Happy Mother's Day From The Goolsby Law Firm

[Mother's Day Depiction from connect-in.com]

"A Mother's Day Memory"

          By Richard Goolsby

Oh, to think of Mother's hug,
Evokes a sentimental tear!
My heart strings pull and tug,
As Mother's Day draws near!

When I was young and ill,
She would rock me through the night.
That old rocker squeaked and squealed,
But still, she held me tight.

I can feel her arms around me,
As she held me late one night.
I can feel her love surround me,
Mother's love makes most things right.

I can see her -- just above me,
I can hear her voice, so clear,
And the words to "Jesus Loves Me,"
From her lips down to my ear.

Yes, it's true -- my mother's gone,
But it's also true, you see,
My mother still lives on,
In my heart and memory!

Happy Mother's Day to all moms "out there!"

Celebrity Divorces: Danica Patrick

[Photo of Danica Patrick from wikipedia]

Well, all you NASCAR fans, it is official! Give her the checkered flag! Yes, the divorce of NASCAR driver Danica Patrick is reportedly final, according to various news sources. You may recall that, earlier, Ms. Patrick had selected an unusual way to inform her fans about her split-up. She did it via Facebook!

Here's hoping that Ms. Patrick and her new beau, reportedly NASCAR racer Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., find happiness while chasing each other around the track!

Celebrity Divorces, Porsha Stewart, and How People Learn About Divorce

[Real Housewives of Atlanta Photo from wikipedia]

How do most people learn that their spouses have filed for a divorce? In most divorce cases, it is fairly simple and straightforward. In other words, in most divorces, the parties tell each other in no uncertain terms about their decisions and all the reasons for it!

But did you hear about how Real Housewives of Atlanta reality t.v. star Porsha Stewart, (shown on the right above), reportedly learned that her husband, former pro quarterback Cordell Stewart had filed for a divorce from her? According to various news reports, Ms. Stewart first learned about it on twitter!!

Every divorce case, whether it involves celebrities or not, is unique. And you should always discuss the facts of your divorce with your own divorce lawyer. But this case certainly involves one of the most unique ways to inform one's spouse about the filing of a divorce! What do you think?

Which Month is "Divorce Month?"

Which month of the year would you guess is the month during which the most divorces are filed? As an Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyer, I wondered why, so I did a little investigative work to learn the answer! Here is what I discovered!

According to some sources, January is the month during which more divorces are filed than any other month. For instance, according to the Huffington Post, some divorce attorneys actually take off the last two weeks of the year to rest up for the added work after the new year begins! 

But according to another source, findlaw, March, not January, is the most "popular" month of the year for couples to file for divorce. This source indicates that, while divorce filings start picking up in January, they reach their peak in March.

Look, as an Augusta, GA divorce lawyer, I believe that March is the correct answer. And here's why. While many couples do try to stay together during the holidays, for the sake of the kids, telephone calls to us, at the Goolsby Law Firm, do start picking up in January, after the holidays are behind. 

But I also believe that more people, at least in this part of Georgia, wait until they get their income tax refunds before they seek a divorce lawyer's help in filing for divorce. So, that is why I agree with findlaw that March is the correct answer as to the busiest month of the year for filing divorces.

But that doesn't mean that plenty of people don't wait and file for divorce in all the remaining months of the year, too. What do you think?

Equitable Division of Marital Property: Tycoon Style

[Photo of Oil Tycoon Harold Hamm from wikipedia]

According to various news reports, oil tycoon Harold Hamm, one of the wealthiest people in the United States, with over $11 billion in Continental Resources oil company stock, may face an equitable division of his wealth, and potential loss of control of his company, following reports that his wife of 25 years, Sue Ann Hamm, has filed for divorce.

As any reader of this divorce blog knows, in the State of Georgia, judges will generally make an equitable division of all marital property. And "equitable" does not always mean equal. In short, in some divorce cases we have seen, (as Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers), if fault grounds, such as adultery, are proven, then one party may end up with more than one-half of the marital property.

Of course, no one knows the facts or what may happen in the Hamm divorce. But no matter how you slice it, Mr. Hamm will still be left with a sizable estate.

Celebrity Separations and Divorces: Jillian Barberie Reynolds and Grant Reynolds

[Photo of Jillian Barberie Reynolds from wikipedia]

When most folks get divorced, there is little or no fanfare and no public statements issued by publicists. But it is generally not the same for celebrities.

According to various news reports, a representative for actress and t.v. host Jillian Barberie Reynolds announced this week that Ms. Reynolds was divorcing her husband of six years, actor Grant Reynolds. The celebrity couple reportedly has two children.

No matter how a divorce may be announced, here's hoping that this couple, and anyone else going through a divorce, finds peace and happiness in their new lives.

Here's also hoping that if you have any questions about your own divorce from your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," (a celebrity in his own mind), you will avoid public statements, but you will find a good, experienced divorce lawyer near you.

Divorce, Stalking and Protective Orders

[Lady Justice depiction from ehow.com]

As Augusta, Georgia divorce attorneys, we sometimes receive questions about the availability of domestic violence protective orders, (or restraining orders), in Georgia. Generally, there are several ways to get help if your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," gets out of hand.

First and foremost, please call law enforcement if you are afraid for your life, or if a crime in being committed.

In addition, you can discuss with your divorce lawyer whether or not to seek a domestic violence protective order, especially if there has been a history of abuse. While obtaining such an order may add an extra step or two to your divorce, your divorce attorney will be able to help you get the protection you deserve. 

Also, your divorce lawyer may recommend simply relying upon the protection contained in the automatic domestic standing order, which is generally issued by a judge in every contested divorce case in Georgia. This order contains language which expressly forbids domestic violence, (and would therefore support a contempt motion if Sluggo gets out of hand, even if you elect not to go the extra step of seeking a separate protective order).

Finally, you might also consider seeking help from a family violence shelter near you. Here, in Augusta, Georgia, we are fortunate to have the Augusta Shelter which helps abused women every day.

I hope this general information about family violence helps! Again, please discuss all such issues about divorce with your own divorce lawyer!