Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

If you have a shared minor child and plan to be divorced in the State of Georgia you will likely be required to attend a parenting class or seminar. Requirements, schedules, and fees vary by county. “The superior court judges, under whose authority the program shall function, may require any or all parties to attend an educational seminar of no more than four hours in any domestic relations action before the court.” Georgia Superior Court Rule 24.8(B). “ The goal of this program is to assist the parents in understanding the impact of divorce on children, reduce potential conflicts, and offer practical solutions to future problems. ” alcovycircuit.com “The seminar focuses on the developmental needs of children, with emphasis on fostering the child's emotional health during periods of stress.” gwinnettcourts.com Information on local county parenting classes are listed below: Alcovy (Newton and Walton Counties): Fee : $25.00, cash or money order Attendance : Di

Divorce fees vary by state, county, and law firm. In all divorce cases in Georgia, you will have a filing fee paid directly to the Clerk of Court. Filing fees in Georgia vary by county, below is a list of local Superior Court filing fees: Walton County: $210.00 alcovycircuit.com. Newton County: $210.00 alcovycircuit.com. Gwinnett County: $213.00 gwinnettcourts.com. Rockdale County: $209.00 rockdaleclerk.com. If you have a shared minor child with your spouse, you may also be required to attend a parenting class/ seminar for an additional Court fee. Programs and fees vary by county. See my post on parenting classes here: bechtold-law.blogspot.com . Finally, you will have attorney fees for your divorce. Divorce situations vary greatly from family to family which in turn impacts your attorney fees. “Be sure to get your fee arrangement in writing from your attorney before you enter into any attorney-client relationship.” bechtold-law.blogspot.com.

Yes. “There are a variety of different methods through which a lawyer might charge for legal services, and usually the type of case dictates the type of fee agreement.” research.lawyers.com . Lawyer fees are generally either flat, retainer, or contingency. Flat Fees : Seen when litigation is not involved, provides a set price, often used with document production or review cases. “Some lawyers feel that a flat fee arrangement lets everyone relax and makes for a better attorney-client relationship. You won’t feel reluctant to call or email with a question, and the lawyer can take the time necessary to listen to your concerns and explain things to you without feeling like the meter is running.” nolo.com . Retainer Fees : Used in litigation cases, acts as a deposit, billed against by attorney at an hourly rate, total fees can vary. “The money is placed in an account separate from his operating account, and he bills his time against it as the case progresses.” thebalance.com. C

Email Christine@Bechtold-Law.com to schedule your free consultation in the new year. # NewYearsResolution # FamilyLaw https://twitter.com/BechtoldLaw/status/815906858124845056

May you have a brighter tomorrow with new opportunities. Happy 2017! Contact The Law Office of Christine M Bechtold at Christine@Bechtold-Law.com today to schedule your free initial consultation in the new year.

Know before you go.  Be an informed voter and review a sample ballot for your county before you head to your polling place this Election Day. Sample Ballot for Gwinnett County Georgia:  https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/elections/2016_Election/11.08.2016_Consolidated_Ballot_Revise_9_16_16.pdf Sample Ballot for Walton County Georgia: http://www.waltoncountyga.gov/fileadmin/files/Elections_and_Registration/2016/Sample_Ballot_11-8-16.pdf Sample Ballot for Rockdale County Georgia: http://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ROCKDALE-COUNTY-SAMPLE-BALLOT-with-WRITEIN-GENERAL-2016.pdf If you do not see your county listed, visit your county website and search for sample ballot.

Yes, you can restore your maiden name after divorce in Georgia. “Your last name does not automatically revert to your former or maiden name once you get divorced.” www.wikihow.com . “In most states, you can request that the judge handling your divorce make a formal order restoring your former or birth name.” www.nolo.com People have many reasons to change (or not change) their name after divorce. In blog post “Should You Change Your Name Back After Divorce?” Jackie Pilossoph lists the following considerations: (1) Children, (2) Reason, (3) Profession, (4) Comfort, and (5) Time. www.huffingtonpost.com . The decision to change your name is a personal decision that only you can make, however, “one reason a woman absolutely should not change her name back to her birth name, is if it is solely for the purpose of avoiding creditors or criminal prosecution.” www.forbes.com . Georgia allows for the restoration of your maiden name with your divorce as long as it is reque