"My Divorce will be very simple, we are not fighting about anything." This is the beginning of the vast majority of the inquiries an uncontested divorce. Unfortunately, after asking a few questions of the prospective client, I usually tell them, "My friend, you have just not found out what you are fighting about yet." The reality is, no one wants to pay a lawyer by the hour to handle their divorce. Needless to say, I have yet to understand why people have a reluctance to pay me and my fellow members of the bar. ;-) Seriously though, when I begin questioning them with specificity on issues of child support, custody, division of assets and liabilities, it often dawns on them that what appeared as an open and shut matter, is now more complicated. Unfortunately, a professional hazard of a Divorce Attorney in Atlanta, or any other jurisdiction, is that we get to focus on the worst case scenarios. What can go wrong, often does, and proper planning and, yes, the spending of precious financial resources is usually necessary to avoid major problems going forward.
Bottom line, when an uncontested divorce is possible, we try to achieve it. However, when the facts presented do not lend themselves to a quick and relatively painless process, we prepare the client for the eventualities of the Divorce process; while keeping our eye on the bottom line financial reality of the individual client.
Remember, we offer free consultations on the phone and can usually get an idea of potentially how complicated your family law matter will be in a fairly short time. Give SHAPIRO LAW GROUP a call at 770-604-9292.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Child Support Modifications On The Rise
As a Divorce Lawyer in Metropolitan Atlanta, what once appeared as an unusual event, people forgoing divorce due to economic conditions, is now becoming more common. Certainly, couples willingness to spend funds on protracted litigation is becoming more the rule than ever in the past. That being said, I have seen a tremendous upsurge in parties seeking to modify their existing child support obligations. Georgia’s Child Support Guidelines recently joined the rest of the United States in apportioning support based, in part, on the income of both parents. This, along with a number of other financial factors, has created a more complex, but arguably more reasonable system for assessing support.
In Georgia, to modify child support you must make a showing of a substantial change in either parent’s income or financial status, or a change in the needs of the children. O.C.G.A. §19-6-15(k)(1). These days, the most common substantial change is the loss of a job,. However, it could also include significant reductions in pay, having to move a substantial distance from the minor children for work, or any number of other financial calamities that are befalling families in our current economic situation. It should also be noted that the substantial change must occur after the date of the original divorce decree or order establishing child support
It should be noted that you can only bring a modification action every two years after the date of the last modification. The exceptions to this are that you can bring a modification action :
(1) If the non-custodial parent has failed to exercise court ordered visitation;
(2) if the non-custodial parent has exercised more visitation than provided in the court order; or
(3) the modification action is based upon an involuntary loss of income. O.C.G.A. §19-6-15(k)(2)(A) – (C).
Also, always remember that verbal modifications between the parties have no force and effect (except in very limited circumstances) and if you want to properly effect a modification, the Court can only begin the process from the date you file an action and not from the date you lose your job, or suffer some other financial setback.
Give SHAPIRO LAW GROUP a call at 770-604-9292 to discuss the specifics of your matter
In Georgia, to modify child support you must make a showing of a substantial change in either parent’s income or financial status, or a change in the needs of the children. O.C.G.A. §19-6-15(k)(1). These days, the most common substantial change is the loss of a job,. However, it could also include significant reductions in pay, having to move a substantial distance from the minor children for work, or any number of other financial calamities that are befalling families in our current economic situation. It should also be noted that the substantial change must occur after the date of the original divorce decree or order establishing child support
It should be noted that you can only bring a modification action every two years after the date of the last modification. The exceptions to this are that you can bring a modification action :
(1) If the non-custodial parent has failed to exercise court ordered visitation;
(2) if the non-custodial parent has exercised more visitation than provided in the court order; or
(3) the modification action is based upon an involuntary loss of income. O.C.G.A. §19-6-15(k)(2)(A) – (C).
Also, always remember that verbal modifications between the parties have no force and effect (except in very limited circumstances) and if you want to properly effect a modification, the Court can only begin the process from the date you file an action and not from the date you lose your job, or suffer some other financial setback.
Give SHAPIRO LAW GROUP a call at 770-604-9292 to discuss the specifics of your matter
Atlanta Divorce Rate and the Economy
More and more we are hearing about how the crumbling economy is effecting people's choice, or even ability, to proceed with divorce. A recent example in the local Atlanta media follows:
Economic downturn affects marriage, families
By Brenda Pedraza-Vidamour
The Times-Herald
The impact of the worsening economy doesn't end with housing, banking or the stock market -- some marriages are also suffering.
Fights over money, sex and children are what typically tear most couples apart, according to experts. But it's still too early to tell whether today's economic times are also driving couples to divorce.
While foreclosures in Coweta County increased 44 percent and bankruptcies climbed 38 percent over the last year, divorces rose 9 percent for the same period.
What is clear is that today's tough times are affecting how divorces are being handled.
"No one wants the house now," said Diane Sternlieb, a Carrollton divorce attorney who also practices in Coweta. "Before we were fighting to keep the house. Now we're fighting where no one wants the house. It's like the forbidden asset."
Sternlieb said couples considering divorce are trying different strategies to avoid being saddled with debt, whether it's the mortgage or child support.
"I have more really, really awful custody battles," she said. "I think it's the stress hitting everyone. More people are laid off [from their jobs]. They're not able to pay child support."
Clients refuse to take the house or resign themselves to a short sale, in which the house is sold for less than what's owed on it.
"If one person is more apt to be able to refinance the house, then that person will take it and the other will forego any [gain] and walk away. Or sometimes they both walk away and malign their credit."
While Sternlieb's office has been "slammed busy" with more divorce cases, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reported to USA Today last month that it's seeing divorce rates fall. Overall, 37 percent of its members said they saw a decrease in divorce cases and 19 percent cited an increase, according to the organization's November report.
Reports across the country are noting people are either postponing divorce because they can't afford it; divorcing anyway, but not taking the house; divorcing anyway, but continuing to live together; or are trying to divorce, but find that a delayed house sale or other recession-related cause has protracted the process. Courts have also seen an increase in the number of "pro se plaintiffs."
"Clients aren't hiring anybody. They're doing it themselves," Sternlieb says, which has also postponed some divorces because the couples run into difficulties processing court-required information.
In a recent report, ABC News' "Good Morning, America" talked about how the economy is now forcing divorced couples to live together, citing Florida divorce attorney Carin Constantine, who recalled a case in which "the judge put an order in stating what days they were allowed to use the kitchen, and who got to use the living room, who got to use the television."
Sternlieb said her own daughter, against her advice, is considering a divorced-but-living-together arrangement with her estranged husband in Texas.
"They can't afford to live separately. They can't afford separate residences. More and more people, this is what they're doing, and this is awful because they're roommates now with their ex-spouse," she said.
Sternlieb says the arrangement creates joint physical custody issues and makes it harder for the children.
"It's confusing for the children and when one of them moves out, it's a real hard thing to go to a judge and say I want to be the primary custodian," she said.
"The economic crisis is almost creating a split in physical custody," she added. "People aren't able to afford daycare so that's where a lot of the joint physical custody is coming in. A lot of dads are out of work so it's 'I'll watch the baby during the day... Well, if he watches the baby, he must be able to handle physical custody."
Even when couples are successful in finalizing their divorce, resolving the custody issues and able to move into separate households and manage it all amicably, the recession has made it so much more difficult for them to move on.
Georgia State University sociologist Elisabeth Sheff and her ex shared those experiences with Dana Goldman on a recent 90.1-FM WABE news segment. The couple watched as their savings depleted as her ex, a former sociologist and stay-at-home father, continues to struggle to reenter a workforce that's suffering from a high unemployment rate. Sheff, who sees one-third of her take-home pay go toward child support, didn't imagine that their friendly divorce would still leave them exposed to the same dire consequences as other divorcing couples, because of the recession.
"I didn't anticipate over a year later being in this one-bedroom apartment," she said. "I'm not making it. To tell you the truth, I just don't know what to do."
---
Recession's impact on marriage
Month ('07) Divorces•Bankruptcies•Foreclosures
Jan - 46 • 35 • 94
Feb - 48 • 47 • 94
March - 57 • 73 • 87
April - 46 • 48 • 91
May - 47 • 39 • 71
June - 55 • 51 • 79
July - 55 • 45 • 70
Aug - 62 • 59 • 112
Sept - 33 • 52 • 109
Oct - 65 • 58 • 130
Nov - 53 • 52 • 116
Dec - 30 • 53 • 118
Total - 597 • 612 • 1,171
-
Month ('08) Divorces•Bankruptcies•Foreclosures
Jan - 44 • 56 • 156
Feb - 55 • 61 • 123
March - 52 • 61 • 128
April - 53 • 68 • 145
May - 55 • 56 • 128
June - 65 • 65 • 125
July - 45 • 63 • 136
Aug - 62 • 80 • 137
Sept - 57 • 82 • 177
Oct - 64 • 93 • 142
Nov - 45 • 67 • 166
Dec - 51 • 92 • 126
Total - 648•844•1,689
-
The statistics listed include court filings from Jan. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2008.
The divorce filings include annulments and open and closed cases. Source: Coweta County Superior Court.
The bankruptcy filings include open and closed cases and business and nonbusiness filings. Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia.
The foreclosure filings include commercial and residential real estate. Source: Legal advertising statistics from The Times-Herald, the official legal publication for Coweta County.
Economic downturn affects marriage, families
By Brenda Pedraza-Vidamour
The Times-Herald
The impact of the worsening economy doesn't end with housing, banking or the stock market -- some marriages are also suffering.
Fights over money, sex and children are what typically tear most couples apart, according to experts. But it's still too early to tell whether today's economic times are also driving couples to divorce.
While foreclosures in Coweta County increased 44 percent and bankruptcies climbed 38 percent over the last year, divorces rose 9 percent for the same period.
What is clear is that today's tough times are affecting how divorces are being handled.
"No one wants the house now," said Diane Sternlieb, a Carrollton divorce attorney who also practices in Coweta. "Before we were fighting to keep the house. Now we're fighting where no one wants the house. It's like the forbidden asset."
Sternlieb said couples considering divorce are trying different strategies to avoid being saddled with debt, whether it's the mortgage or child support.
"I have more really, really awful custody battles," she said. "I think it's the stress hitting everyone. More people are laid off [from their jobs]. They're not able to pay child support."
Clients refuse to take the house or resign themselves to a short sale, in which the house is sold for less than what's owed on it.
"If one person is more apt to be able to refinance the house, then that person will take it and the other will forego any [gain] and walk away. Or sometimes they both walk away and malign their credit."
While Sternlieb's office has been "slammed busy" with more divorce cases, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reported to USA Today last month that it's seeing divorce rates fall. Overall, 37 percent of its members said they saw a decrease in divorce cases and 19 percent cited an increase, according to the organization's November report.
Reports across the country are noting people are either postponing divorce because they can't afford it; divorcing anyway, but not taking the house; divorcing anyway, but continuing to live together; or are trying to divorce, but find that a delayed house sale or other recession-related cause has protracted the process. Courts have also seen an increase in the number of "pro se plaintiffs."
"Clients aren't hiring anybody. They're doing it themselves," Sternlieb says, which has also postponed some divorces because the couples run into difficulties processing court-required information.
In a recent report, ABC News' "Good Morning, America" talked about how the economy is now forcing divorced couples to live together, citing Florida divorce attorney Carin Constantine, who recalled a case in which "the judge put an order in stating what days they were allowed to use the kitchen, and who got to use the living room, who got to use the television."
Sternlieb said her own daughter, against her advice, is considering a divorced-but-living-together arrangement with her estranged husband in Texas.
"They can't afford to live separately. They can't afford separate residences. More and more people, this is what they're doing, and this is awful because they're roommates now with their ex-spouse," she said.
Sternlieb says the arrangement creates joint physical custody issues and makes it harder for the children.
"It's confusing for the children and when one of them moves out, it's a real hard thing to go to a judge and say I want to be the primary custodian," she said.
"The economic crisis is almost creating a split in physical custody," she added. "People aren't able to afford daycare so that's where a lot of the joint physical custody is coming in. A lot of dads are out of work so it's 'I'll watch the baby during the day... Well, if he watches the baby, he must be able to handle physical custody."
Even when couples are successful in finalizing their divorce, resolving the custody issues and able to move into separate households and manage it all amicably, the recession has made it so much more difficult for them to move on.
Georgia State University sociologist Elisabeth Sheff and her ex shared those experiences with Dana Goldman on a recent 90.1-FM WABE news segment. The couple watched as their savings depleted as her ex, a former sociologist and stay-at-home father, continues to struggle to reenter a workforce that's suffering from a high unemployment rate. Sheff, who sees one-third of her take-home pay go toward child support, didn't imagine that their friendly divorce would still leave them exposed to the same dire consequences as other divorcing couples, because of the recession.
"I didn't anticipate over a year later being in this one-bedroom apartment," she said. "I'm not making it. To tell you the truth, I just don't know what to do."
---
Recession's impact on marriage
Month ('07) Divorces•Bankruptcies•Foreclosures
Jan - 46 • 35 • 94
Feb - 48 • 47 • 94
March - 57 • 73 • 87
April - 46 • 48 • 91
May - 47 • 39 • 71
June - 55 • 51 • 79
July - 55 • 45 • 70
Aug - 62 • 59 • 112
Sept - 33 • 52 • 109
Oct - 65 • 58 • 130
Nov - 53 • 52 • 116
Dec - 30 • 53 • 118
Total - 597 • 612 • 1,171
-
Month ('08) Divorces•Bankruptcies•Foreclosures
Jan - 44 • 56 • 156
Feb - 55 • 61 • 123
March - 52 • 61 • 128
April - 53 • 68 • 145
May - 55 • 56 • 128
June - 65 • 65 • 125
July - 45 • 63 • 136
Aug - 62 • 80 • 137
Sept - 57 • 82 • 177
Oct - 64 • 93 • 142
Nov - 45 • 67 • 166
Dec - 51 • 92 • 126
Total - 648•844•1,689
-
The statistics listed include court filings from Jan. 1, 2007, through Dec. 31, 2008.
The divorce filings include annulments and open and closed cases. Source: Coweta County Superior Court.
The bankruptcy filings include open and closed cases and business and nonbusiness filings. Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Georgia.
The foreclosure filings include commercial and residential real estate. Source: Legal advertising statistics from The Times-Herald, the official legal publication for Coweta County.
File this under: "You've got to be kidding?"
Alimony--Using Craigslist to get out of paying?
Man offers to pay for someone to marry ex-wife
Imagine sitting at your computer and you are browsing the classified ads on Craiglist and suddenly you come across the following ad:
Nice well taken care of ex-wife. Mid 40's. Pretty and loyal. Never smoked and very little drinking. Will make someone a good companion (I know).... Will pay 10K to the man or woman who marries her in a way that stops me from having to pay her alimony.
There's the hitch. The man, trying to end his alimony payments to his ex-wife, is offering to pay a potential suitor to marry his ex-wife. Not being totally callous, the guy actually had some "terms and conditions" for this transaction.
* 1. This transaction offer only valid if she is not aware of it.
* 2. Must treat her good, no abuse tolerated by me.
* 3. This offer is null and void if it is determined to be illegal in any way -- I am not a lawyer.
* 4. The end result must be that I am no longer liable to her for alimony and you make best effort to be good to her.
* 5. This ad is not in any way intended to demean my ex-wife. She is a nice person and is a fine catch for anyone.
OOPS. I think the cat's out of the bag on condition #1. With news of the post hitting newspapers, she or some friends might find out. He might also have a problem with condition #3. At least he did not want to "demean" his ex-wife in any way--what a guy.
In Mississippi, if you are paying alimony to your ex, don't use this tactic to end the alimony. Not only will it fall flat in front of the judge, but you can be assured your ex will not find the humor in being marketed on Craigslist.
Man offers to pay for someone to marry ex-wife
Imagine sitting at your computer and you are browsing the classified ads on Craiglist and suddenly you come across the following ad:
Nice well taken care of ex-wife. Mid 40's. Pretty and loyal. Never smoked and very little drinking. Will make someone a good companion (I know).... Will pay 10K to the man or woman who marries her in a way that stops me from having to pay her alimony.
There's the hitch. The man, trying to end his alimony payments to his ex-wife, is offering to pay a potential suitor to marry his ex-wife. Not being totally callous, the guy actually had some "terms and conditions" for this transaction.
* 1. This transaction offer only valid if she is not aware of it.
* 2. Must treat her good, no abuse tolerated by me.
* 3. This offer is null and void if it is determined to be illegal in any way -- I am not a lawyer.
* 4. The end result must be that I am no longer liable to her for alimony and you make best effort to be good to her.
* 5. This ad is not in any way intended to demean my ex-wife. She is a nice person and is a fine catch for anyone.
OOPS. I think the cat's out of the bag on condition #1. With news of the post hitting newspapers, she or some friends might find out. He might also have a problem with condition #3. At least he did not want to "demean" his ex-wife in any way--what a guy.
In Mississippi, if you are paying alimony to your ex, don't use this tactic to end the alimony. Not only will it fall flat in front of the judge, but you can be assured your ex will not find the humor in being marketed on Craigslist.
Divorce - Atlanta Style
Prior to moving to Atlanta, a little over 10 years ago, I practiced law in New York City. I was an associate at a boutique litigation firm on Madison Avenue, and had my wife not gotten a wonderful job offer here in the South, I would likely still be spending much of my time on the subways and commuting by train. I am absolutely thrilled that we settled in Atlanta, and have continually tried to get friends and family to add our Southern hospitality to their lives. My office is less than two miles from my home and the lifestyle that Atlanta affords my family continues to amaze me.
That being said, after settling a Divorce case today, I was reminded about the most common question I get from former colleagues up north. "Is practicing law, Divorce or otherwise, different in the South?" Now, obviously, their are procedural differences that impact the practice of law. However, what I see as the biggest, and often most frustrating difference, is the slower pace by which matters progress. This might seem strange, in light of the fact that I believe the average case in New York takes much longer to wend its way through the system. No....what I am getting at is the speed with which you actually find out what the other side is looking for and and figuring out if you had any room to discuss settlement, or were issues to be submitted to the Court for a ruling. The case I settled today is a great example. Three days ago I received an counteroffer from the attorney on the other side. We had presented our initial settlement proposal nearly six months ago. The original counter-proposal I received from opposing counsel would have put both clients in a potential financial disaster. We completed financial discovery nearly 4 months ago, and despite numerous discussions and requests for comment on our last offer made in late December, 2008, opposing counsel refused to let us know what his client agreed with and what were points of contention. Finally, I asked the Court to place us on a trial calendar. My client was frustrated, but understood that this was the only way to move the matter along.
Two days after I contacted the Court, and three months after we sent out last offer, opposing counsel provided us with a counteroffer, one whose terms almost exactly mirrored the terms of the original settlement agreement that we submitted nearly nine months ago. They agreed with our terms on alimony, child support, visitation. My client will pick up an extra credit card and will be responsible for any shortfall in the value of the home, if ti sells for less than it is worth. Unfortunately, the house has lost value since the time of the original settlement proposal. Had they agreed at the onset, it probably would have let the parties cash out of their home with some equity and not cost them over $20,000 in legal fees.
I have seen this progression all to often, since moving to Atlanta. The attorney on the other side was a good lawyer, effectively argued his client's position and was a pleasure to deal with. He just let us move the case along at a snail's pace. This is in no one's interest.
That being said, after settling a Divorce case today, I was reminded about the most common question I get from former colleagues up north. "Is practicing law, Divorce or otherwise, different in the South?" Now, obviously, their are procedural differences that impact the practice of law. However, what I see as the biggest, and often most frustrating difference, is the slower pace by which matters progress. This might seem strange, in light of the fact that I believe the average case in New York takes much longer to wend its way through the system. No....what I am getting at is the speed with which you actually find out what the other side is looking for and and figuring out if you had any room to discuss settlement, or were issues to be submitted to the Court for a ruling. The case I settled today is a great example. Three days ago I received an counteroffer from the attorney on the other side. We had presented our initial settlement proposal nearly six months ago. The original counter-proposal I received from opposing counsel would have put both clients in a potential financial disaster. We completed financial discovery nearly 4 months ago, and despite numerous discussions and requests for comment on our last offer made in late December, 2008, opposing counsel refused to let us know what his client agreed with and what were points of contention. Finally, I asked the Court to place us on a trial calendar. My client was frustrated, but understood that this was the only way to move the matter along.
Two days after I contacted the Court, and three months after we sent out last offer, opposing counsel provided us with a counteroffer, one whose terms almost exactly mirrored the terms of the original settlement agreement that we submitted nearly nine months ago. They agreed with our terms on alimony, child support, visitation. My client will pick up an extra credit card and will be responsible for any shortfall in the value of the home, if ti sells for less than it is worth. Unfortunately, the house has lost value since the time of the original settlement proposal. Had they agreed at the onset, it probably would have let the parties cash out of their home with some equity and not cost them over $20,000 in legal fees.
I have seen this progression all to often, since moving to Atlanta. The attorney on the other side was a good lawyer, effectively argued his client's position and was a pleasure to deal with. He just let us move the case along at a snail's pace. This is in no one's interest.
Georgia Divorce Law Basics (part 1)
As an Atlanta Divorce Lawyer, one of the most frequent areas of confusion that I have to clear up in consultations with new clients is the difference between an Uncontested Divorce and a No-Fault Divorce. As I have previously written about, many people think they want an Uncontested Divorce, but they just have not found out what they are fighting about. The following explains the difference between the two closely linked ideas.
Under most circumstances, the Divorce Complaint is the initial document or pleading filed with the Superior Court in the County in which the defendant resides. This document must spell out the specific grounds under which the petitioner is seeking to end the marriage.
A final decree of divorce shall be granted under the following grounds:
(1) The marriage is irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation. This is the ground for divorce that many people think of as Irreconcilable Differences. If the parties agree, in writing, to settle all issues (Child Support, Custody, Division of Assets and Liabilities, etc), then, under this ground, the parties may jointly request of the Court a decree of divorce after the expiration of 30 days (an uncontested divorce)
However, if the parties want to fight, they can proceed with a divorce case under the first ground or any of the following grounds:
(2) Intermarriage by persons within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or affinity;
(3) Mental incapacitation;
(4) Impotence at the time of getting married;
(5) Force, duress and fraud
(6) Pregnancy of the wife by a man other than the husband, at the time of the marriage, unknown to the husband;
(7) Adultery by either spouse
(8) Willful and continued desertion by either of the spouses for the term of 1 year;
(9) Conviction of a felony and imprisoned for a term of 2 years or longer;
(10) Habitual drunkenness;
(11) Cruel treatment;
(12) Incurable mental illness.
(13) Habitual drug addiction. (Georgia Code - §19-5-3)
Every divorce matter filed in Georgia must state a ground for the Court to grant the Divorce, a ground that must be substantiated with evidence at trial. If you would like further explanation of the ramifications of the grounds for divorce and how they could potentially affect your case, please call SHAPIRO LAW GROUP at 770.604.9292 for a free consultation.
Under most circumstances, the Divorce Complaint is the initial document or pleading filed with the Superior Court in the County in which the defendant resides. This document must spell out the specific grounds under which the petitioner is seeking to end the marriage.
A final decree of divorce shall be granted under the following grounds:
(1) The marriage is irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation. This is the ground for divorce that many people think of as Irreconcilable Differences. If the parties agree, in writing, to settle all issues (Child Support, Custody, Division of Assets and Liabilities, etc), then, under this ground, the parties may jointly request of the Court a decree of divorce after the expiration of 30 days (an uncontested divorce)
However, if the parties want to fight, they can proceed with a divorce case under the first ground or any of the following grounds:
(2) Intermarriage by persons within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or affinity;
(3) Mental incapacitation;
(4) Impotence at the time of getting married;
(5) Force, duress and fraud
(6) Pregnancy of the wife by a man other than the husband, at the time of the marriage, unknown to the husband;
(7) Adultery by either spouse
(8) Willful and continued desertion by either of the spouses for the term of 1 year;
(9) Conviction of a felony and imprisoned for a term of 2 years or longer;
(10) Habitual drunkenness;
(11) Cruel treatment;
(12) Incurable mental illness.
(13) Habitual drug addiction. (Georgia Code - §19-5-3)
Every divorce matter filed in Georgia must state a ground for the Court to grant the Divorce, a ground that must be substantiated with evidence at trial. If you would like further explanation of the ramifications of the grounds for divorce and how they could potentially affect your case, please call SHAPIRO LAW GROUP at 770.604.9292 for a free consultation.
Atlanta Child Support Cases
A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed by a Moni Basu, a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She had seen a previous posting on this blog where I had commented on the clear and dramatic increase that I had observed in people seeking to modify existing Child Support Orders. She was seeking my input into an article she was working on concerning how the Atlanta economy was affecting patents ability to obtain or pay for child support. As part of article, she interviewed several of my clients for whom the dramatic changes in the economy were wreaking havoc in their abilities to provide for their children.
The bottom line is that if you are in need of a modification or you are not receiving support for a non-custodial parent, it is in your best interest to address the issue as soon as possible. The financial problems our country is facing will likely grow worse over the short term, before we see any significant improvements.
Acting to protect yourself before all assets or other means of support have evaporated serves no one's best interest. Obviously, if you have any questions or concerns about your own matter give SHAPIRO LAW GROUP a call at 770-604-9292 to discuss the specifics of your matter. We give free phone consultations and are always willing to speak with potential clients.
The bottom line is that if you are in need of a modification or you are not receiving support for a non-custodial parent, it is in your best interest to address the issue as soon as possible. The financial problems our country is facing will likely grow worse over the short term, before we see any significant improvements.
Acting to protect yourself before all assets or other means of support have evaporated serves no one's best interest. Obviously, if you have any questions or concerns about your own matter give SHAPIRO LAW GROUP a call at 770-604-9292 to discuss the specifics of your matter. We give free phone consultations and are always willing to speak with potential clients.
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