Kayann Hayden West, Attorney at Law, P.C.

The holiday season can be very difficult for families who are experiencing the stresses of a divorce or custody modification. Let our office guide you through the process. Give us a call and schedule a consultation today!

It has become common practice in family law cases to use social networking sites as tools to gain evidence in divorce, child custody, and child support cases. Many people who are in the process of a divorce, child custody and/or child support case thoughtlessly put their life out there on the Internet through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other forms of blogging and social networking. Although social media can be entertaining, informative, and innocent, these sites can a...lso be detrimental to your case. Here are ten of the most typical types of social networking posts that can negatively impact your case: 1. Posting pictures of vacations, fancy cars, new motorcycles, or luxury items (especially if child support is an issue in your case); 2. Tweeting about your crazy Saturday night out (when you were supposed to have been parenting your children); 3. Post referencing marijuana, other drug, alcohol use or a party lifestyle; 4. Posting a profile on dating or other websites; 5. Posting provocative pictures of yourself or others during custody cases; 6. Updating your status about your new girlfriend/boyfriend, especially when your divorce is not finalized; 7. Maintaining a profile on dating websites as single, with no kids when you are not single or when you are seeking custody of your children; 8. Posts by your new girlfriend/boyfriend showing off gifts you bought him/her; 9. Venting or posting about an active court case or decision or about the other party, their family or the other professionals involved in your case (just not wise); 10. Posting things that can be perceived as threats to others, especially if you are accused of having anger management issues. While you are posting information on your social networking site, your ex-spouse and his/her lawyer may be printing it out to use against you! Why give them any ammunition? Consider taking a complete break from social media or staying away from posting personal matters while you are going through any case that could affect your family’s future. At a minimum, you should carefully consider the potential impact of whatever you post before posting or being tagged in photos. If you do find yourself needing an attorney to resolve any legal family matter, contact Kayann Hayden West, Attorney at Law, P.C. for assistance!

Thank you to all the men and women who serve our great nation and to those who have given their all for our freedom!

We rounded out 2017 by finalizing 5 adoptions in December for precious families! This was such an exciting and uplifting way to finish the year and we are so excited to see what 2018 has in store! If you have legal needs during 2018, let Kayann Hayden West, Attorney at Law, P.C. be there to assist you!

It’s 8:30 a.m. on Friday and I’m diligently listening to the new tax code implications for my family law clients! Great way to start the morning here at the Family Law Institute! Let us know if Kayann Hayden West, Attorney at Law can help you!

Learning the latest developments in family law at the Family Law Institute sponsored by the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia! If you have family law needs or questions, let Kayann Hayden West Attorney at Law help you!

This Friday began with a joyful court hearing. Yes, that's right, I said joyful! We were able to finalize the adoption of a sweet boy who is now with his forever family! Several more adoptions are in the works here at Kayann Hayden West, Attorney at Law. Let us know if we can assist you with your family law needs.

For parents, finding reliable information about child support online can be a challenge. While most states’ child support laws are similar, the specifics vary from one state to the next. Unfortunately, this has led to the spread of several myths about child support in Georgia. If you are trying to figure out your rights and obligations regarding child support, below are 4 common myths about child support in Georgia of which you should be aware: Myth #1: The Father Always Pays... Child Support. Contrary to popular belief, the father does not always pay child support in the event of a separation or divorce. The law does not inherently favor one parent over the other. Instead, it focuses on each of the parents’ respective incomes, earning capacities, and the custodial arrangement, and it uses an objective set of guidelines to determine each parent’s financial obligation. Myth #2: You Cannot Get Child Support Unless You are Divorced. Another common misconception is that you cannot get child support without being divorced. Georgia’s child support laws do not apply exclusively to married couples. They are designed to ensure that children have adequate access to financial resources, and they apply equally to wed and unwed parents. If you are concerned about how you are going to pay for your children’s nutritional, educational, medical and other needs while your divorce is pending, you can petition the court for a temporary child support order. Myth #3: If You Have a Joint Custody Arrangement, Neither Parent Pays Child Support. In a joint custody arrangement, the parents will often share equal decision-making rights and substantially-equal parenting time. If you have equal custody, who pays child support? While it may seem that neither parent should pay child support in this type of arrangement, the Georgia courts will still look to the children’s needs and the parents’ respective finances to decide whether one parent should pay financial support to the other. Myth #4: Child Support Payments End When a Child Reaches Age 18. While the general rule in Georgia is that child support ends at age 18, this is not always the case. There are circumstances where child support can end earlier (i.e. if a child becomes emancipated); and, if a child has not yet graduated from high school, child support can continue until age 20. Learn more about Georgia’s unique rules for when child support ends. Contact our office today!

Every adoption is special and unique and I am blessed to assist families in our circuit as they become whole and complete through our court system! Happy National Adoption Day!

Gilmer County Courthouse covered in snow. Everyone enjoy a snow day and stay safe!