The Goolsby Law Firm Brag Board

[The Goolsby Law Firm, 233 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA]

Recently, I included a post in which I bragged about my second son Blake's passing the Georgia bar exam and joining our Augusta, Georgia family law firm. Today, I hope you don't mind that, as a proud father, I once again want to brag a little bit--this time about my third son, Zachary. Zach is home for Christmas break and has now passed the midway point of law school! 

In other words, Zach has three semesters down and only three more semesters to go until graduation! Then, I believe we will be the only law firm in the history of the State of Georgia composed of a parent and three children--practicing law together--who are attorneys!

As Augusta, GA lawyers, we primarily handle divorces, child custody cases, adoptions, personal injury cases, and criminal cases, in both state and federal court. I believe I am the only former twenty year federal prosecutor in the Augusta and Evans, Georgia area. I have handled some of the largest, most complex fraud and public corruption cases in Georgia and U.S. history.

My first two lawyer sons, Richard (Ric) Goolsby, Jr. and Blake Goolsby, with whom I presently practice law in Augusta, both graduated from Mercer Law School. My third son, Zach Goolsby, presently attends the University of Georgia School of Law, which is where I also graduated. He and I will be the two "Double Dawgs" in our family law firm!

So, thank you for understanding and allowing me--a proud father--to brag once again! 

Congrats, Zach! We are very proud of you and look forward to your joining us at The Goolsby Law Firm! 

Celebrity Separations and Divorces: Lisa Whelchel

[The Facts of Life Image from wikipedia]

How many of you are fans of the original reality television series Survivor? Did you see last night's episode which featured family visits for cast members? If so, you saw the emotional turmoil on the face of cast member Lisa Whelchel when she ran to her visiting brother's arms! Of course, many of you will remember her from the 1980's television series, The Facts of Life, in which she played Blair.

Not only has the Survivor experience been difficult for Ms. Whelchel, but also it apparently has otherwise been a tough year for her, too. According to various news reports, she is presently dealing with West Nile Virus. In addition, according to reports, Ms. Whelchel, a singer, song-writer, and speaker at Women of Faith Christian conferences, also got a divorce earlier this year.

We still do not know whether she won or how she did on Survivor, but here's hoping that Ms. Whelchel will overcome her illness and deal with any problems associated with her divorce. She seems like a genuinely kind, gentle person. As she has clearly learned, like on Survivor, real life can be tough, too. Sicknesses and divorces can happen to anybody. And those are the real facts of life which we all must face, aren't they?  

Celebrity Breakups and Divorces: Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher

[Photo of Demi Moore from wikipedia]

As Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers, we are often asked: how long does it take to get a divorce?  Well, the answer is: it depends! In other words, there are a lot of factors which can affect how long it takes for a divorce to become final.

For example, have you followed any of the news reports about the separation of actors Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher? According to various news reports, the celebrity couple separated over a year ago and yet, reportedly, their divorce has never been finalized.

Even in a typical Georgia divorce, there are a number of factors, such as whether it is a contested or uncontested divorce, or whether or not the couple is fighting over child custody, which can determine how long the court proceedings can take.

A simple, uncontested divorce can be completed in as little as a couple of months. However, some tough, contested divorces can take a year or longer to complete!

We recommend that you discuss this question, along with all your rights and options, with your own divorce attorney. Hopefully, your divorce won't take as long to complete as some celebrity breakups!

Celebrity Separations and Divorces: Danica Patrick

[Photo of Danica Patrick from wikipedia]

Are you a NASCAR fan? Have you heard the news? According to various news reports, popular NASCAR driver, model, and advertising guru Danica Patrick has announced her plans for divorce from her husband of seven years, Paul Hospathal.

As an Augusta, GA divorce lawyer, I have seen a little bit of everything. But I haven't before seen a divorcing party announce his or her divorce via Facebook, which is how Ms. Patrick informed her fans about this news. Here's hoping that these divorcing parties find peace and happiness, on the track and off.

Uncontested Divorce in Augusta, GA: What It Really Means and Costs!

As Augusta, GA divorce attorneys, we get telephone calls and email inquiries every day about the cost or price of an uncontested divorce in Georgia. We gladly offer free consultations with folks who need information about both uncontested and contested divorces.

Maybe it is time for a quick recap about the difference between an uncontested divorce and a contested divorce. In short, generally, an uncontested divorce, (from our perspective as Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers), means that your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," will not only agree to all your terms, (and those terms must be in accordance with what our judges will readily approve), but also that he will fully cooperate and promptly sign all the divorce documents which we will prepare for you.

In short, if Sluggo will fully cooperate and promptly sign everything we prepare, then we can try to help you obtain a much more affordable, simple uncontested divorce for as little as $500, plus costs.

However, if Sluggo refuses, for whatever reasons, to fully cooperate and promptly sign all the documents, then, by our definition, it is a contested divorce, which can easily cost several thousands of dollars, (at a minimum). 

So, I trust that you can see that an uncontested divorce does not simply mean that your spouse does not contest getting a divorce. It means more. It means, at a minimum, that he will also fully cooperate and promptly sign all the divorce documents.

Of course, every divorce is different. Some divorces involve alimony, child custody or child support issues, and other divorces do not. So, it is important that you discuss your own divorce situation with your own divorce lawyer! Then, if you choose, you can go ahead and "make Sluggo's day!"

The Goolsby Law Firm Brag Board!

[Photo of The Goolsby Law Firm, 233 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA]

Please allow me to brag a little bit today. My second son, Blake Goolsby, has successfully passed the Georgia Bar exam and has now been sworn in as a licensed Georgia attorney! Blake has now joined his brother, Richard H. Goolsby, Jr., and me, (his father, Richard H. Goolsby, Sr.), in our family law practice, here, in Augusta, GA. We will continue to handle Augusta area divorce cases, personal injury cases, criminal law cases, and other general litigation -- but now, our family of lawyers is just a little bit bigger!

Now, I hope you can understand why I am so happy today!

Celebrity Separations and Divorces: Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts

[Photo of Anna Trebunskaya from wikipedia]

Have you heard the sad news about yet another celebrity marriage reportedly biting the dust? This time, according to various news reports, the split is occurring between Dancing with the Stars professional dancers Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts. The couple is reportedly divorcing after a nine year marriage.

While no one knows, or needs to know, what happened here, we have discussed many times before in this divorce blog about the unique stressors which can break up Hollywood marriages. Here's hoping that Trebunskaya and Roberts can each find happiness in the future.