Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

People often ask “who will hear my case?” In Georgia, the answer depends on where you and/or the defendant lives and what your case is about, however many cases are heard by the Superior Court. There are 10 Judicial Districts in Georgia which includes 49 Superior Court Judicial Circuits. http://www.georgiacourts.gov/aoc/selfhelp/gacourts_guide.pdf . Every county in Georgia has its own Superior Court, but it may be attached to another Judicial Circuit. For example, the Gwinnett Superior Court Circuit just includes Gwinnett County while the Alcovy Superior Court Circuit includes both Newton and Walton Counties. Your Superior Court is based on the County you live in. The Superior Court has general jurisdiction, which means the Superior Court can rule on any criminal or civil action which is not already designated to be heard by another Court, such as traffic, misdemeanors, bankruptcy, immigration, or probate. Georgia Superior Courts hear a large variety of cases including fel...

By Chris Dyches Dec 12, 2012 5:15 p.m. Things are changing on Sesame Street and the writers behind the major children's series are tackling yet another tough subject... divorce. In an new web series, the Muppet show, which is in its 44th season, will publicly talk about divorced families. "Sesame Street has never shied away from taking on tough topics. If it's a challenge young children face in their lives, it's a challenge Sesame Street would like to help them weather," a blog posted on the Sesame Street website said. "Over the years we have tackled everything from the death of a loved one to helping children through challenging economic times. And now Sesame Workshop is providing tools and resources to help children and parents stay resilient during divorce and separation." Millions of young children experience divorce, and they struggle to understand what exactly is happening. Parents also struggle to explain these changes, if they are a...

http://m.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2012/dec/07/toys-for-tots-collects-for-annual-drive/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Inside a non-descript 57,000-square-foot warehouse located on Best Friend Road, a handful of volunteers empty vans and trucks filled with new, unwrapped toys. It must mean that Toys for Tots is hard at work and this year, the greatest needs are gifts for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. "We always need gifts for this age," media coordinator Cherrie Carney said. "I think we always have a problem because it's a weird age to shop for." Friday morning's small group of workers built bikes, emptied trash bags and moved pallets -- for free. "Everything we have is donated. Nobody gets paid," Carney said. "Everything is volunteer work. I think 95 percent of the monetary funds raised went back to buying toys last year." The volunteers -- both in the warehouse and on the board -- work fr...

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The purpose of the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit is to summarize your individual current income, assets, and expenses. It is used to ensure full financial disclosure and is also used to determine any child support obligation. This is a standard form used by the Court. You can either type the information or hand-write it in. The person completing the form is the “affiant” and the form should reflect your individual current financial situation. This Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit will be made under oath; you are swearing to tell the truth based on the information contained in the Affidavit. After you complete the form, do not sign it until you are with a notary. Try not to leave blank spaces on the form, if something is not applicable enter “n/a” or “$0.00.” The figures should be good-faith numbers on your current finances. Use averages whenever possible, but if you are unsure, put in estimates and note that it is an estimate. You will not be re...

Today, September 17, 2012 is Constitution Day! What does that mean? “ Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens.” http://www.constitutionday.com/ . After much debate, the Constitutional Convention signed the actual document on this day in 1787. “Among the chief points at issue were how much power to allow the central government, how many representatives in Congress to allow each state, and how these representatives should be elected--directly by the people or by the state legislators.” http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html . The framers of The Constitution drafted the document to allow for its amendment. U. S Constitution, Article V, Section 1. Many are familiar with the first ten Amendments, which are commonly referred to as the Bill of Rights, but now there are twenty seven Ame...

I recently received the following email from a concerned grandfather who, like many, paid for a complicated divorce when it may not have been necessary: “The case began when my daughter and grand kids arrived at my home leaving her husband in another state. They had no assets and the reason left no option but divorce. He was a stay at home dad and pleaded ‘no money’ to help with legal or other expenses but agreed the divorce was necessary. He soon moved to Atlanta with the help of his parents. My daughter quickly started a new job. I contacted Christine but was referred to a high profile attorney and paid the firm $5,000 to begin the process then stepped aside and let all bills be mailed to my daughter who had moved to her new residence.  I gave them no specifications or budget. Soon I was hearing about interviews and negotiations. I learned he had to sign an agreement or go to court. So in my mind, they were preparing a divorce to his specifications. My daughter deliver...

You decide! On April 15, 2011, this blog discussed changes to local Loganville alcohol sales.  Bechtold Law Blog 4/15/11 . Then, Loganville voted to allow Sunday alcohol sales, and in November of 2011 it was reported that, " residents will be able to pick up a six-pack of beers while shopping in grocery stores."  Loganville Patch 11/10/11 . Loganville residence may soon vote on another change in the liquor law, specifically to allow a local liquor store."Dempsey, representing interested parties with the Loganville Citizens for Choice campaign, is pushing to place a referendum on the November ballot, which would allow the licensing and opening of a liquor store in the city limits of Loganville."  Walton Tribune 7/08/12 . The option is not yet on the ballot, but Loganville residences may soon vote again on liquor sales in Loganville.

Independence Day, is one of the most important federal holidays in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Many people remember the popular quote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaration of Independence However, later in the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson spells out in detail why the Declaration is necessary:     "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Declaration of Independence "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may ...