Is there a difference in alimony, maintenance and spousal support?
Alimony, maintenance and spousal support are all terms you may hear describing monthly payments made from one spouse to another, typically for a set amount of time. Sometimes these payments are temporary during the course of a divorce and in some cases they’re permanent as ordered by a judge. The purpose of these payments is to aid the spouse who may have been kept out of the workforce for the duration of the marriage.
What does it mean to pay child support?
Child support is an amount of money paid from one parent to the other for the care and support of any children in the event the parents no longer live together. In Georgia like most states child support is determined using objective measures like income and formulas taking some of the emotional contention out of the equation.
What’s the difference between physical and legal custody? What about visitation?
All of these terms refer to the amount of time children spend with each parent and the amount of authority each parent has. Physical custody refers to the actual physical location of the child while legal custody refers to the decision-making ability each parent has on particular child-rearing issues. Visitation determines how often and for how long the non-custodial parent sees the child.
Is divorce the same thing as dissolution of marriage?
Divorce is the legal process by which a marriage is terminated or dissolved. Once a divorce is granted each spouse has the right to remarry and issues such as distribution of property, spousal support and child custody may be determined by private mediation or the court system.
What does it mean to be a victim of domestic violence?
Sometimes referred to as intimate partner violence, domestic violence is the act of controlling another through physical, verbal, emotional or psychological violence. Studies have shown the period between separation and divorce can be the likeliest time for couples to engage in domestic violence. The courts in Georgia take domestic violence very seriously and the issue factors into many family law cases.
Do I need a prenup?
A prenuptial agreement is a legal term for a contract entered into by both parties before marriage. The document outlines specifics like property division and is usually upheld by the court so long as both parties were clear on its implications and in the event it doesn’t unfairly penalize one spouse over another.
My divorce is messy…what are my property rights?
Community property is a term that prescribes the division of property acquired by the parties during the course of a marriage, either together or as individuals. Some states divide the property equally while others determine who earned what then divide accordingly. Equitable division is the law in most states which takes into account all the circumstances of the division of property and attempts to award each party equitably.
What should I do if I think I need a family law attorney?
If you feel overwhelmed by the complexities of your divorce case you should immediately contact an attorney like J Thomas Salata. Having knowledgeable, experienced legal representation can greatly benefit your case and help your divorce proceed quickly and fairly. Thomas Salata has been protecting his clients’ rights in Alpharett and Atlanta for over a decade – call his office today for a free consultation.
