Family Law

Divorce, Child Custody & Visitation, Child Support, Adoption

Divorce

Divorce is the legal process of dissolving a marriage, establishing custody and support for minor children, as well as the division of marital assets and debts between parties.  This process is often complicated and takes an emotional toll on both parties on top of the already stressful time of ending a long-term romantic relationship.  Emmett Arnold and his team understand how difficult divorce and the related litigation can be and, with over 36 years of experience, will guide you through the process in a way that achieves your goals whether your divorce can be finalized with an amicable settlement agreement or results in a contentious trial in front of a judge or jury.

Our team will provide total support throughout the divorce process, but we also handle pre-nuptial agreements; post-nuptial agreements; spousal support or alimony modifications; child custody, child visitation, or child support modifications; cohabitation agreements; annulments; and legal separation or separate maintenance agreements.  In the event your ex-spouse fails to comply with the provisions of your Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce, we can assist with forcing compliance through legal action, including an Application for Contempt.

Child Custody & Visitation

Custody and visitation of the children can be a difficult and contentious issue during a divorce and afterward.  Legal custody means having responsibility to make significant decisions in the areas of non-emergency healthcare, education, extracurricular activities, and religious upbringing of the children.  Physical custody is the determination of the parenting time schedule which dictates what days or weeks each parent has the children with them.

Attorney Emmett Arnold and his team will expertly guide you through your child custody or visitation issues, drawing on his vast experience in these types of cases over the last 36 years and familiarity with local judges.  These types of conflicts are often very emotionally charged, and our team will work with you to achieve a parenting time schedule that is in the best interest of your child or children.

Our team is also very familiar with legitimations of children of unmarried couples and will guide you through the unique issues presented in these types of cases whether straightforward and uncontested or highly contentious.

Finally, from time to time, it is necessary to modify a parenting plan due to changes in the family, the needs of the child, or other factors.  Emmett Arnold will also provide practical, real-world advice about the proposed modifications and will represent you in any legal filings or litigation needed to address the modification.

 

Child Support

 When the two biological parents of a child are not married, the Court must establish child support.  Child support payments are made by the parent who does not have primary physical custody to the parent who does have primary physical custody for the purpose of contributing to the cost of raising the child.  The law sets out specific guidelines that govern the amount of child support, but there are many factors that are considered.  Whether part of a divorce or the child’s parents were never married, child support needs to be established and you need an experienced attorney to guide you through the process.

If you are the custodial parent, you want to make sure you are receiving the maximum amount of child support possible to assist you with the financial burdens of raising the child; if you are the non-custodial parent, you want to make sure you are paying a reasonable amount of child support that is in line with the child support guidelines and Georgia law.  Attorney Emmett Arnold has the experience representing both payee and payor to advocate for you and your child’s best interests both out of court through settlement or in court in front of a judge.

Adoption

There is never a happier day than when a couple adopts a child to raise as their own.  From step-parent adoptions to non-relative adoptions and everything in between, Emmett has handled the adoption of over a hundred children over the years and nothing gives him more pleasure than assisting in the creation of a family with children.

Client Testimonials

Kate Thompson helped our family get through a very difficult time handling the estate of our mother. She was compassionate and answered all of our questions regarding the probate process. Kate patiently walked us through the whole ordeal, step by step, and we were extremely grateful. I will definitely reach out to her practice again for legal advice.

Laura W.

Our family had a very successful experience with Mr. Emmett Arnold. When a family member needed legal services, Emmett Arnold came highly recommended and he did not disappoint. He and his staff were prompt in returning calls and emails, and kept us abreast on the progress of the case throughout. When mediation and negotiations broke down, and court was the only remaining avenue, Mr. Arnold argued the case strongly, was well prepared and , thankfully, our family prevailed. Mr. Arnold and his law firm will continue to be our first choice whenever legal services are needed.

Donna T.

Kate! What an awesome human being firstly, and an even better representing agent! No one wants to deal with the hardship that comes with losing a loved one, much less when the probate court is involved, but Ms. Kate does such a great job of easing the burden that is having to deal with the court system. I very much underestimated the gravity of the circumstances I was dealing with when I initially went through the probate process. I soon realized it would be best to seek legal advice and representation and I can 100% say that I would not look any further than Ms. Kate.

Bryan M.

Emmett Arnold is an amazing attorney. He and his staff not only have the knowledge of the laws, but their compassion is wonderful. In situations that involve family law, it can be increasingly stressful, but Mr. Arnold kept me updated every step of the way; more importantly he was able to ease a lot of the emotional nervousness. Thank you Mr. Arnold and staff for the great job you did for me!

Monica P.