Family Law

Though people may think family life is in your personal life, in the court of law this is not always the case. Though your personal intentions matter in the eyes of the law, family law means divorce, child custody, adoption, and other family matters that are handled by the court. Family matters such as these are named “family law” in the legal world. When dealing with family law it is important to hire a qualified lawyer. Phillips and Sellers attorneys at law have 22 years of experience dealing with family law.

We Uphold Fair Trials in Columbus, Ga

Absolutely everyone deserves a fair trial. You are not going to get one if you sit back and let the situation handle itself. When something happens with your family, it often takes over your whole life. Including work, finances, and worst of all, your family. Maybe you have no idea what the future will bring, but you can’t let your fear get the best of you. It’s very important to hire a lawyer who is experienced in family law to work through your case. 

Protecting You and Your Family 

When going through legal issues with your family it is essential that you hire a lawyer so the circumstances will not get overwrought by personal emotions and circumstances. This is where family lawyers come in! An experienced lawyer will have a deep understanding of how family law operates in the courtroom. In family law, you can not wait around to see how things are going to turn out. It is important to act quickly and take your power back by hiring a lawyer experienced in family law. 

A Comfortable and Transparent Client-Lawyer Relationship

Here at Phillips and Sellers Attorneys at Law, we understand that family law is not a fun task to deal with. We want to make your experience in the courtroom as smooth as possible. To do this, we strive to provide you with a comfortable environment and transparent family law services in Columbus, GA. Here is what is included in family law: divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianships, and other areas of family and matrimonial law, 

Hire a Trusted Family Lawyer in Columbus, Ga

Phillips and Sellers cannot express how important it is to hire a trusted lawyer when dealing with family law. Though you may want to just go with the court-appointed lawyer, we encourage you to find a trusted family lawyer, such as Phillips and Sellers. Let’s face it, your family is important to you. Our mission is to listen and understand your circumstances to the best of our ability while giving you the transparent feedback that you deserve. We can assure you that we will defend you and your loved ones to the best of our ability. 

Scott Phillips and Angela Sellers have a passion for family law and they believe that it reflects in their work as lawyers in the court of law. We believe it is important to hire a lawyer when you are dealing with family law. Here at Phillips and Sellers, we treat you as our own, caring and preparing your case file just like we would for our own family. 

Does the child have to be present in the county and state of the guardian?

Yes.


Who has to consent to the guardianship of a minor?

The child’s biological mother either has to consent to the guardianship or be served with legal notice of the Petition for Guardianship. The child’s legal father has to consent to the guardianship or be served with legal notice of the Petition for Guardianship. A legal father is defined as a father who was married to the mother of the child at birth or a father that is listed on the birth certificate or who has filed an action to legitimate the child.


Does the child have to consent to the legal guardianship?

A child 14 years or older must consent to guardianship.


Where is an adoption filed?

An adoption is filed in the county of residence of the person(s) who is adopting the child. You must have lived in that county for at least six (6) months prior to the filing of the adoption.


Who can file an adoption?

In Georgia, you must be 25 years of age or over or married and living with your spouse. You must be at least 10 years older than the child. If you are married, you must file jointly to adopt. There is no length of marriage requirement in Georgia. In Alabama, you must be 19 years of age or older. If you are married, you must file jointly. If you are the step-parent attempting to adopt your spouse’s child, you must be married for over one year before filing an adoption.


What is a home-study evaluation?

A licensed agent interviews and investigates the adoption petitioner to determine if the petitioner is physically, financially and emotionally capable of adopting a child. The agent looks at your home, your finances, and your criminal background and makes a report to the Judge to determine if the adoption is in the best interest of the child. The cost in Georgia for the home study is approximately $250.00. The cost in Alabama is more expensive but varies.


Is a home-study evaluation required in every adoption?

In Georgia, a home-study evaluation is required in all adoption cases except step-parent adoptions. In step-parent adoptions, the person petitioning for adoption will have to submit to a criminal background check in lieu of a complete home-study evaluation.


What is the cost of adoption?

The fees vary depending on the complexity of the adoption. If both birth parents consent to the adoption, the adoption is considered uncontested and less expensive.


In certain circumstances, we lawyers will need clients to provide us with documentation at the time we commence our representation or later during the natural flow of the case. This documentation may include marriage licenses, birth certificates, proof of income, certified documents from previous litigation and other kinds of public records. Below is a list of websites where such information can be obtained as well as links to required parenting seminars, child support calculators and other information that prospective or current clients may find helpful.

Phillips and Sellers Attorneys At Law

We are lawyers in Columbus, Georgia. Phillips and Sellers specialize in Columbus family law and are here to help you through your court proceedings. We offer child support attorneys, cheap divorce attorneys, family lawyers and more! Contact us today.

Family Lawyers Columbus GA