What is "family law"? It's about marriage, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, division of property and debts, and any other legal question that affects the legal status and relationships among members of the same family.
Family law comes mainly from laws passed by Georgia's General Assembly and signed into law by Georgia's governor. It also comes from decisions from Georgia's Supreme Court and Georgia's Court of Appeals.
Increasingly in recent years, laws passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President have also had a real impact on family law.
When people think about going to court for a trial, many people think about a trial before a jury of 12 of their fellow citizens. You are entitled to a jury trial in most family law cases in Georgia, but only on issues related to money. These issues are child support, alimony, and division of property and debts.
In Georgia, ALL family law trials that relate to child custody, visitation, and parenting are decided by the judge, not by a jury. For this reason, jury trials in family law cases are very rare in Georgia.
Because the judge, not a jury, decides most family law cases, and all child custody issues, you should hire a lawyer who is very familiar with the judges in the county where your case will be tried. A lawyer who knows the judge that your case is assigned to will be in a much better position to predict the outcome of your family law case and give you much better legal advice.
I've been practicing law in the metro Atlanta area since graduating from UGA Law School in 1986, and I've represented over a thousand people with their legal problems during those years. I've tried many family law cases before all the judges in these four counties and know the judges there well.
For more information, visit my website at www.gentrylawfirmgeorgia.com or call us for a free 30 minute in-person consultation at 770-425-5573.
William C. (Bill) Gentry
