. We have two children together, and he is listed on their birth certificates. We're still together, but I'm considering whether I should put him on child support due to the significant amount he pays... View More
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 19, 2026
answered on Jul 19, 2026
In GA, children are only listed on a child support worksheet if they live in the house with the parent full time, and that parent pays for the majority of their care, or if there is a child support order for those children through a court. If you petition a court for child support, they will list... View More
Q: How to regain custody of children after voluntary temporary custody in Georgia?
I live in Florida and my children live in Georgia. I voluntarily signed temporary custody over to my mother-in-law for the safety of my kids. There are no ongoing legal proceedings regarding this agreement. How can I go about regaining custody of my children now that I want them back?
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 19, 2026
answered on Jul 19, 2026
How you can obtain custody of your children again depends on how custody was given away. If this was done through the Court, then you have to have an Order returning custody to you. If this was informal, and not done through the Court, then they can simply give the children back to you. If you... View More
Q: How can I seek custody of my son due to mother's drug use concerns in GA?
I am seeking a temporary order in Monroe County, GA, to keep my son with me due to concerns about his mother's potential drug use. I have visitation rights every other weekend, but my son has been living with me for the past 6 years. Recently, while picking him up from his mother in Florida,... View More
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 19, 2026
answered on Jul 19, 2026
If you have visitation but want to have custody legally, the only recourse you have is to file for a modification and petition the Court for primary physical custody. The mother would need to be served and the case would proceed from there. But until a court modifies your existing order, you have... View More
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Q: How to address child support contempt with existing suspended payments?
My husband has been incarcerated due to a contempt order for child support dated June 9th. He possesses certified documents from another county declaring that child support payments were suspended from February 2013 until further notice, and the Department of Human Services has sent us a letter... View More
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 19, 2026
answered on Jul 19, 2026
I don't think any steps can be taken other than hiring an attorney. Child support payments don't get suspended. Child support enforcement may simply close a case. But only a court order dismissing a case can end someone's child support obligation. There is no suspension. As a... View More
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