He is verbally and physically abusive and has been threatening to kill me. We recently lost our home to foreclosure. In an attempt to save our home a property that we owned through a 501 c 3 of which we are both officers was sold. The attempt was unsuccessful. We verbally agreed to split the... View More

answered on Jul 24, 2023
You need to consult with a tax attorney or cpa regarding the tax liability from the sale. Unfortunately, there is no legal separation in the state of Georgia. You are legally married until you are not. If you are concerned that he will incur debts in your name during the separation, you need to... View More
He is verbally and physically abusive and has been threatening to kill me. We recently lost our home to foreclosure. In an attempt to save our home a property that we owned through a 501 c 3 of which we are both officers was sold. The attempt was unsuccessful. We verbally agreed to split the... View More

answered on Jul 25, 2023
You really need to hire local counsel. That being said, if you must file for divorce without counsel, file for temporary orders and seek a mutual restraining order (or whatever GA's equivalent is) preventing either of you from liquidating assets or incurring debt in each other's name... View More
He is verbally and physically abusive and has been threatening to kill me. We recently lost our home to foreclosure. In an attempt to save our home a property that we owned through a 501 c 3 of which we are both officers was sold. The attempt was unsuccessful. We verbally agreed to split the... View More

answered on Jul 26, 2023
Any debts either of you incur prior to a final hearing in a divorce the Court will determine how they are to be paid, if you all don't come to an agreement. Therefore, you will not automatically be liable for his debts and expenses. But there is nothing you can file to keep him from entering... View More
An ex-girlfriend is a lawyer and she had filed a police report for harassing communications against me which resulted in a warrant for my arrest period since the warrant was issued I've spent a few weeks with the ex-girlfriend. Is there a grounds to get the warrant dropped?

answered on Jul 10, 2023
The decision to drop a warrant for harassing communications would typically be up to the prosecuting attorney or the judge handling the case. Spending time with the person who filed the complaint may be a factor that could potentially influence their decision, but it does not guarantee that the... View More
An ex-girlfriend is a lawyer and she had filed a police report for harassing communications against me which resulted in a warrant for my arrest period since the warrant was issued I've spent a few weeks with the ex-girlfriend. Is there a grounds to get the warrant dropped?

answered on Jul 11, 2023
Sadly the above answer is spot on, as the State determines all charging decisions. The complainant CAN deeply influence the process, and can downright spoil the states intentions if they want, but the actual charging decision is theirs.
An affidavit may help but be careful. The State is... View More
I want to use them the witnesses in a hearing. The dad overindulged in alcohol and is aggressive to child and mother .

answered on Jul 11, 2023
I would suggest hiring an attorney to represent you at trial. Trial procedure can be difficult for non-attorneys as you cannot use affidavits at a final hearing. Your witness will have to be available to testify and you will need to prepare your questions for your witness. You will also need to... View More
He’s father lied in the case and had me served for joint custody but he drinks heavy and talks to us both aggressively. Is their information you can give me to help me fight for protection for me and my son . For full custody of my preemie baby

answered on May 22, 2023
The first thing you should do is hire an attorney. And I'm not sure what you mean by fight for protection. If there is domestic violence and an ongoing threat, you should seek a protective order, which is a separate case altogether. If you were served with paperwork for a pending case, and... View More
He’s father lied in the case and had me served for joint custody but he drinks heavy and talks to us both aggressively. Is their information you can give me to help me fight for protection for me and my son . For full custody of my preemie baby

answered on May 19, 2023
Please remember this is site for general information and should not be used as a substitute for retaining a lawyer who regularly practices in the Court wherein your case is pending. That being said, if there is a pending case are there not also temporary orders (called "lis pendens" in... View More
On the grounds of a family violence protective order is in place for 1 year for not only myself but both minor children ages 10 &12??
I know i have to respond to this petition and im trying to do so correctly as i dont have legal counsel, cant afford counsel... however he does! If thats... View More

answered on May 15, 2023
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get the petition dismissed based solely on the protective order being in place. The father has the right to legitimate the children and obtain legal rights and visitation (after the protective order expires) with the children unless you can show the court it... View More
On the grounds of a family violence protective order is in place for 1 year for not only myself but both minor children ages 10 &12??
I know i have to respond to this petition and im trying to do so correctly as i dont have legal counsel, cant afford counsel... however he does! If thats... View More

answered on May 15, 2023
A judge is unlikely to dismiss a legitimation action by ruling on a motion to dismiss. Although you say you can't afford counsel, if the father has hired counsel, I would suggest you use credit, or anything you can to get the funds together to hire an attorney. If you do not consent to the... View More
Protective order is over May 12. Do I have to go back to court to see kids or can I contact them and their mother right away??? I don't have another $6000 to pay lawyer for agreement so it can be thrown out by Judge again.

answered on May 8, 2023
The answer to this depends on if you have a parenting plan in a different case. If there is a court ordered parenting plan, the parenting time should resume. Normally, parenting time continues even though there is a TPO in place, especially if the violence alleged was not toward the children. You... View More
Got into a disagreement with my boyfriend which led to a heated argument. I was struck in the head. I called the police and he was charged with aggravated assault - family violence. I'm looking to drop the charges. I understand this is at the DA's discretion. I looked into affidavit for... View More

answered on May 5, 2023
This is my core practice area, and he needs a strong lawyer at a minimum. You may benefit from independent counsel as well, since the State can be very aggressive leaning on alleged victims during the case.
ANYTHING you say to the State can get twisted and turned around, so be VERY... View More
At the TPO hearing the ex-parte protective order is supposed to have expired.
3 months later, the plaintiff decides they want to claim contempt for violating the ex-parte protective order, not the TPO. is this legal?

answered on May 5, 2023
Procedurally that is not going to get very far. Any contempt issue should have been raised in the TPO hearing where the Ex Parte expired, and it would appear the TPO was not granted. So there is a mootness issue on top of everything else.
It would be a bit of a mess, and if the Court... View More
At the TPO hearing the ex-parte protective order is supposed to have expired.
3 months later, the plaintiff decides they want to claim contempt for violating the ex-parte protective order, not the TPO. is this legal?

answered on May 5, 2023
I think the more appropriate question to ask is whether it is going to be effective. Additionally, the defendant (respondent) to the now TPO might want to contemplate whether the alleged conduct violates the TPO. It is possible under these facts that such a defendant may file a motion to dismiss... View More
Divorcing after 23 years due to repeated infidelity, domestic abuse. Spouse wants me to leave our rented home with an uncontested divorce. 3 grown kids, 2 still at home. Husband wants me to leave marriage with a few decorations, my cloths, and take on a car note in his name (car I have driven and... View More

answered on Apr 6, 2023
They are NOT off limits, and anytime you have a defined benefit issue during a divorce you need to be sure you are addressing it properly as once it becomes a mess, cleaning it up is an endless task.
Invest in a lawyer to walk you through this process, as the costs will escalate if you make... View More
I have took my 3 months old baby and seek shelter at my parents house due to high conflict divorce and my husband tend to throw things around the house. He has history of breaking my car and phone since he claimed that the car is also part of his name in it.

answered on Mar 26, 2023
It sounds like you may need to seek a Temporary Family Violence Restraining Order (TPO). This would allow you to obtain a restraining order from your husband, temporary custody of your child and be awarded temporary support, which would include child support. The other option would be to go ahead... View More

answered on Mar 22, 2023
BE VERY CAREFUL!!! Changing a statement and attempting to challenge or obstruct an investigation gets really challenging, and can expose you to consequences. You need to hire a LOCAL lawyer who knows the players, as your request is as much art as anything else.
The issue is that in many... View More

answered on Mar 2, 2023
In Georgia, you have a constitutional right to a bond on ALL misdemeanors. Full Stop.
No more than 72 hours should pass before a bond is set on ALL misdemeanors in GA, unless there is a hold for other reasons. This is a big deal. The bond can be HUGE, but the court MUST set one.

answered on Feb 28, 2023
A misdemeanor conviction for Domestic Violence impacts your 2nd amendment rights and likely prohibits you from possessing any firearm.
You need to get a clear copy of your record and look into either changing the status of the charge retroactively or seek a pardon if there is a DV... View More
The friend was not even her husband, but she was reported for family violence, and she had never lived in the same house with her. Will I still be prosecuted? How many years is the statute of limitations?

answered on Feb 8, 2023
The statute of limitations depends on which type of family violence charge you are facing. There are several criminal offenses that qualify as family violence cases. Some charges like simple battery and criminal trespass are misdemeanors while others, such as aggravated assault or criminal damage... View More
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