Atlanta Divorce Law Group - September 2020

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - September 2020

CELEBRATING GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS A CLOSER LOOK AT GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS IN GEORGIA

September 2020

Sept. 13 is National Grandparents Day, and this month we’re celebrating the wonderful relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. At Atlanta Divorce Law Group, we know how important it is for children to have healthy relationships with their grandparents, even after their parents go through a divorce.

My paternal grandmother, who we called Nani, poured a lot of confidence in me. It was a different kind of love than I got from my parents. Nani saw me as her legacy. She made me feel very special, but she also made me feel like I had a big responsibility to carry myself in a way that reflected well on the rest of the family. Some people may see that as putting too much responsibility on a child, but it actually built a lot of self-confidence in me. Nani motivated me to imagine what I wanted to be when I grew up. I realized that the significance of your life goes beyond yourself. You are part of a legacy built by your parents and your grandparents. I know very well how important that relationship with your grandparents can be when you’re a child. Nani did so much for me and I cannot imagine my childhood without her. In Georgia, grandparents have certain rights that can help them maintain their relationship with their grandchildren after a divorce. When parents go through a divorce, they will ideally be able to work out a visitation plan that will allow the grandparents to see their grandchildren on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for one parent to refuse any sort of contact between the grandparents and the child after a divorce. If this happens, grandparents can see that visitation rights be granted by the court. In Georgia, the court will consider a few factors to determine if visitation should be granted. These factors include:

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Did the child reside with the grandparent for at least six months?

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Did the grandparent provide financial support for the child’s basic needs for at least one year?

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Is there an established pattern of regular visitation?

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Are there any circumstances that suggest emotional or physical harm could occur if visitation is not granted?

There are also circumstances in which grandparents could gain guardianship or legal custody of their grandchildren. This only happens if the parents are deemed unfit and if the court determines that granting the grandparents custody would be in the child’s best interests. Health and age of the grandparents, as well as their ability to meet the needs and wishes of the child, are considered when making such a decision. In our experience, while divorce can be a painful process, most parents will act with the best interests of their children at heart. It’s important for grandparents to respect the difficult time their adult child may be going through and respectfully communicate their concerns about visitation with both parents. More often than not, agreements can be made and your grandchildren will be happy to see you as often as they can. That said, it is possible that grandparents may find themselves dealing with combative or unreasonable demands due to a family divorce. When this happens, it is good to know that Georgia has laws to help protect that important relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.

“I know very well how important that relationship with your grandparents can be when you’re a child.”

–Sara Khaki

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Register Now for This Month’s Free Webinars NEW TO BEING A SINGLE PARENT? YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Considering Divorce? (ComplimentaryWebinar) When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Register by emailing: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup. com/seminars/considering-divorce/ Is it time to get a divorce? For some, the answer is obvious. For others, there are more factors to consider. Filing for divorce is not something to take lightly. There are tough decisions and financial concerns to address first. This month’s complimentary webinar will explore the complicated emotions that come when considering divorce, as well as how the divorce process works, and how to determine if divorce is the right option for you. We are dedicated to continuing to provide valuable information to our clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for these webinars today to gain this information from the comfort and safety of your home.

Our complimentary divorce support groups and seminars are going online! Register for these upcoming webinars to gain knowledge, resources, and emotional support that can help you feel empowered while you go through major life changes. Being a Single Parent (Virtual Support Group) When: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10–11 a.m. Register by emailing: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup. com/september-2020-support-group/ Being a single parent can be a difficult task. It’s a full-time job, and often single moms and dads feel like they have no one to support them. There are feelings of self-doubt, the stress of making big decisions alone, and the loneliness of missing the kids when they’re not around. This month, founder and CEO of Family Solutions Counseling, LLC, Kathleen Shack, is leading an online support group for single parents. Connect with other single parents and gain the tools to work through the challenges you’re facing.

3 FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR FALL GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS

It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. GET GARDENING. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area. PAN FOR GOLD. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/ panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard. PLAN A FALL PHOTO SHOOT. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.

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Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!

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IS STRESS HARMING YOUR MEMORY? HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS

Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health.

overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental

health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.

Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling

Concierge Partner’s Corner

HERE’S WHAT OUR Clients Are Saying!

Finance and law happen to be some of the most complicated fields to get involved in, and when you combine the two into a legal case, it can be paralyzing for clients. Is a new relationship threatening your alimony? Or maybe you suspect that someone has been committing fraud in your business? As complicated as these cases are, luckily we have amazing partners that specialize in just these fields. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an expert better than Marty Varon. He manages and directs IAG Forensics & Valuation

“I cannot say enough good things about this law firm. I met with them two years ago, just to talk, and they gave me some guidance at no cost. When I was ready to file for divorce, the process was easy. They held my hand, emotionally, the entire way. They really care about their clients and work hard for them. Thank you to all of them. I am grateful!”

and leads and/or assists in cases involving family law and business litigation matters. He previously owned and ran Alternative Resolution Methods, Inc. for 20 years, where he specialized in tax and valuation services and also family law and business litigation support. In the evenings, Marty is a professor of accounting, business law and valuations of closely held businesses at Kennesaw State University. He’s received an Outstanding Part-Time Teaching Award from the Coles College of Business at KSU. Looking for help on your family law or business legal case? Contact Marty at [email protected] and let him know we sent you — we’re confident you’ll be in the right hands.

— Alane A.

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3 Great Apps to Maintain Your Mental Health at Home

When you lead a busy lifestyle, mental health often takes a back seat to other pressing matters. Thankfully, there are a number of easy-to- use apps to help address this concern. Even if you’re pressed for time, these apps can help you maintain your mental health. And if you’re just looking for some simple resources to guide you through mood-boosting exercises, they’ve got you covered there too. MOODFIT (GETMOODFIT.COM) Think of this app as a fitness tracker for your mind. The mood tracker allows you to record your moods and thoughts and follow trends and changes over time. You can look at these trends yourself or set the app to monitor specific areas of your mood. This highly customizable app is packed with tools and resources to help you with your mental health. In addition to the mood tracker, Moodfit offers a range of breathing exercises and a guide to mindfulness meditation. MOODMISSION (MOODMISSION.COM) If you’re struggling with mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, you may feel like this free, evidence-based app was designed just for you.

MoodMission asks you a series of questions to assess how you’re feeling, then suggests a series of “missions” you can complete to help you get into a better state of mind. Missions are short, achievable tasks, like taking a walk around the block or cleaning up a room in your home. Of course, like all the apps listed here, it is not a replacement for professional mental health care, but it offers evidence-based exercises and a level of support that’s not often found in smartphone apps. TALKSPACE (TALKSPACE.COM) While this app contains a number of mental health tools, its primary purpose is to connect you quickly with one of the company’s thousands of licensed and experienced therapists who you can message with on a regular basis. Unlike traditional therapy where you schedule an appointment and meet in person, Talkspace allows its user to communicate with their therapist as issues arise through the app’s encrypted messaging system. It also allows you to request a check-in from your therapist and provides a place for them to upload your therapy notes. Talkspace is more costly than some other apps, but depending on your specific needs, it may be worth it.

THIS LABOR DAY, CELEBRATE OUR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September, commemorates the labor movement of the 19th century. The movement, spearheaded by the American working class, led to safer working conditions, eight-hour workdays, weekends, and other workers’ rights we enjoy today. Workers in the United States have

helped move our country forward since the very beginning. This Labor Day, let’s pay our respects to the workers who have kept our country running during the COVID-19 pandemic.

place orders, requiring people to stay home in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, not everyone could stay out of harm’s way. Essential workers were still out doing their jobs to help the country keep moving even as everything shut down. Medical professionals and first responders addressed public health and safety, transportation and delivery drivers kept supply lines moving, and individuals in the food industry, both restaurants and grocery stores, kept the public fed. Every essential worker was truly essential to helping us all get through this difficult, uncertain time. Though we won’t see the parades, picnics, and celebrations that usually come on Labor Day, we should still make a point to celebrate. Labor Day is more important than ever. This year was a reminder that working class jobs are still the foundation of this country. Were it not for our essential workers, we would have faced many more challenges while weathering the pandemic. Our essential workers deserve more than a simple thank you. They have embodied the strength and determination we celebrate on Labor Day.

Through the spring and summer of 2020, many states across the country issued shelter-in-

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