Marietta, GA Family Law Attorneys

Divorce, Child Custody, Asset Division & Spousal Maintenance

Divorce

Each case is unique. Each client is important to us. Even though this may be the first time you go through this process, rest assured we have a lot of experience.

Our attorneys and support staff come from a variety of backgrounds with extensive professional experience.

We work as a team to understand your needs, advocate for your best interests and provide trustworthy advice. We draw on the expertise and insights of each member of our firm to provide you with excellent legal representation. Feel free to read more about our approach on our divorce information page.

Our goal is to give you sound advice, practical solutions and cost-effective service.

If you have questions about divorce or other family law related issues, rely on the experienced and insightful guideance of the attorneys at Huff & Woods. We work with clients to pursue the best possible outcome for their situation. Our experienced attorneys handle all areas of family law. Feel free to read more about your particular issue below, and when you're ready, we would love to help you work through to the best possible outcome.

If you have questions about family law, please call our office at 770-429-1001 or contact us online today.

Guardian ad Litem

A Guardian ad Litem, or GAL, is a specially trained person who represents the interests of the children in family law cases. Once a GAL has been appointed by the court:

• He/she will meet with the parents and children
• May meet or talk with other family members, teachers and others who know the parents and children
• May conduct a home visit
• May investigate a family’s circumstances in a variety of ways.

At the end of the investigation, the GAL will make a recommendation to the attorneys and the court regarding what he/she believes to be in the best interest of the children.

The court has the authority to reject or accept (in whole or in part) the GAL’s recommendation for resolving the case, as it relates to the children.

Mediation

Huff & Woods was recently named one of the top mediation law firms in the state of Georgia. In most metro Atlanta counties, parties to a family law case are required to attend mediation prior to a final hearing.

• At mediation, a trained, neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates settlement discussions between the parties.
• The mediator has no authority to make a decision or impose a settlement. Instead, the mediator attempts to focus the attention of the parties on their needs and interests rather than rights and positions.
• Although parties may be required to attend mediation, they are not required to settle their case at mediation.
• If the parties do not reach a settlement or reach only a partial settlement, then they may continue to negotiate and/or may proceed to a final hearing in court.

Our attorneys have the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate discussion and settlement between parties who want to avoid the cost, emotional strain and time necessary for trial.

Modification (Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Alimony)

Nothing is so certain in life as change. If you find your circumstances have changed and you want to pursue a modification or your former spouse has requested a modification of custody, visitation or child support or alimony contact us to schedule a consultation. Each case is unique and our attorneys will discuss your options with you and develop a plan to achieve your goals.

Adoption

Diane Woods has served as the Cobb County Adoptions Investigator from 1991 through 2013. She is a former fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.

Diane Woods handles adoption cases from filing through the final order. Whether your case is as stepparent, independent, grandparent, foster parent or third-party adoption, our team can guide you through the process from start to finish.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a legally binding method of legal dispute resolution in which parties present evidence and arguments to a neutral third party (the arbitrator) who then decides the matter. Like court, there are general rules and guidelines used in arbitration. However, unlike the courtroom, parties may agree to relax the rules of evidence and the parties present the information and arguments to the arbitrator in an informal, meeting room environment.

Our attorneys have successfully arbitrated numerous cases. If you are interested in having a case decided outside of the courtroom, contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Collaborative

Collaborative law is a method for resolving family law cases utilizing several experts and a cooperative environment in which both parties work together. Depending on your particular situation, we may use a financial expert, parenting coach and/or psychologist to assist in crafting an agreement that fits your family needs.

Juvenile Law

The purpose of our Juvenile Courts is to protect the well-being of children, provide guidance and control conducive to child welfare and the best interests of the State, and secure care for children removed from their homes.

Nuptial Agreement

In Georgia, marital property is divided based on the concept of “equitable distribution.” Essentially, this means the court tries to fairly divide the assets that accrued during marriage. In general, assets acquired prior to marriage or by inheritance or gift are not considered marital property. Instead, they are generally considered separate property. However, there are exceptions that you should discuss with your attorney.

You may choose to protect your assets prior to marriage or after marriage by a nuptial agreement. Such agreements can be extremely limited in scope or can encompass your entire estate. The choice is yours. To obtain more information on nuptial agreements, contact us to schedule a consultation.