10 Mistakes to Avoid When Facing Criminal Charges in Georgia

Choosing to adopt a child is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. However, there are complex rules that aim to safeguard the child, which can make the application process difficult. A local adoption attorney in Augusta, GA can provide invaluable guidance, helping you present a strong case and avoid disqualification where possible. Eligibility Rules for Adoption in Georgia In Georgia, there are multiple possible routes to adopt a child, including public adoptions through the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, agency adoptions, and privately organized adoptions. Regardless of the option you choose, there are basic eligibility criteria that you must fulfill: Aged at least 21, or married and living with your spouse Resident of Georgia when the petition is filed At least 10 years older than the child (unless you are a stepparent) Physically, mentally, and financially able to have permanent custody In addition to fulfilling the above criteria, every person who wants to adopt must undergo a full evaluation. During the evaluation process, checks will be carried out to ascertain whether there are any factors that would make the potential parents unsuitable. What Factors May Prevent Adoption? Even if you pass the basic eligibility criteria, you may be disqualified for another reason discovered during the evaluation. Common factors that can lead to disqualification include: Criminal Record A prior felony conviction won't result in automatic disqualification, but it is something that will be looked at very carefully. Background checks for any convictions will be carried out based on fingerprints, so it's essential to be honest about your history. Some convictions will present more difficulties than others. For example, any convictions for child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or sexual misconduct may result in the application being denied. Other non-violent convictions may also be considered significant if there is any evidence of unresolved issues. Mental Health Difficulties Mental health conditions are common and in many cases won't be a cause for concern. However, if symptoms are severe and current, or there is a history of regular relapses with resistance to treatment, approval to adopt may not be granted. Unsuitable Home Environment Georgia expects all prospective adoptive households to have sufficient space and to adhere to safety standards. If your home environment is unstable, too small, or contains hazardous features, approval may be withheld until you have moved to an alternative property. Inspections will also look for stability, consistency, and a loving atmosphere. If there is a history of regular house moves, frequent difficulties within your relationship, or an unstable domestic environment, you may be disqualified. Get Advice From an Adoption Attorney A lawyer can help ensure any unfavorable historical aspects are viewed in context, and that your application is presented in the most positive way. An attorney will be familiar with the adoption procedure and can help you comply with all requirements. This prevents any delays and will secure the best possible result. We have extensive experience in all types of adoption and can support you throughout the whole process. To talk to a compassionate lawyer, contact us today at Davis, Chapman, & Wilder in Augusta, GA. We are proud to serve all the local communities, including Lincolnton, Thomson, Evans, Martinez, Waynesboro, and Grovetown.

Here in Georgia, couples who want to divorce can get a mediation lawyer and go through a more amicable process than taking things all the way to trial in the Augusta, GA courts. You're allowed under the law to resolve every disputed issue in a divorce without a trial, and most cases do actually end that way. When a Trial Is Required A trial is required only if there are issues that remain contested when the case is called before the court. The judge may refer all contested divorce petitions for divorce or permanent alimony to an appropriate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method before holding the trial if the trial is held in a county where there's a court-annexed ADR program already in place. In counties where there aren't, the judge may still refer a disputed case if a method is reasonably available and wouldn't add a lot of cost. When There's Perfect Agreement For some couples, the right move forward is an uncontested filing. This is where the spouses already agree on how to divide their property and debts, what alimony there will be, custody and parenting time issues, and all issues of child support. The couple will still need to submit a written settlement agreement for the court to review and incorporate into the decree, and the court will still need to find that the agreement is fair, particularly in the issues of property division, alimony, and child support. Even if you and your spouse believe you agree completely, it's important to talk with a lawyer who can help you work through your agreement and ensure the court will find it appropriate. When There's Room for Compromise Even if you and your spouse don't yet perfectly agree, if your attitude is positive towards compromise and cooperation, you can still get things done through negotiations and mediation. In fact, the courts will encourage you to keep trying this, and you can convert a contested case into an uncontested one at any point before trial. Mediation In mediation, a neutral facilitator helps the parties reach a voluntary agreement. The mediator has no power to impose terms, and the settlement itself is voluntary. If you engage in a few good-faith sessions but can't produce an agreement, the petition will go to trial. Collaborative Divorce This is a private process in which both spouses and their individual legal counsel commit to settling outside court by signing what's known as a Participation Agreement. The parties also all agree that, if the process fails, the lawyers will withdraw so new counsel can litigate the case in court. This process typically takes three to six months, and it can't be stopped except by actually breaking the agreement entirely. It's important to understand that the Settlement Agreement as a binding contract once it is incorporated into the divorce decree. Contact a Mediation Lawyer in Augusta, GA If you're interested in a divorce that is less contentious, cheaper, and faster, mediation or another ADR method could be the answer. To find out if this is a good fit for your case, talk to Davis, Chapman, & Wilder today to request a consultation.

Two-wheeled vehicle accidents in Georgia, most of which involve motorcycles, aren't the same as ordinary car accidents when it comes to making claims. The personal injury aspects of these cases are usually devastating to the rider, and a motorcycle accident lawyer is an important ally for anyone injured in such an accident. How Two-Wheeled Accidents Differ From Regular Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Extreme Injuries A passenger car surrounds its occupants with a steel frame that has crumple zones, and it comes with seat belts and airbags that absorb and redirect the force of a crash. A motorcycle, trike, or similar two-wheeled vehicle has none of those barriers, so even a collision that would produce only bruising or whiplash inside a car routinely produces much more serious injuries in riders. The resulting medical bills, the long rehabilitation period (during which it's often impossible to work), and the lost earning capacity from long-term physical disability are typically larger, and the damages claimed for pain, suffering, and future care are correspondingly higher than with regular car accidents. Differences in Insurance Georgia treats motorcycles as motor vehicles for purposes of liability insurance, and the statutory minimums are identical to those required for cars. Motorcycle policies, however, frequently don't include medical payments or personal injury protection endorsements that some automobile policies carry, so it's common for an injured rider to be more dependent on their own health insurance or on the at-fault driver's liability insurance. Those liability limits are often exhausted quickly because the injuries and bills are so much more costly. Differences in Fault Technically speaking, fault is assigned in these accidents under the same modified comparative-negligence statute that governs every motor-vehicle collision in the state. If you're 50% or more at fault, you can't claim anything. If you're less than 50% at fault, your final award is reduced by the same percentage as your degree of fault. In practice, however, this rule often ends up being more harshly applied to two-wheeled vehicle riders because insurance adjusters and jurors often have an assumption that motorcyclists are reckless and must have been speeding, weaving, or otherwise riding dangerously. Overcoming this requires more extensive evidence and the help of an experienced lawyer. Insurer Resistance Because claims are often so high in these accidents and because of the bias against motorcyclists, it's common for insurers to fight back hard in these cases. The insurance company will be very aware of the time limits involved and will likely seek to push them to the limit in the hopes that you will miss the filing deadline. You have two years after an accident to bring a lawsuit, and if you miss this window, you can't then bring a lawsuit, no matter how strong the evidence or serious your injuries. Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer If you've been injured in an accident, don't try to take on the insurance company on your own. Call Davis, Chapman, & Wilder in Augusta, GA at 706-200-1578 today to request a consultation.