by Patty Shewmaker | Apr 29, 2021 | Child Custody, Emancipation, Family Law, Military Family Law
Can minor children petition the courts to be emancipated from their parents? Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy Lewis give us an...
by Steve Shewmaker | Mar 30, 2021 | Criminal Law, Double Jeopardy, Military Justice
If you’re a military service member that got into legal trouble but had local authorities decide not to prosecute you are in the clear, right? Wrong. Individuals can be prosecuted by State District Attorneys, Federal Law Enforcement and the Military. Federal and...
by Steve Shewmaker | Mar 26, 2021 | General Court Martial, Military Separation Hearing
From a litigation standpoint, an administrative separation hearing is very similar to a contested court-martial. The Respondent is entitled to have an attorney, call witnesses, cross examine witnesses, and present opening and closing statements. There are some stark...
by Patty Shewmaker | Feb 25, 2021 | Divorce, Equitable Division, Family Law, GI Bill Education Benefits, Military Divorce, Military Family Law
In the case of GI Bill Education Benefits we’re often asked if a judge can force a service member to assign those benefits to a former spouse or dependent. Patty Shewmaker and Alexa Lewis of the Law Firm Shewmaker & Shewmaker provide an answer in this...
by Steve Shewmaker | Feb 16, 2021 | Divorce, Family Law, Military Divorce, Military Family Law, Tricare
For military families undergoing a divorce, one of the biggest concerns of the non-military spouse is whether they and their kids will still be able to access health benefits. In a military divorce, the former spouse (referred to by TRICARE as the “sponsor”), and all...
by Steve Shewmaker | Feb 2, 2021 | Child Custody, Child Support, Child Visitation Rights, Divorce, Equitable Division, Family Law, General Information, Strategy and Preparation
Media often reports on “injustices” in family court in Georgia. In any court there are occasionally miscarriages of justice but by and large, given the sheer number of cases In Georgia, the system works. Steve and Patty Shewmaker of the Shewmaker &...
by Alexa Lewis | Jan 19, 2021 | ROTC Disenrollment Hearings
During an ROTC Disenrollment Hearing the Cadet’s attorney can not technically speak, but they can be of great assistance to the Cadet. The board will be often deferential to the attorney in allowing as much time as possible to talk to the Cadet. A good attorney...
by Alexa Lewis | Dec 29, 2020 | Child Custody, Child Visitation Rights, Divorce, Family Law, Step Parent Adoptions
Stepparent, or second parent adoption, is quite common and involves the spouse of one of a child’s biological parents adopting the child. You’d like to adopt your step children. Their biological parent has not exercised their visitation rights for a period...
by Patty Shewmaker | Nov 6, 2020 | Divorce, Equitable Division, Family Law, Military Family Law, Qualified Domestic Relations Order, Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
When couples divorce, assets are typically divided. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) are usually required. What happens with TRS Accounts and similar accounts that are not divisible in a QDRO? It can be complicated and challenging. Patty Shewmaker and Jimmy...
by Patty Shewmaker | Oct 29, 2020 | Divorce, Equitable Division, Family Law, Military Family Law, Qualified Domestic Relations Order, Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)
When couples divorce, assets are typically divided. Does the division extend to their retirement plans? Not necessarily. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) are required. Do those QDROs apply to every retirement account? Not necessarily! Patty Shewmaker and...
