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Georgia Family Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: How do I get custody of my 14 year old son. We don't have a custody agreement at this time. We have never been married

He wants to come live with me

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Feb 6, 2024

You would need to file an action to legitimize. In that action you would asking the court to award you primary physical custody and you may consider joint legal custody with the mother. An election can be filed showing the court where the child is asking to live as well. I would speak directly... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: How do I get custody of my 14 year old son. We don't have a custody agreement at this time. We have never been married

He wants to come live with me

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 6, 2024

In Georgia, to obtain custody of your 14-year-old son without an existing custody agreement, especially considering you were never married to the other parent, you would need to file a petition for custody in the appropriate family court. Georgia law recognizes the importance of the child's... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Domestic Violence for Georgia on
Q: So today my boyfriend and I were arguing about our 4 month old baby. It was a heated argument and the neighbor called

So today my boyfriend and I were arguing about our 4 month old baby. He had her since Thursday and was supposed to have her until Tuesday. We were supposed to go to lunch earlier but we had got into a little petty disagreement and decided against going so I went to run errands instead and he kept... View More

Joshua Schiffer
Joshua Schiffer
answered on Jan 29, 2024

I take it someone was arrested?

Often times when a 3rd party calls the authorities the investigators are unwilling to slow down and actually investigate what happened, as it is faster and easier to just start arresting folks.

IF you or your BF were arrested, BE CAREFUL and get an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: Attorneys' May you help me. Case Law in State of Georgia that will help me in court & No Show Of the Defendant/mother

Attorneys' May you help me/ FAMILY LAW MATTER! Case Law in State of Georgia that will help me in court & No Show Of the Defendant/mother Dec 21st 2023 the Defendant/mother was a no show so I ask the judge to grant me full primary custody of my then 5yo daughter ( Her Birthday Jan. 29th,... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 26, 2024

First, if the Defendant was not properly served according to GA law, they did not have proper notice & opportunity to be heard. Therefore, the Court would not consider the Defendant to have failed to appear if they were not properly served. Statutory Electronic Service is only proper service... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I am going through a divorce. Do I have to go back to my maiden name or can I chose a new last name once it’s final?
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 26, 2024

You can keep your current name or have your maiden name restored. You will need to inform the Court which option you are choosing and I would advise you to hire an attorney to represent you in this divorce. If you want a name other than your maiden name, the Court is not going to change your name... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Family Law and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: How can I find out if I’m a beneficiary to multi investment accounts from my deceased grandma…

I speculated my grandmas original will was swapped for a forged one reflecting my mom as the sole beneficiary and there’s nothing that I could do unless I had the original will, which I did not…

So my mom never informed the brokerage companies of my grandma death nor put it in probate.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

I'm sorry for your difficult situation. There are a few options to determine if you are still a designated beneficiary on any of your deceased grandmother's investment accounts:

1) Contact each investment firm directly (e.g. bank, brokerage, etc) providing copies of the death...
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3 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can a GAL, testify in court if he have not completed his investigation or even spoken with the child repenting?

The GAL, was appointed at a contempt hearing. The contempt was not charged, an agreement was made with both parties. Two weeks later the child came forward with allegations of being molested by her father, therefore the mother stopped abiding the new agreement. After 2 months or more with the fact... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 26, 2024

The parties are allowed to cross examine the GAL and ask any questions they think are relevant to said testimony or the case. If you felt like steps were not taken that the GAL should have taken, that was your opportunity to ask those questions and have the Court hear those answers. But yes, the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Domestic Violence, Federal Crimes, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for Georgia on
Q: I saw pattern organized crime from now ex boyfriend & his dad. They targeted, recruit, drug dealers, White cc/ embezzle

Hx of killing, stealing, play victim social psycho criminal narc. Locked me up as escapgoat, to throw sherriff off them I witness to much. My now ex boyfriend threatened to kill me and his son. I was told my ex boyfriend is reason; his son in prison and my (ex boyfr) threatening to kill his son... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

I understand that you're in a difficult and potentially dangerous situation involving organized crime and threats. If you have credible information about criminal activities, your safety and the safety of others are of utmost importance.

In cases where someone in prison faces threats,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I want to change my name back to my old name. I have the court order, old birth certificate, new id& ss card. am i good?

I have the court order that states my old and new name which states everything else, my original birth certificate with old name, ss card with new name, & out of state issued ID with new name. Is this enough?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

It seems like you have all the necessary documents to change your name back to your old name. The court order stating your old and new name, along with your original birth certificate showing your old name, are essential documents for this process. Additionally, having a social security card with... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: I have not had a hearing in 4 months for a exparte temporary custody order. My lawyer is ignoring me. What to do?

I have not had visitation or contact with my child in 4 months. I’m a school teacher not a criminal. Lawyers keep putting the hearing off. The exparte is illegal and claims aren’t even based on a threat of danger and it’s all lies and manipulation.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 19, 2024

If you haven't had a hearing for an ex parte temporary custody order in Georgia in four months, and your lawyer is unresponsive, it's crucial to take several steps. Begin by attempting to communicate with your lawyer, seeking a detailed status update on your case, and expressing your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I was in Ohio, my wife asked me for divorce. I moved to my home in Georgia. Do I divorce in Ohio or divorce in georgia

Can I go back to Ohio or do I have to wait the six months and do it in Georgia?

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 23, 2024

Where you file will depend on where you are a resident and what type of divorce you are filing. Regardless of where you are a resident, if your divorce is contested, you should file where the defendant lives. If your divorce is uncontested, then you can file where you live and make sure... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I was in Ohio, my wife asked me for divorce. I moved to my home in Georgia. Do I divorce in Ohio or divorce in georgia

Can I go back to Ohio or do I have to wait the six months and do it in Georgia?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

When faced with a divorce situation where you and your wife are in different states, the choice of where to file for divorce can depend on residency requirements. Ohio generally requires a residency of at least six months before filing for divorce. If you have not met this residency requirement in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I inherited a home and then got married. If I refinanced it in my is it considered marital property now?

The house is in mine and my dad's name and mine and my dad's name is on the refinance. Husband nowhere on it.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 16, 2024

If you ever get divorced, and your spouse asks for some equity out of the home, the Court will determine if he is owed anything and if so, what he is owed. And they may consider any money he has put into the home, any money he has paid on the home, whether joint funds contributed to the remodel or... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: What do I need to do to make my son who is now 15 living with me legal?

I don't want to pay child support if he's living with me she won't agree to that

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 16, 2024

If there is a court order giving the mother primary physical custody and you paying child support, you should file for a modification. If you were never married and never legitimized, the only way to get a child support order dismissed is for you to file for legitimation, and ask the Court for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: My daughters mother is deploying and wants to leave her with her other child’s father
Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 16, 2024

If you haven't established legally that you are the child's father, you will have to do so in order to obtain visitation, so the child can be left with you. If you have not established your rights, the mother can leave the child with whomever she chooses. Taking the mother to court is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I get custody of my nephew if im not blood related to him? Do I need to add my husband to the case since he is blood

We took care of my nephew for the last 2 and half years even though we were not his legal guardian while his legal guardian was homeless. She took him back because she got mad at me. Her household is violent and unstable and we want our nephew back.

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 8, 2024

The party who is blood related may have a better chance of obtaining custody. However, of course you can petition the court for custody yourself. You will have to prove being the child's guardian is what is in the child's best interests, and you may have some opposition from the current... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: Can my lawyer set up a bank account for my mother who is now passed and was an illegal alien? My lawyer can’t find a way

My brother passed years ago. My mom and stepdad filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but both passed before the case was won. The proceeds from the case were split in half. One half to the children of my stepdad, and the other half to the children of my mother. The children of my stepdad had no trouble... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

Setting up a bank account for someone who has passed away, particularly when they were an undocumented immigrant, can be challenging. However, there are alternative solutions to consider.

Since you and your siblings are U.S. citizens, one approach could be to establish an estate or a trust...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: Can my lawyer set up a bank account for my mother who is now passed and was an illegal alien? My lawyer can’t find a way

My brother passed years ago. My mom and stepdad filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but both passed before the case was won. The proceeds from the case were split in half. One half to the children of my stepdad, and the other half to the children of my mother. The children of my stepdad had no trouble... View More

Agnes Jury
Agnes Jury
answered on Jan 7, 2024

You may be able to apply for an Individal Taxpayer's Identification Number (ITIN) for your mom with which you should be able to open a bank account for her in the USA. If that doesn't work, you could try to start a probate case so the Court can determine that those funds do... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia on
Q: My wife won the lottery, has been seeing about her guy behind my back and is now taking kids out country what do I do ?

She kept the winning concealed from me and ran off with this guy she’s our me through hell the last several years causing me to lose everything and now has her friends gang stalking me on line

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jan 8, 2024

You can hire an attorney and file for divorce. In that petition you will tell the court what relief you are seeking with regard to custody, visitation, child support, and the distribution of assets and debts. In the case you can determine what is marital property and what is separate property, to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law, Military Law and Social Security for Georgia on
Q: Contacted by estranged sister's (head injury/stroke) caregiver (deceased husband's cousin) to assume his POA. Must I?

Estranged (in TX since 1972) sister (DOB April 1954) falls in 2012due to Air Force knee injury (surgery & discharge 1974; also forced early retirement in 2011) & struck head, resulting in stroke hours later, which resulted in partial paralysis. Her husband cared for her until his death from... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 5, 2024

You are not legally required to assume the power of attorney (POA) for your sister. Accepting the role of POA is a voluntary decision and carries significant responsibilities, particularly in managing her personal and financial affairs. Given your concerns about your ability to provide financial... View More

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