CELEBRITY DIVORCES: ZAC BROWN AND SHELLEY BROWN

[Photo of Zac Brown Band from wikipedia]

    Did you hear the news that country music singer Zac Brown and his wife Shelley, have reportedly told People Magazine that they are splitting up?  Zac, of course, is part of the Zac Brown Band, which has produced such hits as "Chicken Fried" and "Free."

    According to news reports, the couple, (parents of five  children), has issued a joint statement announcing the amicable divorce.

    Here's hoping that both parties will continue to get along, as they continue to parent together their five children.  As Augusta Georgia divorce lawyers, we understand how difficult divorces can be, especially where children and child custody are involved.

    

Communication with your Divorce Lawyer

[Photo of the Goolsby Law Firm Lawyers]

     Today, I want to talk with you a little bit about the importance of communication with your divorce attorney.  In short, you should tell your lawyer everything that is important about your divorce case, even if you are afraid it might be unfavorable. Trust your divorce lawyer! It is better for your lawyer to learn about a potential problem in his or her conference room than later at a divorce hearing!

     In addition, it is also important to consider how and when to communicate with your divorce attorney.  In other words, time is money, so, you usually don't want to call your divorce attorney about unimportant things which will just waste your money and your lawyer's time. Of course, if something is important, please call your lawyer.  Otherwise, you might also want to consider sending your divorce lawyer an email which summarizes whatever information you want to share, especially when an immediate response may be unnecessary.

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: CHRIS PRATT

[Chris Pratt photo from wikipedia]

We are the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, father and son divorce lawyers located in Augusta, Georgia.  We blog about common issues in Georgia divorces and sometimes also discuss celebrity divorces.

Earlier this year, we wrote about the split between actors Chris Pratt and Anna Faris.  Now, it appears
that both actors have moved on.  For instance, various news reports indicate that Mr. Pratt is now spending time with Katherine Schwarzenegger.  Celebrities are no different from anyone else. Following a divorce, celebrities must go on with their lives, just like everybody else!

What is your favorite Chris Pratt role? Guardians of the Galaxy? Jurassic World? Parks and Recreation?

DIVORCE AFTER FIFTY: FACTORS TO CONSIDER

[Courthouse photograph from wikipedia]

As Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers, we at the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC see divorcing couples at all ages and stages of life.  Have you considered the special issues which confront divorcing couples who are over fifty years old?

Today, I want to discuss just one such issue: potential loss of friendships.  Put more simply, when you get a divorce after fifty, you may face a special challenge in that you may lose some friends who were friends of both of you while you were married.  Those friends may find it difficult to choose between the two of you. Also, many activities work better between couples rather than between a couple and an individual.

But there may be a positive outcome, too.  I suppose you will at least learn who your true friends are! What do you think? 

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: CHANNING TATUM

[Photo of Channing Tatum from wikipedia]

According to various news reports, including People Magazine, Channing Tatum and his wife, Jenna Dewan, are still spending family time together with their four year old daughter.

The couple had previously announced an amicable split back on April 2, 2018.

Here's hoping that the two parents continue on this admirable path of spending quality time together for the sake of their child!

COMMON DIVORCE ISSUES TO CONSIDER

[Courthouse photo from wikipedia]

Let's assume you have decided to get a divorce in Augusta, Georgia, here are just some of the common issues for you to consider:

• Make a list of property items which you would want to take with you;
• Make a list of all your and your spouse's debts;
• Make a budget of estimated household expenses; and
• Find a good divorce lawyer.

As for the last item on the list, we at the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, would suggest that you talk with family and friends for recommendations about good divorce attorneys in your area. We also always recommend that you should make an appointment and actually sit down to discuss your case with a prospective divorce lawyer before you retain them to handle your divorce case.

We at the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC also offer free initial consultations and will try to answer your questions about your Georgia divorce.

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: ANNA FARIS SELLING HOUSE

[Photo of Anna Faris from wikipedia]

This is a divorce-related blog written by the divorce attorneys of the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, located in Augusta, Georgia. We offer practical information and tips for divorcing parties to discuss with their own divorce lawyers.

We also sometimes discuss some of the issues which arise in celebrity divorces. For example, we have already discussed the recent divorce between actors Chris Pratt and Anna Faris.

Today, various news outlets have also reported that Ms. Faris is now selling a house she owns in the Hollywood Hills for $2.5 million. Celebrities, like others going through a divorce, often must deal with both splitting and disposing of both real and personal property. In other words, equitable property divisions are a common issue in Georgia divorces.

We don't know the facts and circumstances surrounding Ms. Faris' property sale. But we do know that property division is an important matter for you to discuss with your own divorce attorney.

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: ACTOR JIM BELUSHI

[Photo from wikipedia]

According to TMZ.com and other news reports, Jennifer Sloan, the wife of actor Jim Belushi, has filed for divorce after a marriage which lasted nearly 20 years. The couple reportedly has two teenage children.

Belushi is best known for his stint on Saturday Night Live and his role in the sitcom, "According to Jim," which aired from 2001 to 2009.  Of course, Jim is also remembered as the younger brother

of the late comic, John Belushi.

Here's hoping that Mr. Belushi and Ms. Sloan will find peace and happiness following their divorce.

PARENTING CLASSES IN AUGUSTA DIVORCES

[Photo from wikipedia]

As Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers, we are often asked by divorcing parties
about the available options when taking the parenting seminar which our Augusta
Judicial Circuit judges require in divorce cases. The Augusta, GA bar association
website has a complete listing of the approved places where you can complete this
requirement.

One important point to remember is that, generally, you may NOT simply take an online

parenting class to meet this requirement in Augusta!

The other important point is that you should discuss this and all other divorce-related
questions with your own Augusta divorce attorney!

DIVORCE V. SEPARATE MAINTENANCE

[Photo from wikipedia]

Sometimes, our divorce attorneys at the Goolsby Law Firm receive inquiries from people who

seek information about separate maintenance actions, as opposed to getting a divorce. The State of Georgia does allow its citizens to consider both options.  And there are many pros and cons which

a person should sit down and discuss with his or her divorce or family law attorney.

For example, since you would lose your spouse's work insurance plan if you get a divorce, in some

situations, you might choose instead to seek the separate maintenance alternative, so that you insurance is not cut off, especially if you have a serious illness.

On the other hand, having to pay for both a separate maintenance action AND, subsequently, a divorce would be too costly for many people.

Again, the important point is that if you plan to kick "Sluggo" to the curb, you should first sit down with your own divorce lawyer to discuss the pros and cons of each alternative!

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ONLINE DIVORCE KITS: POTENTIAL PITFALLS AND PROBLEMS

Everyone going through a divorce wants to get a divorce at the least possible cost. In short, most people want a cheap, uncontested divorce. And some people resort to the lure of cheap online divorce kits in their effort to achieve a "do it yourself" divorce!  

As Augusta, Georgia divorce attorneys, we can attest that retaining your own divorce lawyer is usually the best course to follow, especially if you have children or significant financial issues to consider. For example, if divorcing parties fail to hire a divorce attorney, judges will usually require you to take off time from work to attend a court hearing. In addition, the "do it yourself" kits sometimes fail to give you important information, such as details about required parenting seminars.

But you can have your cake and eat it, too, if you call the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, in Augusta, GA!

We handle simple, uncontested divorces at affordable rates and even offer payment plans to help you

get a divorce! We are also there to help you in the event your divorce goes contested.

Please call us at the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC, (706) 863-5281, for a free initial consultation.

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: JENNIFER ANISTON

[Photo from wikipedia]

Have you heard the sad news? America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston, has reportedly announced her split from husband Justin Theroux.  The couple, which has been married for less than three years, jointly announced their split yesterday.

Ms. Aniston is well known for her incredible charitable work, including her support of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

I love how the couple, in making their joint announcement, pointed out that it was THEIR decision to make the announcement and that the public should ignore other media reports!

Here's hoping that America's sweetheart and her soon-to-be-ex will each find happiness again after their divorce.

CELEBRITY DIVORCES: TAREK AND CHRISTINA EL MOUSSA

[By Source (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51191556]

According to Fox News, HGTV's Flip or Flop star, Tarek El Moussa, indicates that fame made his recent divorce from co-star Christina El Moussa a lot more complicated. The couple, who have two children, divorced last year, but they have continued working together on their popular HGTV series, which deals with house renovations or "flipping."

No doubt, El Moussa is correct in his assessment. All divorces can be tough, but just imagine how difficult it must be to go through a divorce while in the public spotlight.  According to El Moussa, they had to deal with things like "fake news" and reporting on all the difficulties they each confronted.

Here's hoping that both Tarek and Christina will find peace and happiness!  Their t.v. show is one of many good reasons to watch HGTV, in my opinion!

CHILD CUSTODY IN GEORGIA DIVORCES

[Photo from wikipedia]

Child custody is often one of the toughest issues in a Georgia divorce. We, at the Goolsby Law Firm, in Augusta, Georgia, often handle child custody as part of our divorce cases.  We also sometimes assist clients in seeking a modification, or change, of custody.

Generally, the standard which a Georgia judge will utilize is the "best interests" test. In other words, the judge will determine what is in the best interests of the children based upon all the facts. Sometimes, judges will appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate and report back to the court.

In addition, if your child has reached the age of 14 years old, that child may select which parent to primarily live with, subject to the judge's review.

We recommend that you sit down with your Augusta divorce attorney to discuss these and other issues in your divorce case.

NEW ILLINOIS LAW REGARDING PET "CUSTODY"

                         [Photo courtesy of Wikipedia]

Would you believe that, starting January 1st, the State of Illinois joined other states which allow

divorcing parties to be granted "custody" of their pets?!  Presumably, just like with child custody,

each party to a divorce will, in those states, try to convince the judge that he or she would make 

the better custodial "parent!"

We at the Goolsby Law Firm have not yet experienced such an issue in our Augusta, Georgia divorces!

Would you try to win sole possession of your pet?!

DIVORCING PARENTS SEMINARS IN AUGUSTA, GA

In Augusta, Georgia, our Superior Court judges require all parents seeking a divorce involving children to take a one day seminar dealing primarily with issues affecting their kids.

Here is a list of such places which offer this seminar, as shown on the Augusta, GA Bar Association
website:

• Anne Watts, MS, LPC, 706-855-1365at www.divorcingfamilies.net;
• Army Community Service: Transparenting Class for military only: 706-791-3579
• Georgia Family Crisis Solutions, Inc., 706-869-7373;
• kidsrestart.org, 706-828-0180; and
• Life Management Group, 706-733-0333.

Your divorce attorney will give you more information about this requirement when you meet with him or her.  It is important for you to know that our judges, in Augusta, do not allow other online seminars to satisfy this requirement. You and your spouse will need to schedule and take the class, either together or separately, and please be sure to promptly turn over your certificate of completion to your divorce lawyer!