Alpharetta Divorce and Family Law Attorneys
Choosing an attorney to assist you through difficult times is not easy. Having an attorney who is experienced and who works solely in the area of family law provides the depth of knowledge and understanding you need. As Alpharetta’s leading divorce and family law attorneys, we are committed to understanding your needs and seeking a wide range of solutions to your complex problems. When you retain us to help you through this process, you not only get our knowledge and experience, you also get a law firm that will go the distance to achieve the results you want and be dedicated to reaching your goals in the most cost-effective way possible. Whether you need an attorney to assist in mediation, navigate a collaborative divorce, or present your case aggressively in the courtroom, we have the experience and expertise to get the job done.
Our Firm
Amy Waggoner and Andee Hastings formed Waggoner Hastings LLC in 2010 to help clients find unique and creative solutions to their disputes. We know that hiring a lawyer isn’t your first thought when you’re going through a tough family situation. It’s an important decision you don’t take lightly. You also need to know that you have options, and what those options are. We can help you decide where you’re going, understand the obstacles that you’ll have to go around, and help you plan how best to get there, always keeping your priorities in sight.
All families aren’t alike, so all solutions shouldn’t be alike. We concentrate on finding the best solution for you and your family. Together, we have over 35 years of experience helping our clients survive-and thrive-through the pain of divorce and other family law matters. No matter where you are in the process, we can help make it a little easier, letting you focus on what’s important in your life.
Before the Divorce
Get help knowin what you are getting into
Divorce can often be the only way out of a bad situation, but you should never rush into it. There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself to help define your goals. A few of the most important are:
Are you emotionally and intellectually ready to move forward with a divorce?
Could you or your kids be in danger from your spouse when you file for divorce?
Is divorce right for your situation, or should you look for alternatives like separation?
Have you adequately protected your sensitive information and your personal assets from your spouse?
Are there any major drawbacks to divorce that could affect your situation?
Are mothers treated differently during a divorce case?
Should fathers worry about there being a bias in favor of mothers when questions of custody come up?
Do you need an attorney, and how should you go about finding the most qualified candidate?
If you don’t know all the answers to these questions, don’t worry. An experienced divorce attorney can answer your legal questions and help you consider how they relate to your family.
No one should enter into a divorce without speaking with expert legal counsel. There is just too much at stake to try going it alone and representation is even more crucial when children are involved. An experienced divorce lawyer can act as your guide throughout the process and can protect your rights so that you get everything you need out of your divorce.
At Waggoner Hastings, our team of attorneys is extremely familiar with divorce cases of all kinds. We represent both mothers and fathers in divorce cases, and this experience gives us a thorough understanding of the ins and outs of the process. We can answer any of your questions and help you with your case from start to finish. Just call us at 770-641-8200 or send us an email to set up a consultation.
Divorce Law
Divorce Law is both simple and complex
There are many paths you may choose to get a divorce. You may choose to mediate and resolve your issues before filing a complaint for divorce. You may choose to pursue a collaborative divorce. You may choose to file a traditional divorce case. If you file a divorce case, a qualified divorce attorney will be there to guide you through the six primary steps:
You file a formal complaint or petition for divorce in the Superior Court.
Temporary orders are created to address things that need to be handled immediately, like who will continue paying the bills and who will get temporary custody of the children.
Each side conducts “discovery,” where both parties must share essential information pertaining to the case with the other side.
The judge may require the couple to attempt arbitration, mediation, or negotiation in an attempt to have them come to a mutual agreement without actually having to go to court.
The trial itself.
If a grave error was committed by the judge at trial which must be corrected, you may be able to file an appeal.
Those steps are a divorce in a nutshell but they don’t begin to cover all of the complexities contained in even a simple divorce. For example:
Issues of child custody and child support must be addressed. If a couple is unable to decide who gets custody of the children then a court must decide those issues. This is one of the biggest areas of conflict in any divorce. If you are considering a contested divorce and you have children, you need to contact an experienced divorce attorney as soon as possible. An experienced divorce attorney can help protect your rights and make sure that any decisions you make are in the best interests of your children.
Alimony payments are also a major area of conflict in divorce. Alimony is intended to be a way for the spouse with the most earning potential to help the other spouse get back on their feet. Instead, some people see it as a punishment and fight hard to keep from making payments.
If you and your spouse happen to be in business together then that may make your divorce even more complex.
Georgia Family Law Attorneys
Just what is family law?
Family law covers a wide range of topics because it has to do with family related issues and domestic matters. Since so much depends on the outcome of these cases, there is a lot of stress involved and emotions often run very high. It takes a dedicated attorney with a lot of direct experience in family law cases to take them to a successful resolution.
At Waggoner Hastings, our attorneys have years of experience with cases of this type and we can help you with:
Prenuptial Agreements – Contracts between two people who are about to be married, spelling out the rights of each party in the event of a divorce.
Post-nuptial Agreements – Contracts between two people who are already married and are not currently planning to divorce, spelling out the rights of each party in the event of a divorce.
Separation Agreements – Very similar to Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements, but Separation Agreements are signed at the time the parties separate; they can cover issues like child support and child custody where a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement cannot.
Modification of Child Support, Child Custody and Alimony – Usually a modification takes place after there has been such a substantial change in circumstance that modification of a previous order is in the best interests of the children.
Adoption
Paternity And Legitimation – Used to establish your legal rights and responsibilities regarding a child.
Family Violence And Restraining Orders – Primarily used to give abuse victims a way to get out of a dangerous situation.
Domestic Partnership Agreements – Used in place of Prenuptial Agreements because currently same-sex partners cannot legally marry or enter into state-approved civil unions in Georgia.
Name Changes
Family law cases can be some of the most difficult cases to navigate, and they often have the most at stake. Having a stranger decide matters this important is never a good idea. You need an experienced attorney to help you win your case so that you can move forward with your life. At Waggoner Hastings LLC we have the experience you need to litigate your family law case and get you the outcome you desire. Email or call us today at 770-641-8200 and let us help you.