In recent years, Georgia’s family law has seen a major shift when it comes to the rights of non-biological parents. The introduction of the Equitable Caregiver statute in 2019 gave certain non-parents—often stepparents, relatives, or long-term partners—the ability to seek custody or visitation if they’ve formed a significant bond with a child.

In Georgia, the termination of parental rights is one of the most serious actions a court can take in family law. It permanently severs the legal relationship between a parent and a child, eliminating both rights and responsibilities.

After a divorce, the final child custody arrangement outlined in the court order may not always remain appropriate as circumstances change. Life events such as relocation, remarriage, changes in employment, or shifts in a child’s needs can significantly affect how custody arrangements function.

Spousal support is often one of the most significant financial aspects of a divorce. Whether awarded temporarily during the divorce process or as part of a final divorce decree, spousal support in Georgia can have long-term effects on both parties’ financial situations. Life, however, doesn’t remain static.

John W Rife at Rife Law Firm PC in Forsyth County, Georgia, often fields questions from grandparents seeking to secure custody or visitation rights with their grandchildren.

Ending a marriage is a deeply personal decision, but it’s also a legal one with specific steps that unfold within the Georgia court system. While each divorce has unique facts and emotions behind it, there are consistent legal stages every case follows. The process can take a few months or longer, depending on the issues involved.

When a court issues a child custody or support order, both parents are legally bound to follow its terms. Unfortunately, not all parents do. In Georgia, violations of these orders are taken seriously. Whether one parent denies court-ordered visitation or refuses to pay child support, the other parent isn’t without legal recourse.