Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

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 delivered t

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