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Showing posts from 2014

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from The Law Office of Christine M Bechtold, LLC.

Can I Just Use Uncontested Divorce Forms Online?

"An uncontested divorce is when both spouses agree to most, if not all, of the division of assets, finances, and child custody and visitation of minor children. This type of divorce decreases the Court requirements and legal fees dramatically!” bechtold-law.com .  In many divorce cases it is helpful to begin with the uncontested process to see if an agreement can be reached before starting the contested Court process. An uncontested divorce can be quicker, cheaper, and more efficient. The down side of an uncontested divorce, for some, is that, “no blame is assigned to you or your spouse.” lawyers.com . Once you decide you want to start with an uncontested divorce, you need to decide how to proceed legally. You may be able to find some forms online to start the process yourself, but most do not have the specific state or county requirements for your divorce to go smoothly. Local Superior Court Clerks may also have forms available, but they are just that, forms. Also, “the

Independence Day 2014

Independence Day is one of the most important federal holidays in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence , which declared our independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. bechtold-law.blogspot.com .   “ Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument.” www.archives.gov . “What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosophy in ‘self-evident truths’ and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country.” www.archives.gov . In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson describes why the Declaration is necessary: "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny

My Child’s Parent Isn’t Paying The Court Ordered Child Support, What Can I Do?

If a child’s parent was Court ordered to pay child support for the benefit of the minor child and they are not paying that full amount there are a few actions you can take.  The most important and first action is to communicate with the non-paying parent. You should make sure that the parent is aware of the non-payment. Be sure to inform the parent of the exact past due child support amount and where to send payment. It may also be helpful to include a copy of the Court Order with your written communication.   Sometimes communication is all that is needed to encourage an agreement to fulfill the Court Ordered child support. “If you live in Georgia, have legal custody of a child, and need help receiving child support payments, you may apply” for assistance through the Division of Child Support Services . Part of this program’s mission is, “To enhance the well-being of children by assuring that assistance in obtaining support, including financial and medical, is available

Why Would I Want an Uncontested Divorce?

“It is quicker and cheaper to file for an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is when both spouses agree to most, if not all, of the division of assets, finances, and child custody and visitation of minor children. This type of divorce decreases the Court requirements and legal fees dramatically!” bechtold-law.com . In many cases, it is helpful to start with the uncontested process to see if an agreement can be reached. The benefits of an uncontested divorce is that it is quicker, cheaper, and more efficient. The down side of an uncontested divorce, for some, is that, “no blame is assigned to you or your spouse.” lawyers.com. The Law Office of Christine M Bechtold, LLC offers uncontested divorce services at a flat fee. Call the office today for your free initial consultation. 770.466.2700 Christine@Bechtold-Law.com

Do I Need a Lawyer for Divorce?

In most cases, yes, obtaining legal services to protect yourself is a wise choice. "Even if your divorce is friendly and you've reached a mutual agreement with your spouse about custody and property, obtaining help from a professional is often a good idea." family-law.lawyers.com. Although some Courts have forms online, to someone who is not familiar with the law, those forms can be overwhelming. Some fill-in forms do not suit your needs and often do not address all issues for a divorcing couple. "An attorney will ensure that all matters that should be resolved in a divorce are resolved. Acting without an attorney could end up being a costly mistake both to the parties and to their children." www.gabar.org. Whether you are starting the divorce process, have already filed, or are in the process of divorce, contact the Law Office of Christine M. Bechtold today at 770.466.2700 or Christine@Bechtold-Law.com to schedule your free divorce initial consultation

What Happens During an Initial Consultation?

The Law Office of Christine M Bechtold is offering free initial consultations for all new clients. "Receiving a free consultation with an attorney can be extremely helpful, if you know how to make the most of the time." www.huffingtonpost.com During the initial consultation, attorney Christine Bechtold will discuss your current situation, your legal needs, and rates for legal services. Legal advice is not given during the initial consultation, but you will be informed about the process for the legal services you need. The meeting is both for the benefit of the client and the attorney. You can obtain information about the law and the attorney will determine if they can take your case.  It is important to ask questions during the initial consultation. Do not be afraid to be open and honest in your meeting. It can be overwhelming to attend an initial consultation with an attorney but attorney Christine Bechtold is here to listen to your concerns and help you with your legal

How Does a Judge Determine Custody?

Georgia child custody law revolves around the best interest of your child. "In determining the best interests of the child, the judge may consider any relevant factor." O.C.G.A. 19-9-3. An inclusive list of factors a Judge can consider can be found at O.C.G.A. 19-9-3(a)(3) . "If either parent has a history of domestic violence, judges must consider this as well in some states. However, if one parent falsely accuses the other of violence, this false accusation can work against the parent who makes it." family-law.lawyers.com The court determines both legal and physical custody of your child. Legal custody provides that parent with the right to make major decisions regarding the child’s welfare. Physical custody is just what it sounds like; it is where the child will stay. Parents can have joint legal and/or joint physical child custody where they share these responsibilities evenly. Upon divorce where children are involved, Georgia child custody

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial agreements are generally looked upon negatively. They are believed to be for people with exceptional amounts of money or when someone believes their marriage is likely to end in divorce - this is simply not true. A prenuptial agreement is a contract between two willing parties who are interested in protecting their interests after marriage. A prenuptial agreement starts with an open discussion between two people who are interested in moving into a successful marriage and are not planning for divorce, but rather, are having an honest conversation about what happens if something goes wrong. A prenuptial agreement allows a marrying couple to clarify what will happen to their personal and financial items in the event of divorce. Having these decisions about personal property decided ahead of time may potentially avoid a delayed and expensive divorce later. For those who did not enter into a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement between married c

What is an Advance Directive for Health Care?

There are some times in our lives when we are too ill to make decisions about our own healthcare. These times can range from going into simple surgery to end of life care. A living will, or advance directive for health care (ADHC), is a legal document that you set-up before you are too ill to make your own decisions. It allows you to set-up guidelines for your healthcare and how you would like these decisions to be made for you when you can't make them yourself. "You have the right to control all aspects of your personal care and medical treatment, including the right to insist upon medical treatment or direct that medical treatment be withheld or withdrawn. If you cannot (or do not want to) communicate your health care decisions for yourself, you have the right to choose someone to make health care decisions for you. You also have the right to state your treatment preferences if you have a terminal condition or are in a state of permanent unconsciousness.The Georgia Advance