Child Support • Child Custody • Property Division • Spousal Support

As much as we'd like to think that once we have a court order, our legal issue is resolved, often it is not. There can be any number of reasons why a person might need to take a case back to court to seek a modification, or to seek enforcement of an original court order.

For some circumstances, a trip back to family court can be easier than the initial order. In other situations, such as changes of child custody, it can be much more difficult. The legal standard for taking a case back to court to request a modification is a "material change in circumstances." That's more substantial than just wanting a change.

If you think that your initial court order was wrong, or that your situation has changed in some significant way and you want to go back to family court, contact the Marietta law office of William Pike, Attorney at Law.

We can review the situation with you and explain the laws and the challenges you may face going to court. With 16 years of family court trial experience, Attorney Pike is both knowledgeable and dedicated to helping clients achieve positive outcomes in family law matters such as:

Modification of Court Orders

• You may seek an increase in child support if the other parent's income has substantially increased or if your child's needs have changed with regards to medical needs, educational needs, daycare or after school program needs.
• You may seek a decrease in child support if your income has been substantially reduced, if you now have other children who need support, or for other serious reasons.
• You may seek a change of child custody and visitation if a parent has proven unfit, if changing circumstances mean that one parent is better able to meet the child's needs, or if the child seeks a change. Clients should note that Georgia child custody law has automatically allowed children ages 14 and over to decide whom they would live with. This will change on January 1, 2008. While children's preferences will be considered, the judge will exercise more authority in the decision.
• You may seek a change in alimony if a spouse can be shown to be self-sufficient or if a spouse is unable to become self sufficient.
• A move-away situation, in which one parent wants to relocate with a child, can trigger a change in child custody or a modification of visitation.

Contempt of Court Proceedings

If your former partner has failed to comply with the initial court order, divorce lawyer William Pike will take your case back to court to get a judgment for you to force compliance and potentially to seek damages. Contempt of court cases include:

• Failing to transfer property after a divorce, as agreed upon in a property settlement agreement, including failing to divide pension assets or failure to sell a home if that was specified to occur at a later date.
• Not allowing visitation as specified in the child custody agreement.
• Failing to comply with other instructions in the divorce decree.

When you're heading back to court... you need an attorney with you who has extensive trial experience. Contact William Pike today.

William R. Pike & Associates, LLC

376 Powder Springs Street, Suite 120
Marietta, GA 30064-3448
Telephone (678) 564-0199 • Fax (678) 564-4401
Map and Driving Directions • E-Mail Me

Family law attorney William R. Pike represents clients in divorce and family law matters in Cobb County, Paulding County, and surroundingcounties of Georgia, including the communities of Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Mableton, Douglasville, Powder Springs, Hiram, and Dallas.