PRACTICE AREAS

Family Law

Family law matters can be complex and each case is unique. What is often a highly-charged and emotional conflict can be complicated by other legal aspects such as criminal, bankruptcy, tax and immigration issues. Because family law often involves child custody concerns, it often defies typical “cost-benefit” analysis common in resolving other legal disputes.

People frequently come to Shewmaker and Lewis seeking a “bulldog attorney.” An attorney should always be diligent and tenacious in their client’s defense. Individuals hire an attorney to protect their interests and, in many cases, the interests of their children. There are times and circumstances when a “bulldog attorney” is essential – a litigator who is comfortable and aggressive in the courtroom. At other times, cases require a negotiator that can engage in diplomacy. A wise and effective attorney will know when to be aggressive and when to be diplomatic.

At Shewmaker & Lewis, we represent clients in the full spectrum of family law matters including:

prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
legitimation and paternity
divorce (asset division and custody disputes)
annulments
post-divorce modifications (alimony, child support, custody)
legal separation
contempt
adoption
post-divorce estate planning

Shewmaker & Lewis also represent clients in highly specialized family law matters including:

Military and federal pension divisions (COAP)
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) division
Interstate and Multistate child custody matters

If you would like more information about matters pertaining to family law, please take a look at the articles below or call Shewmaker and Lewis at 770-939-1939 or send us a message today.

Divorce in Georgia

In Georgia, there are thirteen ground (or reasons) to file for divorce. The most common reason is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is commonly known as “no fault” divorce. The other twelve grounds for divorce are...

Divorce in Georgia

Alimony

If you think of a typical divorce, the spouses split up, and all of their stuff - the “marital estate” - must be divided as well. After it is all divided, one party may be required to pay “from his or her separate estate” money to the other party. That’s alimony...

Alimony

Prenup & Postnup

Getting married is usually the one of the happiest moments in a person’s life. However, sometimes couples decide that a prenuptial, or antenuptial (also called a “postnuptial”) agreement is a good idea prior to saying “I do.”...

Prenup & Postnup

Legitimation

In Georgia, affirmative legal steps by a father, called legitimation, are required for them to have rights...

Legitimation

Mediation

Many courts mandate mediation before trial, and in most cases mediation is productive. Several metro-Atlanta counties, like Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb Counties require it. ...

Mediation

Parenting Time

In a divorce or any action regarding custody, the Court will require the parents to file a parenting plan that will be reviewed and approved by the Judge. ...

Parenting Time

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution - or ADR – is an option to people in a divorce or other domestic matter other than going to a trail. ADR comes in three types....

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Equitable Division of Property

When two Parties are divorced, there has to be a splitting up of assets and debts. In the State of Georgia this is known as the Equitable Division of Property ...

Equitable Division of Property

Tax Effect of Alimony

Alimony is no longer tax deductible to the payor or considered income to the payee. Alimony is now treated like child support ...

Tax Effect of Alimony

Modification of Alimony

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is often awarded in a divorce action for a number of reasons....

Modification of Alimony

QDRO

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a court order that directs a financial institution or employer to divide a retirement account and how it is to be divided ...

QDRO

International Child Abduction

handling custody cases across international boundaries is the growing issue as the world becomes smaller and citizens from different countries more integrated ...