Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Alake Colwell Furlow
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Who is responsible for child support?

My brother had a relationship with a woman who is still married, but separated. She became pregnant. Said child is now two years old. The mother is trying to go after my brother for child support. Given that she is still legally married to someone else, who is legally responsible for paying child... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 31, 2023

If the mother believes your brother is the father she can open up a case with the Division of Child Support Services or hire a private attorney and file an action for paternity. The husband of the mother is presumed to be the father, however that presumption is rebuttable. And if your brother,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: If i went to court and got custody back of my daughter. Then why after almost 3 years are my lic. Suspended?

I have gotten 4 different stories from 4 different people at the child support office. I just don't understand I get that they say that it's a rear's but how did they let me go for almost 3 years if I was supposed? To be paying this.

Dinner case get reopened or something. I... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 30, 2023

Arrears do not disappear, even if you gain physical custody. Because arrears are past due payments, not current child support. Now if you obtained physical custody through a court order, then your child support order for future payments should have been dismissed. If you simply took physical... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Georgia on
Q: Can I separate from my husband to another state without a legal document in place?

No children under 18, prior physical abuse, current verbal, financial and mental abuse. Can I leave without a document in place to another state and file for divorce there after establishing residency?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 27, 2023

Typically a divorce should be filed in the state and county where the Defendant resides. If you establish residency in another state and file for divorce, since it sounds as though this won't be uncontested, your spouse can respond and challenge jurisdiction and venue. Because the divorce... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for Georgia on
Q: Is it possible to have a second mediation after reaching and signing a mediation agreement?

Important issues were left out during mediation.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 25, 2023

It is unlikely the Court will order the parties to attend mediation again or that the opposing party will agree to mediate again. If there are issues that were not addressed, you can attempt to resolve those with the other side and come to an agreement. But having an attorney would have... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: My 10 year old is openly expressing that she does not want to have visitations with her father. What can I do?
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 23, 2023

If a court has signed an order giving her father visitation, you will need to produce the child for that visitation, or you could be found in contempt of court. Only an order of the court modifying that will change your obligation to produce the child. Therefore, even if the child says they no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Juvenile Law and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can a 17 year old up and live with Dad? (In Georgia)

I’m a 17 year old who is not happy being with my mom, For months i am mentally not happy. I just want to stay with my dad after i get out of school for the summer May 24th 2023. Many arguments, i was starting to do poorly in school here at my moms when i used to be a student that would excel. I... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 20, 2023

If you leave your mother to go and live with your father without a court order, your father would technically be kidnapping if he refused to produce you back to your mother. If you want to live with your father the proper way to go about that is for your father to either file to modify an existing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I was married in South Carolina & would like to get a divorce but I have no idea where my spouse is, what do I do?
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 20, 2023

You can file for divorce and use service by publication to properly serve your missing spouse. You will need to use his last known address for filing and service. I would suggest hiring an attorney to walk you through how to have someone served you cannot locate and where to properly file for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Georgia on
Q: Is the leaving spouse allowed to take am appliance (dishwasher) out of the marital house and put in a new abode?
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Prior to the filing of a divorce, either spouse can take anything they want out of the marital residence because there's been no standing order preventing them from selling, transferring, taking, or disposing of any items that could be considered marital property. When a spouse files for... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Is there a general Percentage a judge may award in Spousal Support? Wife believes she is entitled to half my monthly pay

In the state of Georgia I know there are different rules for spousal support. Does a judge look at previous employment if the spouse has quit their job or taken a lower paying position? Married 18 years and she was not a stay at home Mom, though we both worked from home equally. She ran a... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Spousal support is according to the judge's discretion. There are no percentages, guidelines, or schedules that are used to calculate how much spousal support to award someone. The Court will look at the spouse's need who is petitioning the Court for spousal support and the other... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Does my spouse have to leave the home after the divorce is finalized.

I bought my home before I got married and now we're going through a divorce. Oddly, we still live in the same house while going through this.

She has stated several times that she isn't leaving g after the divorce is final.

My question is, when the divorce is final and... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 20, 2023

I think you would greatly benefit from hiring an attorney. It sounds like you have a contested divorce if your spouse is unwilling to even move out. And if you don't present your case properly, the Court could end up awarding her things you disagree with. But at your trial you should... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: When petitioning for rights to visit grandchild how do I prove that the health or welfare of the child will be harmed .
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 10, 2023

My best advice to you is to hire you a local attorney in your area. Grandparent visitation is limited and several factors need to be proven in order for the court to determine that visitation is in the child's best interest. If the parent objects to your visitation, you will need to make... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Georgia on
Q: I will be getting a divorce in Atlanta Ga and I have bought my house 20 something years ago my husband moved in

And has not paid mortgage payments and it is in my name and willed to my daughters. We married when our children were grown and out on their own. Please tell me he not entitled to my home

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 8, 2023

Any real property that a spouse has prior to marriage is normally considered their separate property that they can ask the Court not to include in the distribution of marital property. However, in some circumstances a spouse may be entitled to some equity, depending on their contribution to that... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Do I need a lawyer to get a visitation schedule to see my child or would that be my right after paternity is confirmed?

The matter will be heard in Fulton Country GA and a petition for Paternity and Child Support was filed. I know I need to file an answer and counterclaim for legitimation to get proper rights in GA and a definitive visitation schedule.

There is already a child support order from Illinois... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 8, 2023

If you choose to represent yourself you will be expected to have the same knowledge as an attorney. You will be expected to handle your own discovery, your case in chief and to prepare all of your documents for Court. I would highly suggest hiring an attorney, because the child support, custody... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Hi! I was wondering if theres anything I can do about my daughters dad trying to reach out to see my daughter?

My daughters dad hasn't seen her or even tried to see or hear about my daughter. He lives in tennessee and I moved down here with her cause he mentally and emotionally abused me and now I'm terrified hes going to do something to her. He has kidnapped her when she was 3 months old and... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Mar 10, 2023

If you prevent the father from having any contact with the child, he may decide to file an action to legitimize. If he does so, sure you can object to the legitimation. However, the Court may still determine that the father being in the child's life is in the child's best interest and... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: legitimation/ temporary custody hearing with child’s father august of 2021. I just received notice for a final hearing.

What should I expect as far as the procedure? I thought case was closed

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 28, 2023

I can't tell you what to expect when I don't have any details of your case. You stated, "legitimation/temporary custody hearing with child's father august of 2021, I just received notice of a final hearing. What should I expect as far as procedure? I thought the case was... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: If neither parent has custody of minor children do we file divorce with or without children?

Both minor children’s paternal grandmother has sole custody of both minor children. And there is a 3rd child but he is not a minor.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 23, 2023

If you have living biological children born of the marriage then you have children, whether they currently live at your residence or not. The Court needs to know that you have living minor children in order to address the custody & visitation of those children as well as child support, if that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can you move out of state if grandparent visitation was granted temporarily

My father in law has a temporary grandparent visitation order for my stepson. we are relocating to a different state near the other three grand parents for my job.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 23, 2023

You could find yourself in contempt of court if your move prevents the grandparent from exercising visitation. Temporary visitation means that a case is still pending. If so, I don't think you should relocate without notifying the Court. The Court may need to reevaluate the visitation so... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Georgia on
Q: Can I reopen a divorce case that was pending
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 23, 2023

If it's pending then it's not closed, and wouldn't need to be reopened. I would consult an attorney because it sounds like you need some help understanding the case, since you're asking this question. If by "was pending" you mean it has now been dismissed or there... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: How do I serve the opposing party notice of NISI who lives is another state?

We already have a temporary ruling. The opposing party lives out of state.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 17, 2023

Service should be perfected according to the laws of the state in which you need to complete service. If you're unaware of how to serve a Rule Nisi, you should probably hire an attorney to represent you. Because it is likely that you are also unaware of how to represent yourself at a final... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Georgia on
Q: Do I have any right to the marital house that was bought before marriage but refinanced several times during

House bought 2004, I moved in 2005, married 2015. Have 3 children together living in the house 15,14,&10. The last time house was refinanced was 2020. My name is not on it. Do I have any rights? Can he throw me out?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 17, 2023

If you're living in the residence and have been, your spouse cannot evict you. You should speak directly with an attorney to determine what you may be entitled to regarding the home purchased prior to marriage. Due to the fact that you may have been paying some of the mortgage or some of the... View More

View More Answers

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.