Husband Faces Hacking Charges For Checking Wife's Email!

Have you heard the news?  Various news outlets have reported that a Michigan man faces felony anti-hacking charges because he checked his wife's email on a family computer!  The emails reportedly revealed that she had been having an affair.  What is your opinion about a prosecutor bringing criminal charges in this divorce context?

As divorce attorneys in Augusta, Georgia, we have warned you before about this very possibility.  You must be careful about how you attempt to prove adultery.  In other words, even if you suspect your spouse of committing adultery, we have always recommended that you should carefully discuss with your own divorce lawyer the proper ways to obtain the evidence of infidelity.  More simply put, as any attorney will tell you, you should always use legitimate means to prove your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," is cheating, because he isn't worth going to jail over!

Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not the Michigan man violated any anti-hacking laws or did anything wrong.  His criminal defense attorney reportedly maintains that his client had legitimately accessed a family computer.  His criminal lawyer also has reportedly raised a good question:  Don't Michigan prosecutors have better things to do than to bring criminal charges like this one in this divorce case!?

What do you think?

Celebrity Divorces: Kelsey Grammer, Camille Grammer and Lessons about Prenups!

What is your opinion about prenuptial agreements, also known as "prenups?"  Would you require your sweetheart to sign one, as a pre-condition of marriage, or would you be afraid it would zap the romance in your relationship?

Well, I'll bet that popular actor Kelsey Grammer, of Cheers and Frasier fame, wishes that he had been more diligent about getting his soon-to-be ex-wife, Camille, to sign one, prior to their 13 year marriage, (which is still being litigated in divorce court).  Various news reports indicate that the Grammers did not have a prenup and that, as a result, she stands to share, 50-50, marital assets worth over $100 million!  Of course, in fairness to her, news reports further indicate that she deserves credit for helping the couple to make good investments of his money from his successful t.v. shows.

News reports also indicate that Kelsey Grammer may have his divorce attorneys ask the judge in his divorce case to go ahead and grant a divorce, even if the financial issues have not yet been resolved.  Reportedly, he wants to go ahead and get married to his new girl friend on New Years Day!

Do you suppose Mr. Grammer has raised the issue of a prenup with his new fiance?  What do you think his current divorce attorneys would tell him to do?  What would you do!?

Merry Christmas From The Goolsby Law Firm!

Merry Christmas!

Top Google Searches Leading to This Blog on Georgia Divorce Law

I enjoy being a divorce lawyer with my son and handling divorces in Augusta, Georgia.  (Perhaps "enjoy" isn't the right word for it, but the opportunity to practice law with my sons is priceless!) I also enjoy producing this divorce blog in which, among other things, we attempt to provide some practical tips and information about getting a divorce in Georgia.

In addition, I enjoy blogging about celebrity divorces and about what it is like to be a divorce attorney.  I have been amazed, like most bloggers, as to how folks find this site!  Can you guess which key word search leads to the most hits on this site?  Drum roll, please.................The answer is...............................  

1.  How To Prove Adultery in Georgia:  This remains the most popular key word search terms which lead to this divorce blog.  Do you suppose most of the searchers are the victims of the infidelity or cheating?  Or do you reckon they are the cuckolds or cheaters?  In any event, we attempt to provide practical information on how to prove adultery for all parties to discuss with their own divorce attorneys.

Thank you for visiting this blog, no matter what you are looking for!  In the new year, I look forward to sharing with you more divorce information for you to share with your own divorce attorney!  And if your favorite celebrity gets a divorce in 2011, I look forward to sharing information with you about that, too!

Celebrity Divorces: More About Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds

Look, I promise you that this divorce blog is not going to evolve into a Hollywood gossip rag!  We are simply divorce attorneys in Augusta, Georgia who generally focus on Georgia divorce law.  We offer some practical tips and information about Georgia divorce law for you to discuss with your own divorce lawyer.  (Of course, because each divorce is different, and because laws vary from place to place, no one should ever rely on any divorce blog for advice, but should instead consult with his or her own divorce attorney).  

But I do acknowledge that we also sometimes try to make this blog more interesting by covering some Hollywood divorces.  And frankly, a lot of lessons can be learned by looking at issues which often arise in celebrity divorces.

For example, in the last post, we talked about the divorce between two fine actors, Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson.  But did you also hear that, this week, the two have been seen dining together at a New York restaurant, shortly after their divorce was made public?  The two actors have announced that even though their busy schedules made it difficult for their marriage to work, they intend to remain good friends.

Isn't that laudable?  Isn't it possible for divorcing parties to remain friends?  What do you think?

Celebrity Divorces: Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds

Christmas time is not always a happy time for everyone, is it?  Sadly, it appears that another Hollywood marriage has bitten the dust!  This time, the divorce bug has apparently bitten award-winning actress and singer, Scarlett Johansson, and actor Ryan Reynolds.  The couple had been married for just two years.  They issued a joint statement earlier this week announcing their breakup.  Reynolds was named this year's "Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine.  And both actors are quite busy with their acting careers.

Here's hoping that both of these fine actors find happiness and recover quickly from the divorce. 

Happy News for The Goolsby Law Firm!

Today is a happy day for us at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC!  As many of you know, The Goolsby Law Firm is presently composed of father and son attorneys, (Richard Goolsby, Sr. and Richard Goolsby, Jr.), who enjoy practicing family law, criminal law, and handling other legal matters in Augusta, Georgia, (including Richmond and Columbia County).  The primary author of this blog is the dad, Richard Goolsby, Sr.  I am a former federal prosecutor who has handled some of the largest, most complex criminal cases in Georgia history.

Our good news includes the fact that my second son has just completed the half-way point of law school!  In other words, he will complete law school in only three more semesters!

But there's more good news!  My third son, currently a senior at the University of Georgia, has just been accepted for admission to law school next fall by both of his top choices!

So, don't you see, in just a few years, we may very well be the only law firm in this state composed of a father and three sons!  Now, you know why I am so happy and proud!  The Goolsby Law Firm is truly a family law firm!

Divorce: Should You Return to Your Maiden Name?

"What's in a name?  That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."    -- Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

No one can question that Shakespeare had a way with words.  But don't you agree that the Bard may have gotten it wrong with this famous quote about the insignificance of names?  After all, Shakespeare was never married to your worthless spouse, "Sluggo!"

The "question of the day" is, when you get a divorce, should you stick with your married name, or go back to your previous, maiden name?  This is an important question which you should discuss with your divorce attorney, prior to filing for divorce.

In the State of Georgia, a woman may have her divorce lawyer include a request in her pleadings to have her maiden name restored, at no extra cost.  But if she waits until after the divorce is final to consider this matter, then she will likely have to pay an attorney extra to have her name changed.

Most women who have children elect not to go back to their maiden names.  They choose to avoid any possible confusion for their children if their names are different.  Some women also simply don't want to have to contact Social Security, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and other government agencies, to inform them of a name change.

But other women choose differently.  Perhaps they are sick and tired of being known as "Mrs. Sluggo" and cannot wait to have their maiden names restored!  For them, "Mrs. Sluggo" is like a rose with too many thorns to remember!

The important point is that the decision is yours!  No matter what you decide, we at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC recommend that you should be sure to promptly discuss this issue with your own divorce attorney.

Divorce and Happiness

Generally, in this blog written by divorce lawyers in Augusta, Georgia, we offer you some practical tips and information about Georgia divorce law for you to discuss with your own divorce attorney.  (We also discuss issues which frequently arise in celebrity divorces).
Look, we are just divorce attorneys.  We are not counsellors or psychologists.  But today, I want to ask YOU, the reader, for some helpful tips about the following question!  Here goes: What are your tips or ideas about how someone who has just gone through a divorce can find happiness again?  Here, I'll try to get this discussion started with a few tips of my own:
1.  SEEK SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS:  While no one else can take away all your troubles, or truly make you happy, close friends and family members can help support and encourage you following a divorce.  Have your best friend throw you a "divorce party!"
2.  TAKE UP A NEW HOBBY:  Maybe now is also a good time to throw yourself into ballroom dancing, crafting, blogging, or even spelunking!  Hobbies will also make you get you out and circulate in the community!
3.  TRY DIETING AND EXERCISE:  Even if watching what you eat and getting exercise fail to make you "happy," maybe at least you will feel better about yourself in your new life following a divorce.  

So, those are some of my ideas for finding happiness after a divorce!  What are your ideas?  Hopefully, you will also reach out and help someone you know who has just gone through a stressful divorce!

Divorce and How To Find A Good Divorce Attorney

So, you have finally decided to get a divorce from your worthless spouse, "Sluggo."  But do you know the best way to find a good divorce lawyer?  As you may already know, we, at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, are an Augusta, Georgia father and son family law practice which offers a free initial consultation.  We therefore recommend that you should check the ads or internet and ask your family and friends for recommendations about good, experienced divorce attorneys and then you should simply call the prospective divorce lawyer to discuss your case.  But please be aware that, while we, at The Goolsby Law Firm, may offer a free initial consultation, many divorce attorneys will charge you, up to $250.00, before they will agree to take your divorce case.

But make an appointment and pay for such a consultation, if you must, because the main point of this post is that it is imperative that you actually meet with the divorce lawyer who you are considering, before you retain him or her.  Only after meeting with the divorce attorney, and getting some answers to your questions, can you effectively decide whether or not this lawyer is the best divorce lawyer for you and your divorce case!  And it's not just good, "legal" answers to your questions that you should be looking for!  You should also be "eyeballing" them and evaluating whether or not the divorce attorney seems focused and compassionate about you and your case. 

These are just a few practical tips to help you find the best divorce attorney for your divorce case.  We can all hope that good ole Sluggo isn't so careful in making his selection of a divorce lawyer, can't we!?