Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Divorce is 'only real' threat to marriage
by David J. Hollingsworth - Kennebec Journal
I recently read a letter that suggested traditional marriage goes back as far as Adam and Eve. Since they were the only two people, they had no one to marry them.
Is that the standard to which we aspire? Or perhaps arranged marriage. Many other examples of traditional marriage could follow, but I think you get the idea.
Same-sex marriage is not a threat, it is only right. The only real threat to traditional marriage is divorce. But, with more than half the marriages ending in divorce, maybe that is the tradition.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Military Divorce Lawyer - Married to the military
Augusta GA Military Divorce Lawyer - Married to the military
Marine Corps couple faces conflict of duty and ‘I do&rsquo
By MEGAN STOKES
As the daughter of a career U.S. Army corporal, Jamie Wheeler understands that her relationship with Lance Corporal Robert Conniff is second priority to the Marine Corps.
“I love the military so it was not hard to accept,” Wheeler said. “I know he would do anything for me as long as it is not against the Marine Corps.
It is just as important to me as it is to him.” Wheeler, 18, and Conniff, 20, married on May 23 on the Orlando Navy base within the Central Florida Research Park — the first wedding in the base’s history. Both Conniff and Wheeler are in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Minutes after saying their ‘I dos’ the couple admitted they have a tough road ahead of them. The military stationed them together — Wheeler joined Conniff in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 3 — the day after she graduated from Oviedo High School. But they rarely coordinate deployments and Conniff’s job in the Marines, as fire direction control specialist, is a highly deployable duty. “It is more complicated with both of us in the military,” Conniff said. “We plan to handle it one day at a time.” The couple has already begun adjusting to frequent separations. The wedding was the first time they reunited since September. Conniff has lived in Hawaii for two years and recently returned from a tour in Iraq. But as the old saying goes, absence can make the heart grow fonder.
“I think being in the military can actually help a marriage,” said Conniff’s best man Marine Cpl. Randall Wagner, 20, who said he and his wife learned not to sweat the small stuff after his first deployment.
“We used to fight all the time. But now we know how precious our time can be. You have to have fun while you can; basically live like you’re dying. It can build a relationship.”
Dale Marteney taught both Conniff and Wheeler in Oviedo High School’s Junior ROTC program. Marteney spent 30 years in the Navy and 36 years married to his wife, Vicki. The two admit that it is difficult mixing marriage with military.
During deployment they took on certain roles — for Vicki it was full run of the household and for Dale it was full run of his troops — but when he returned they had to surrender some of that control, as well as deal with the trauma he may have faced overseas.
“For six, seven or eight months you are the boss and then that changes,” he said. “You have to be more tolerant and sensitive to the circumstances.”
Vicki added that in a normal relationship people grow together on a daily basis, but when a couple endures frequent separations they change without one another, which can pose some issues. Fanita Jackson, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center program manager and licensed clinical social worker, said that even if both husband and wife are in the military, the problems they face when coming home from war will still be extremely challenging.
“These are young people facing the challenges any newlyweds face — where to live, which home to buy, when to start a family — but with the added issues of readjusting to one another post-deployment and dealing with things like PTSD, social withdrawal and isolation,” she said. Last year the number of divorces among active duty military couples rose to 3.6 percent, meaning that 25,750 of 754,255 marriages ended in divorce, according to the U.S. Department of Anniversaries, Birthdays, Family Reunions, Company Events - There’s always a good reason to Buca Defense Web site. DOD spokesman Lt. Col. Les Melnyk said this number has climbed each year over the last five years.
Jackson recommends that every soldier returning from battle seek counseling alone and with their spouse to make their marriage stronger and healthier.
Wheeler and Conniff will experience their first separation as a married couple when Wheeler goes to boot camp this fall at Paris Island, S.C. “The nine months he spent in boot camp were hard because we could not talk at all. This time [during his tour in Iraq] he bought lots of phone cards and I used Yahoo messenger. It was not too bad. Plus he had already been living in Hawaii so we were used to the distance,” she said. “Now I just keep looking forward to him coming home. You accept it, stay faithful and trusting, suck it up and work through it.” As a “military brat” Wheeler watched her parents deal with deployments and reunions. Her father, Army Col. Kenneth Wheeler, said being a military couple made them more reliant on each other because of frequent station changes.
“It can make you a stronger couple. You rely on each other. You make new friends each time you move but you have to realize that your best friend is with you,” he said. Wheeler and Conniff met in karate class a decade ago but it was not until high school that they became friends and eventually started dating.
“At first I was surprised about her getting married so young but they are right for each other. I could tell looking at her that [wedding] day,” said her older sister Holly Wheeler. “I think it helps with our parents being a military couple. We saw them make it through and work it out, even though it was hard seeing them separated at times.”
Jackson said marrying young is typical in the military for many reasons; one being that the awesome responsibility placed on their shoulders makes them feel older.
“You take on a huge responsibility when you join the military so it makes you think you can take on the responsibility of marriage,” she said. “So they are not only going to war, they are growing up together.”
To curb the number of split marriages, DOD rolled out supportive measures in addition to the existing family assistance program that offers transitional assistance as well as financial, marriage and individual counseling. For example, the Marines now offers the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, a two-day workshop on conflict management, problem solving and communication.
According to a DOD press release, the top four problems in military relationships involved communication, parenting, money and sexual intimacy.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Marine Corps couple faces conflict of duty and ‘I do&rsquo
By MEGAN STOKES
As the daughter of a career U.S. Army corporal, Jamie Wheeler understands that her relationship with Lance Corporal Robert Conniff is second priority to the Marine Corps.
“I love the military so it was not hard to accept,” Wheeler said. “I know he would do anything for me as long as it is not against the Marine Corps.
It is just as important to me as it is to him.” Wheeler, 18, and Conniff, 20, married on May 23 on the Orlando Navy base within the Central Florida Research Park — the first wedding in the base’s history. Both Conniff and Wheeler are in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Minutes after saying their ‘I dos’ the couple admitted they have a tough road ahead of them. The military stationed them together — Wheeler joined Conniff in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 3 — the day after she graduated from Oviedo High School. But they rarely coordinate deployments and Conniff’s job in the Marines, as fire direction control specialist, is a highly deployable duty. “It is more complicated with both of us in the military,” Conniff said. “We plan to handle it one day at a time.” The couple has already begun adjusting to frequent separations. The wedding was the first time they reunited since September. Conniff has lived in Hawaii for two years and recently returned from a tour in Iraq. But as the old saying goes, absence can make the heart grow fonder.
“I think being in the military can actually help a marriage,” said Conniff’s best man Marine Cpl. Randall Wagner, 20, who said he and his wife learned not to sweat the small stuff after his first deployment.
“We used to fight all the time. But now we know how precious our time can be. You have to have fun while you can; basically live like you’re dying. It can build a relationship.”
Dale Marteney taught both Conniff and Wheeler in Oviedo High School’s Junior ROTC program. Marteney spent 30 years in the Navy and 36 years married to his wife, Vicki. The two admit that it is difficult mixing marriage with military.
During deployment they took on certain roles — for Vicki it was full run of the household and for Dale it was full run of his troops — but when he returned they had to surrender some of that control, as well as deal with the trauma he may have faced overseas.
“For six, seven or eight months you are the boss and then that changes,” he said. “You have to be more tolerant and sensitive to the circumstances.”
Vicki added that in a normal relationship people grow together on a daily basis, but when a couple endures frequent separations they change without one another, which can pose some issues. Fanita Jackson, Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center program manager and licensed clinical social worker, said that even if both husband and wife are in the military, the problems they face when coming home from war will still be extremely challenging.
“These are young people facing the challenges any newlyweds face — where to live, which home to buy, when to start a family — but with the added issues of readjusting to one another post-deployment and dealing with things like PTSD, social withdrawal and isolation,” she said. Last year the number of divorces among active duty military couples rose to 3.6 percent, meaning that 25,750 of 754,255 marriages ended in divorce, according to the U.S. Department of Anniversaries, Birthdays, Family Reunions, Company Events - There’s always a good reason to Buca Defense Web site. DOD spokesman Lt. Col. Les Melnyk said this number has climbed each year over the last five years.
Jackson recommends that every soldier returning from battle seek counseling alone and with their spouse to make their marriage stronger and healthier.
Wheeler and Conniff will experience their first separation as a married couple when Wheeler goes to boot camp this fall at Paris Island, S.C. “The nine months he spent in boot camp were hard because we could not talk at all. This time [during his tour in Iraq] he bought lots of phone cards and I used Yahoo messenger. It was not too bad. Plus he had already been living in Hawaii so we were used to the distance,” she said. “Now I just keep looking forward to him coming home. You accept it, stay faithful and trusting, suck it up and work through it.” As a “military brat” Wheeler watched her parents deal with deployments and reunions. Her father, Army Col. Kenneth Wheeler, said being a military couple made them more reliant on each other because of frequent station changes.
“It can make you a stronger couple. You rely on each other. You make new friends each time you move but you have to realize that your best friend is with you,” he said. Wheeler and Conniff met in karate class a decade ago but it was not until high school that they became friends and eventually started dating.
“At first I was surprised about her getting married so young but they are right for each other. I could tell looking at her that [wedding] day,” said her older sister Holly Wheeler. “I think it helps with our parents being a military couple. We saw them make it through and work it out, even though it was hard seeing them separated at times.”
Jackson said marrying young is typical in the military for many reasons; one being that the awesome responsibility placed on their shoulders makes them feel older.
“You take on a huge responsibility when you join the military so it makes you think you can take on the responsibility of marriage,” she said. “So they are not only going to war, they are growing up together.”
To curb the number of split marriages, DOD rolled out supportive measures in addition to the existing family assistance program that offers transitional assistance as well as financial, marriage and individual counseling. For example, the Marines now offers the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, a two-day workshop on conflict management, problem solving and communication.
According to a DOD press release, the top four problems in military relationships involved communication, parenting, money and sexual intimacy.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Georgia man kills self at Alabama rest stop with body of wife in trunk
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Georgia man kills self at Alabama rest stop with body of wife in trunk
The Associated Press
EVERGREEN -- A Georgia man killed himself at an interstate rest stop in Alabama after killing his estranged wife and putting her body in the trunk of her car, authorities said.
Conecuh County sheriff's deputies found the bodies of Scottie and Jessica Murphy of Augusta, Ga., on Tuesday at a rest stop on Interstate 65, about 78 miles southwest of Montgomery.
Jessica Murphy, 30, had been missing since Saturday when she failed to show up for work at The Augusta Chronicle, where she worked in the newspaper's advertising department.
Conecuh County Chief Deputy Tyrone Boykin said employees at the rest stop near Evergreen called police after a man parked there, put a gun to his chin and pulled the trigger.
Investigators identified the man as Scottie Murphy. They found Jessica Murphy's body in the trunk of the car he was driving -- his wife's Kia Rio.
Sgt. Clarence Chew of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta said Jessica Murphy had filed for divorce from her husband and had been living with her mother.
Chew said investigators were awaiting autopsy results to determine how Jessica Murphy died and when she was killed.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
The Associated Press
EVERGREEN -- A Georgia man killed himself at an interstate rest stop in Alabama after killing his estranged wife and putting her body in the trunk of her car, authorities said.
Conecuh County sheriff's deputies found the bodies of Scottie and Jessica Murphy of Augusta, Ga., on Tuesday at a rest stop on Interstate 65, about 78 miles southwest of Montgomery.
Jessica Murphy, 30, had been missing since Saturday when she failed to show up for work at The Augusta Chronicle, where she worked in the newspaper's advertising department.
Conecuh County Chief Deputy Tyrone Boykin said employees at the rest stop near Evergreen called police after a man parked there, put a gun to his chin and pulled the trigger.
Investigators identified the man as Scottie Murphy. They found Jessica Murphy's body in the trunk of the car he was driving -- his wife's Kia Rio.
Sgt. Clarence Chew of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta said Jessica Murphy had filed for divorce from her husband and had been living with her mother.
Chew said investigators were awaiting autopsy results to determine how Jessica Murphy died and when she was killed.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Economic Recession Affects Divorce Rates
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Economic Recession Affects Divorce Rates
by Erin Kelley
While many recent news articles have claimed the recession has sent divorce rates plummeting, it's not quite the case. Most people may not be able to afford a divorce and the rates of a divorce lawyer, but some people still can.
According to the ABA Journal, many people who still have money are finding now is the time for divorce. As assets are declining in value, wealthy clients are divorcing now while there is less to property to divide between the couple.
Clients are finding that a divorce in a slow economy can help protect from losing too much in divorce.
News stories have told the tale time and time again of how divorcing couples are now fighting over who gets stuck with the house, instead of who gets the family home. But divorce lawyers are saying that now is a good time for people who want to keep particular property and can afford it to divorce.
“This is a great time for wealthy people to get divorced because their assets are down,” Lynne Gold-Bikin told the National Law Journal. “So if you want to keep the house, perfect time. If you want to keep the 401(k), perfect time.”
Gold-Bikin leads the Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby family law practice. The firm, which is in Philadelphia, is seeing clients pour in.
Although some law firms report an increase in divorce cases amongst wealthy clients, some attorney firms are saying they are only seeing an increase in the complication of each case. It’s a difficult time trying to figure out the how to a set a value on assets for divorce cases that started before the economy crashed.
“The worst cases are where we have been fighting for extended periods of time, and what we’re fighting over has been lost in the stock market,” Susan Moss of the Chemtob Moss Forman Talbert law firm in New York told the National Law Journal.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
by Erin Kelley
While many recent news articles have claimed the recession has sent divorce rates plummeting, it's not quite the case. Most people may not be able to afford a divorce and the rates of a divorce lawyer, but some people still can.
According to the ABA Journal, many people who still have money are finding now is the time for divorce. As assets are declining in value, wealthy clients are divorcing now while there is less to property to divide between the couple.
Clients are finding that a divorce in a slow economy can help protect from losing too much in divorce.
News stories have told the tale time and time again of how divorcing couples are now fighting over who gets stuck with the house, instead of who gets the family home. But divorce lawyers are saying that now is a good time for people who want to keep particular property and can afford it to divorce.
“This is a great time for wealthy people to get divorced because their assets are down,” Lynne Gold-Bikin told the National Law Journal. “So if you want to keep the house, perfect time. If you want to keep the 401(k), perfect time.”
Gold-Bikin leads the Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby family law practice. The firm, which is in Philadelphia, is seeing clients pour in.
Although some law firms report an increase in divorce cases amongst wealthy clients, some attorney firms are saying they are only seeing an increase in the complication of each case. It’s a difficult time trying to figure out the how to a set a value on assets for divorce cases that started before the economy crashed.
“The worst cases are where we have been fighting for extended periods of time, and what we’re fighting over has been lost in the stock market,” Susan Moss of the Chemtob Moss Forman Talbert law firm in New York told the National Law Journal.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - International divorce enquiries rocket in South West
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - International divorce enquiries rocket in South West
A leading regional legal firm is reporting a sharp increase in the number of people from other countries issuing divorce proceedings in the South West to achieve a better result.
Stephens Scown, which has offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell, says they have seen at least a ‘doubling’ in enquiries from individuals in countries such as France, Spain, America and Holland filing for divorce here, in order to take advantage of the English approach to dividing assets.
“We are seeing a marked increase on last year in the number of overseas clients wanting to issue divorce proceedings in the South West”, says Andrew Barton, an associate solicitor in the Family Law Team with Stephens Scown.
In this year already the firm has had a greater number of enquiries involving an ‘international element’ than in previous years. He says, “It’s far easier for people to live and work abroad now and one or both parties divorcing may have large properties or significant matrimonial assets outside the UK”.
Andrew continues, “For many people it’s about getting as much as they can from a divorce court and making a decision about which country’s jurisdiction will give the most favourable decision – also known as ‘forum shopping’, weighing up the pros and cons of which would be the best place to issue proceedings.
“Great care needs to be taken when making this choice. We often come across situations were spouses have been advised to issue proceedings in their own country, only to find later on they would have very likely got a more favourable judgement had proceedings been issued in the English courts”, he adds.
The French newspaper Journal du Dimanche recently quoted one case involving a woman who in her divorce from her city trader husband received an £800,000 financial settlement in a Paris court. It is reported that if she had filed for divorce in England would have received in excess of £3 million.
Andrew says it is better to make the right decision from the outset or warns it could be far costlier in the long-run, “The key is to get good legal advice – if the decision is taken to issue proceedings in this country, it is vital action is taken quickly. It is all about who can get to the court doors quickest.”
With the on-going tough financial climate around the globe, Andrew believes the number of international cases they will handle as a firm will continue to rise this year, “We are seeing an increase in the number of people divorcing and with the recession still biting, clients are wanting to get more for their money and the best result all round.
Andrew adds, “Undoubtedly it can be a very complicated process, but a specialist family lawyer can help provide guidance around international jurisdictional issues and give advice on where best to file for proceedings.”
Stephens Scown’s Family Law Team is top ranked in the independent Chambers and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession. Andrew Barton is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in complicated financial matters arising from divorce and has particular experience in dealing with international divorce issues.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
A leading regional legal firm is reporting a sharp increase in the number of people from other countries issuing divorce proceedings in the South West to achieve a better result.
Stephens Scown, which has offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell, says they have seen at least a ‘doubling’ in enquiries from individuals in countries such as France, Spain, America and Holland filing for divorce here, in order to take advantage of the English approach to dividing assets.
“We are seeing a marked increase on last year in the number of overseas clients wanting to issue divorce proceedings in the South West”, says Andrew Barton, an associate solicitor in the Family Law Team with Stephens Scown.
In this year already the firm has had a greater number of enquiries involving an ‘international element’ than in previous years. He says, “It’s far easier for people to live and work abroad now and one or both parties divorcing may have large properties or significant matrimonial assets outside the UK”.
Andrew continues, “For many people it’s about getting as much as they can from a divorce court and making a decision about which country’s jurisdiction will give the most favourable decision – also known as ‘forum shopping’, weighing up the pros and cons of which would be the best place to issue proceedings.
“Great care needs to be taken when making this choice. We often come across situations were spouses have been advised to issue proceedings in their own country, only to find later on they would have very likely got a more favourable judgement had proceedings been issued in the English courts”, he adds.
The French newspaper Journal du Dimanche recently quoted one case involving a woman who in her divorce from her city trader husband received an £800,000 financial settlement in a Paris court. It is reported that if she had filed for divorce in England would have received in excess of £3 million.
Andrew says it is better to make the right decision from the outset or warns it could be far costlier in the long-run, “The key is to get good legal advice – if the decision is taken to issue proceedings in this country, it is vital action is taken quickly. It is all about who can get to the court doors quickest.”
With the on-going tough financial climate around the globe, Andrew believes the number of international cases they will handle as a firm will continue to rise this year, “We are seeing an increase in the number of people divorcing and with the recession still biting, clients are wanting to get more for their money and the best result all round.
Andrew adds, “Undoubtedly it can be a very complicated process, but a specialist family lawyer can help provide guidance around international jurisdictional issues and give advice on where best to file for proceedings.”
Stephens Scown’s Family Law Team is top ranked in the independent Chambers and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession. Andrew Barton is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in complicated financial matters arising from divorce and has particular experience in dealing with international divorce issues.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Facebook being used in divorce cases
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Facebook being used in divorce cases
Posted By: Bob Brenzing
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A local attorney says that the indiscrete postings of photos and details on Facebook has been making his work as a divorce attorney easier.
Ric Roane, a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP tells WZZM of a local case where a woman presented herself as a "mother of the year" candidate in a divorce proceeding, but when he found out about some of her Facebook postings, the case changed.
You can watch the whole interview by clicking on the video on the right.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Posted By: Bob Brenzing
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A local attorney says that the indiscrete postings of photos and details on Facebook has been making his work as a divorce attorney easier.
Ric Roane, a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP tells WZZM of a local case where a woman presented herself as a "mother of the year" candidate in a divorce proceeding, but when he found out about some of her Facebook postings, the case changed.
You can watch the whole interview by clicking on the video on the right.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Military Divorce Lawyer - Military Families Don't Have Time to Divorce?
Augusta GA Military Divorce Lawyer - Military Families Don't Have Time to Divorce?
Posted by Michael Schindler
"What I hear from people is that they don't have time to divorce." This was part of Sheila Casey's testimony before a Senate panel a few days ago.
Recent studies indicate that military divorce rates are climbing. Mrs. Casey was sounding the alarm before the Senate hearing and making the point that "the worst problems for military families may lie ahead."
Two days ago I shared the stage with a JAG officer who recently returned from Iraq. He shared his pictures, part of his testimony and experiences and then as he was about ready to pass the baton, informed our audience that there were two primary reasons soldiers came to his office: update a power of attorney and file for divorce.
The rate of which military service members are filing for divorce is climbing. As Sheila Casey points out, "families are stretched and stressed...(they) are the most brittle part of the force...we can no longer ask them to make the best of it."
The Obama White House, Defense Department and Congress are all looking for ways to improve family support.
We are positioned to help support. And I encourage each one of you to stand shoulder to shoulder with our military families and offer support. It is our time to serve.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Posted by Michael Schindler
"What I hear from people is that they don't have time to divorce." This was part of Sheila Casey's testimony before a Senate panel a few days ago.
Recent studies indicate that military divorce rates are climbing. Mrs. Casey was sounding the alarm before the Senate hearing and making the point that "the worst problems for military families may lie ahead."
Two days ago I shared the stage with a JAG officer who recently returned from Iraq. He shared his pictures, part of his testimony and experiences and then as he was about ready to pass the baton, informed our audience that there were two primary reasons soldiers came to his office: update a power of attorney and file for divorce.
The rate of which military service members are filing for divorce is climbing. As Sheila Casey points out, "families are stretched and stressed...(they) are the most brittle part of the force...we can no longer ask them to make the best of it."
The Obama White House, Defense Department and Congress are all looking for ways to improve family support.
We are positioned to help support. And I encourage each one of you to stand shoulder to shoulder with our military families and offer support. It is our time to serve.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Divorces cause children to turn to alcohol
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Divorces cause children to turn to alcohol
A quarter of children whose parents divorce before they reach 18 turn to alcohol, a survey shows.
Children whose parents go through an acrimonious separation or divorce are being failed by the law, with one in 10 turning to crime and 8 per cent considering suicide, the study suggested.
Couples who use youngsters as "emotional footballs" during custody battles can leave children so traumatised that a third seek solace in drugs or alcohol, according to a poll of 2,000 people.
The study of individuals who had experienced a divorce as a child in the last 20 years was commissioned by law firm Mishcon de Reya to mark the 20th anniversary of the Children Act.
The survey also revealed that 42 per cent of children witnessed aggressive rows between their parents, with almost half (49%) forced to comfort an upset mother or father.
Just under a quarter (24 per) admit they were forced by one parent to lie to the other and a further 15 per centwere asked to spy on a parent.
With Legal Aid funding for parents to litigate over child related issues in divorce or separation costing the nation £151 million a year, according to the latest figures from the Legal Services Commission, leading lawyers are calling for the Government to act by helping separating couples avoid costly and potentially damaging court battles through measures such as mediation and parenting classes.
Family lawyer Sandra Davis, from Mishcon de Reya, said: "This research demonstrates that the legal process is not working because parents continue to use their children as emotional footballs.
"Not only are warring mothers and fathers damaging their children, they are costing the taxpayer millions which could be spent so much more constructively.
"We need to take parents out of the legal arena and do more to encourage them to make use of parenting classes. It is proven that classes where children are involved can settle disputes much more quickly and with less acrimony."
She said the study showed the court process "undermines the good intentions of the legislation which was intended to put children first".
Half of those surveyed believe more should be done to put the feelings of children first during divorce and 37 per cent said they had no idea where to turn for support.
Mishcon de Reya hopes to work with a charity to support children with online support and a downloadable Separation Manifesto which youngsters could get their parents to sign up to.
"It could help make parents act more responsibly but it is a drop in the ocean of what is needed," said Ms Davis. "It's time the Government reassessed a failing process and looked to find solutions to protect kids caught in the middle."
Maureen Nuttall, strategy development manager at Action for Children, said: "Divorce can be a difficult time for families and children can often be left isolated if they do not get appropriate understanding and guidance.
"These findings highlight the need for targeted support for both parents and children at what can be a complicated and confusing time.
"The emotional wellbeing of children must be a priority for parents, the legal profession and support services to ensure the impact of divorce is kept to a minimum."
:: Research was carried out online between March 13 and 19 by OnePoll among a representative sample of 2,000 individuals who had experienced a divorce as a child in the past 20 years.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
A quarter of children whose parents divorce before they reach 18 turn to alcohol, a survey shows.
Children whose parents go through an acrimonious separation or divorce are being failed by the law, with one in 10 turning to crime and 8 per cent considering suicide, the study suggested.
Couples who use youngsters as "emotional footballs" during custody battles can leave children so traumatised that a third seek solace in drugs or alcohol, according to a poll of 2,000 people.
The study of individuals who had experienced a divorce as a child in the last 20 years was commissioned by law firm Mishcon de Reya to mark the 20th anniversary of the Children Act.
The survey also revealed that 42 per cent of children witnessed aggressive rows between their parents, with almost half (49%) forced to comfort an upset mother or father.
Just under a quarter (24 per) admit they were forced by one parent to lie to the other and a further 15 per centwere asked to spy on a parent.
With Legal Aid funding for parents to litigate over child related issues in divorce or separation costing the nation £151 million a year, according to the latest figures from the Legal Services Commission, leading lawyers are calling for the Government to act by helping separating couples avoid costly and potentially damaging court battles through measures such as mediation and parenting classes.
Family lawyer Sandra Davis, from Mishcon de Reya, said: "This research demonstrates that the legal process is not working because parents continue to use their children as emotional footballs.
"Not only are warring mothers and fathers damaging their children, they are costing the taxpayer millions which could be spent so much more constructively.
"We need to take parents out of the legal arena and do more to encourage them to make use of parenting classes. It is proven that classes where children are involved can settle disputes much more quickly and with less acrimony."
She said the study showed the court process "undermines the good intentions of the legislation which was intended to put children first".
Half of those surveyed believe more should be done to put the feelings of children first during divorce and 37 per cent said they had no idea where to turn for support.
Mishcon de Reya hopes to work with a charity to support children with online support and a downloadable Separation Manifesto which youngsters could get their parents to sign up to.
"It could help make parents act more responsibly but it is a drop in the ocean of what is needed," said Ms Davis. "It's time the Government reassessed a failing process and looked to find solutions to protect kids caught in the middle."
Maureen Nuttall, strategy development manager at Action for Children, said: "Divorce can be a difficult time for families and children can often be left isolated if they do not get appropriate understanding and guidance.
"These findings highlight the need for targeted support for both parents and children at what can be a complicated and confusing time.
"The emotional wellbeing of children must be a priority for parents, the legal profession and support services to ensure the impact of divorce is kept to a minimum."
:: Research was carried out online between March 13 and 19 by OnePoll among a representative sample of 2,000 individuals who had experienced a divorce as a child in the past 20 years.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Middle-aged divorces rising
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Middle-aged divorces rising
By Diana Othman
WHILE there were fewer divorces last year compared to 2007, more marriages ended in divorces for middle-aged couples.
Statistics on Marriages and Divorces 2008 released by the Singapore Department of Statistics on Wednesday showed that marital dissolutions fell slightly from 7,241 to 7,220 last year.
Of these, 37.9 per cent of the men who divorced were aged 35 to 44 years, while for female divorcees, the largest group - 39.4 per cent - was aged 25 to 34 years.
The report showed that a growing number of divorcees aged 45 years and above in the last decade - for both men and women.
For non-Muslim marriages, the most common reason cited for divorces was having lived apart or separated for at least three years.
The other usual reason was 'unreasonable behaviour of the spouse', usually given by the women.
Among Muslim marriages, infidelity was the main reason cited for 23 per cent of the divorces last year, followed by personality difference cited by 18 per cent.
Some 15 per cent of the women also petitioned on the grounds of 'inadequate maintenance'.
The number of annulments in 2008 also fell by 368 last year, compared to 429 in 2007.
According to the report, couples tend to stay married for about a decade before seeking divorce as the median marriage period for divorces last year was 9.8 years.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
By Diana Othman
WHILE there were fewer divorces last year compared to 2007, more marriages ended in divorces for middle-aged couples.
Statistics on Marriages and Divorces 2008 released by the Singapore Department of Statistics on Wednesday showed that marital dissolutions fell slightly from 7,241 to 7,220 last year.
Of these, 37.9 per cent of the men who divorced were aged 35 to 44 years, while for female divorcees, the largest group - 39.4 per cent - was aged 25 to 34 years.
The report showed that a growing number of divorcees aged 45 years and above in the last decade - for both men and women.
For non-Muslim marriages, the most common reason cited for divorces was having lived apart or separated for at least three years.
The other usual reason was 'unreasonable behaviour of the spouse', usually given by the women.
Among Muslim marriages, infidelity was the main reason cited for 23 per cent of the divorces last year, followed by personality difference cited by 18 per cent.
Some 15 per cent of the women also petitioned on the grounds of 'inadequate maintenance'.
The number of annulments in 2008 also fell by 368 last year, compared to 429 in 2007.
According to the report, couples tend to stay married for about a decade before seeking divorce as the median marriage period for divorces last year was 9.8 years.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Help your preschooler cope with your divorce
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Help your preschooler cope with your divorce
by TOM ROGAT at DIVORCE360
Divorce is a difficult time for everyone, especially young children. Preschoolers usually don't understand what divorce is or why it is happening. When children this age don't know why something is happening, they frequently use their imaginations to make sense of things. This can mean believing that they have done something to make an event -- such as divorce -- happen. Talking with your preschooler about divorce can help ensure that he isn't blaming himself or, as a child may see it, "making Daddy (or Mommy) leave." It can also help alleviate other fears and make them feel as secure as possible. Here are some important topics to address with your preschooler if you won't have daily custody.
It is not the child's fault you're leaving. "It's not your fault that I'm moving out. It's only because of things that mommy and daddy did. You didn't do, say or think anything wrong."
Preschoolers can be quick to assign themselves guilt for a divorce. They can also believe things happen because of what they wish for, so make sure they know their thoughts and feelings weren't responsible.
The other parent won't leave. "Even though mommy and daddy won't live together anymore, you will always live with one of us. For now, you'll be living with mommy, and she won't be leaving."
One of a preschooler's greatest fears is that if one parent is leaving, the other might, too.
You both still love them. "Mommy and I both still love you, and always will, even if we can't all live together anymore. That will never change."
Your preschooler needs to understand that the relationship with both parents will continue even though you're moving out.
How much contact you'll have with them. "We will chat on the phone every day and you can talk about whatever you want. You'll see me every Wednesday afternoon and stay at my home on Saturday nights, too."
Invite your child to make contact whenever he wants to and have the child visit as soon as possible.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
by TOM ROGAT at DIVORCE360
Divorce is a difficult time for everyone, especially young children. Preschoolers usually don't understand what divorce is or why it is happening. When children this age don't know why something is happening, they frequently use their imaginations to make sense of things. This can mean believing that they have done something to make an event -- such as divorce -- happen. Talking with your preschooler about divorce can help ensure that he isn't blaming himself or, as a child may see it, "making Daddy (or Mommy) leave." It can also help alleviate other fears and make them feel as secure as possible. Here are some important topics to address with your preschooler if you won't have daily custody.
It is not the child's fault you're leaving. "It's not your fault that I'm moving out. It's only because of things that mommy and daddy did. You didn't do, say or think anything wrong."
Preschoolers can be quick to assign themselves guilt for a divorce. They can also believe things happen because of what they wish for, so make sure they know their thoughts and feelings weren't responsible.
The other parent won't leave. "Even though mommy and daddy won't live together anymore, you will always live with one of us. For now, you'll be living with mommy, and she won't be leaving."
One of a preschooler's greatest fears is that if one parent is leaving, the other might, too.
You both still love them. "Mommy and I both still love you, and always will, even if we can't all live together anymore. That will never change."
Your preschooler needs to understand that the relationship with both parents will continue even though you're moving out.
How much contact you'll have with them. "We will chat on the phone every day and you can talk about whatever you want. You'll see me every Wednesday afternoon and stay at my home on Saturday nights, too."
Invite your child to make contact whenever he wants to and have the child visit as soon as possible.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Collaborative divorce: alternative to traditional divorce
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Collaborative divorce: alternative to traditional divorce
by Donna Cheswick
One alternative to a traditional litigated divorce is a process known as collaborative divorce. With this method each spouse retains a specially trained attorney and both parties take an active role agreeing to resolve their differences and address all aspects of the divorce by sitting down as a team using compromise and fair play to settle their differences and create a settlement which meets the needs of both parties without going to court.
Each spouse and their attorney agree in writing to an honest and good faith sharing of all financial information relevant to the divorce. This saves time and usually reduces legal fees since there is no need for investigation into the aspects of the marital financial situation. All parties agree in writing to commit to achieving a mutually acceptable settlement out of court. To assist in reaching a positive outcome for all members of the family, specialists such as Certified Divorce Financial Analysts or therapists can also be used. If at any time during the process one or both parties is unable to resolve their differences and opts to use traditional litigation, both attorneys are required to withdraw from the process and each spouse will be responsible for obtaining new legal representation. This kind of disqualification provision is a key element since it can help to ensure all parties stay on track and work diligently toward reaching an acceptable outcome.
Collaborative divorce allows each spouse to have more control over the final outcome and leads to a greater likelihood of long-term satisfaction.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
by Donna Cheswick
One alternative to a traditional litigated divorce is a process known as collaborative divorce. With this method each spouse retains a specially trained attorney and both parties take an active role agreeing to resolve their differences and address all aspects of the divorce by sitting down as a team using compromise and fair play to settle their differences and create a settlement which meets the needs of both parties without going to court.
Each spouse and their attorney agree in writing to an honest and good faith sharing of all financial information relevant to the divorce. This saves time and usually reduces legal fees since there is no need for investigation into the aspects of the marital financial situation. All parties agree in writing to commit to achieving a mutually acceptable settlement out of court. To assist in reaching a positive outcome for all members of the family, specialists such as Certified Divorce Financial Analysts or therapists can also be used. If at any time during the process one or both parties is unable to resolve their differences and opts to use traditional litigation, both attorneys are required to withdraw from the process and each spouse will be responsible for obtaining new legal representation. This kind of disqualification provision is a key element since it can help to ensure all parties stay on track and work diligently toward reaching an acceptable outcome.
Collaborative divorce allows each spouse to have more control over the final outcome and leads to a greater likelihood of long-term satisfaction.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Children can meet dad’s gay friends
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Children can meet dad’s gay friends
Ruling overturns Fayette judge’s ban.Gay-rights activists hail decision, which stems from 2007 divorce case.
By Bill Rankin - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday threw out a judge’s order that prohibited children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father’s gay and lesbian friends.
The ruling was hailed by gay rights groups who said the decision focuses on the needs of children instead of perpetuating a stigma on the basis of sexual orientation.
The state high court’s decision overturned Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards’ blanket prohibition against exposing the children to their father’s gay partners and friends.
“Such an arbitrary classification based on sexual orientation flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children,” Justice Robert Benham wrote.
The Fayette County judge’s prohibition “assumes, without evidentiary support, that the children will suffer harm from any such contact,” Benham wrote. But there is no evidence that any member of the gay and lesbian community has engaged in inappropriate conduct in the presence of the children or that the children would be adversely affected by being exposed to members of that community, he said.
The ruling stems from the 2007 divorce of Eric Duane Mongerson and Sandy Kay Ehlers Mongerson, who had been married 21 years and had four children.
The visitation order prohibited the three youngest children, whose ages ranged from 8 to 16 at the time, from being in contact with their father’s gay and lesbian friends. The oldest child was already an adult.
Hannibal Heredia, an Atlanta lawyer representing Eric Mongerson, called the court’s ruling “the proper decision.”
Sandy Mongerson’s attorney, Lance McMillian, said the mother does not plan to appeal. “My client is interested in putting it behind her,” he said. “Other than that, we don’t have anything to say about it.”
Beth Littrell, staff attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in Atlanta, said the visitation order was the most sweeping of its kind she had seen in Georgia.
“Placing a blanket ban on children’s association with gay people not only hurts this father’s relationship with his children, it is blatant discrimination,” Littrell said. “The court has done the right thing today by focusing on the needs of the children instead of perpetuating stigma on the basis of sexual orientation.”
The ruling, she added, ensures that visitation decisions are “not based on the prejudices of individual judges.”
Includes information from the Associated Press.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Ruling overturns Fayette judge’s ban.Gay-rights activists hail decision, which stems from 2007 divorce case.
By Bill Rankin - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday threw out a judge’s order that prohibited children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father’s gay and lesbian friends.
The ruling was hailed by gay rights groups who said the decision focuses on the needs of children instead of perpetuating a stigma on the basis of sexual orientation.
The state high court’s decision overturned Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards’ blanket prohibition against exposing the children to their father’s gay partners and friends.
“Such an arbitrary classification based on sexual orientation flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children,” Justice Robert Benham wrote.
The Fayette County judge’s prohibition “assumes, without evidentiary support, that the children will suffer harm from any such contact,” Benham wrote. But there is no evidence that any member of the gay and lesbian community has engaged in inappropriate conduct in the presence of the children or that the children would be adversely affected by being exposed to members of that community, he said.
The ruling stems from the 2007 divorce of Eric Duane Mongerson and Sandy Kay Ehlers Mongerson, who had been married 21 years and had four children.
The visitation order prohibited the three youngest children, whose ages ranged from 8 to 16 at the time, from being in contact with their father’s gay and lesbian friends. The oldest child was already an adult.
Hannibal Heredia, an Atlanta lawyer representing Eric Mongerson, called the court’s ruling “the proper decision.”
Sandy Mongerson’s attorney, Lance McMillian, said the mother does not plan to appeal. “My client is interested in putting it behind her,” he said. “Other than that, we don’t have anything to say about it.”
Beth Littrell, staff attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in Atlanta, said the visitation order was the most sweeping of its kind she had seen in Georgia.
“Placing a blanket ban on children’s association with gay people not only hurts this father’s relationship with his children, it is blatant discrimination,” Littrell said. “The court has done the right thing today by focusing on the needs of the children instead of perpetuating stigma on the basis of sexual orientation.”
The ruling, she added, ensures that visitation decisions are “not based on the prejudices of individual judges.”
Includes information from the Associated Press.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Injured Morgan Freeman seeks divorce
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Injured Morgan Freeman seeks divorce
Injured actor Morgan Freeman is divorcing his wife of 24 years, costumer Myrna Colley-Lee.
Just days after injuring himself in a serious car accident with a mystery woman, actor Morgan Freeman has announced he is divorcing his wife after 24 years of marriage.
A spokesman for Freeman - who is in hospital recovering from a broken arm, a broken elbow and minor shoulder damage - told Access Hollywood he is seeking a divorce from his wife, costumer Myrna Colley-Lee.
“(They) are involved in a divorce action,” the actor’s Mississippi-based attorney and business partner Bill Luckett said.
"And for legal and practical purposes, (Freeman and Colley-Lee) have been separated since December of 2007."
The mystery woman in Freeman's car at the time it rolled has been identified as Demaris Meyer, a friend of Freeman's.
The jaws of life were required to cut both passengers from the wreckage when the car swerved off the road and rolled end-over-end on Sunday night, on a highway near a home Freeman has in Charleston, Mississippi.
“He was lucid, conscious,” an onlooker told news agency Associated Press. “He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point.”
Freeman's publicist Donna Lee said the Oscar winner would make a full recovery.
Freeman, 71, stars in current blockbuster The Dark Knight. He won an Oscar in 2005 for his supporting role in Clint Eastwood's boxing drama Million Dollar Baby.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Injured actor Morgan Freeman is divorcing his wife of 24 years, costumer Myrna Colley-Lee.
Just days after injuring himself in a serious car accident with a mystery woman, actor Morgan Freeman has announced he is divorcing his wife after 24 years of marriage.
A spokesman for Freeman - who is in hospital recovering from a broken arm, a broken elbow and minor shoulder damage - told Access Hollywood he is seeking a divorce from his wife, costumer Myrna Colley-Lee.
“(They) are involved in a divorce action,” the actor’s Mississippi-based attorney and business partner Bill Luckett said.
"And for legal and practical purposes, (Freeman and Colley-Lee) have been separated since December of 2007."
The mystery woman in Freeman's car at the time it rolled has been identified as Demaris Meyer, a friend of Freeman's.
The jaws of life were required to cut both passengers from the wreckage when the car swerved off the road and rolled end-over-end on Sunday night, on a highway near a home Freeman has in Charleston, Mississippi.
“He was lucid, conscious,” an onlooker told news agency Associated Press. “He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point.”
Freeman's publicist Donna Lee said the Oscar winner would make a full recovery.
Freeman, 71, stars in current blockbuster The Dark Knight. He won an Oscar in 2005 for his supporting role in Clint Eastwood's boxing drama Million Dollar Baby.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Allegations Of Drug Use Surface In Hogan Divorce Case
Augusta GA Divorce Lawyer - Allegations Of Drug Use Surface In Hogan Divorce Case
(Clearwater, FL) -- Allegations were made in open court yesterday that the estranged wife of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan does a lot of drugs and is an alcoholic.
Tracy Morgan, the hair stylist to both Hulk Hogan and his wife Linda Bollea, testified at a hearing where Hogan is asking a judge to cut back the 40-thousand-dollar alimony he must pay each month.
In court, the lawyers turned over checks made out to cash for thousands of dollars as proof of Bollea's extravagant spending.
After two hours of testimony, the judge decided to continue the case until next month.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
(Clearwater, FL) -- Allegations were made in open court yesterday that the estranged wife of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan does a lot of drugs and is an alcoholic.
Tracy Morgan, the hair stylist to both Hulk Hogan and his wife Linda Bollea, testified at a hearing where Hogan is asking a judge to cut back the 40-thousand-dollar alimony he must pay each month.
In court, the lawyers turned over checks made out to cash for thousands of dollars as proof of Bollea's extravagant spending.
After two hours of testimony, the judge decided to continue the case until next month.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Ga. court tosses gay ban in bitter divorce case
Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Ga. court tosses gay ban in bitter divorce case
By GREG BLUESTEIN
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a trial judge's order that banned children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father's gay and lesbian friends and partners, and added strong language calling the restriction an abuse of the judge's discretion.
The court's unanimous opinion, written by Justice Robert Benham, concluded that the Fayette County judge's order "flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children."
It was applauded by gay rights advocates in Georgia who viewed the ruling as a commonsense answer to a decision they say was rooted in decades-old misconceptions about gays and lesbians.
The top court's stern language seemed to surprise the father's attorney, who said he was encouraged the justices didn't take an easier route by simply ruling that they wouldn't interfere with a parent's rights.
"That's a strong message. That was more than I expected," said the attorney, Hannibal Heredia. "It made me feel that they wanted to have that out there - they're putting their necks on the line."
The ruling stems from the bitter 2007 divorce of Eric Duane Mongerson and Sandy Kay Ehlers Mongerson, who were married 21 years and had four children.
In court arguments, Sandy Mongerson's attorney claimed the father subjected the children to an "array of violent, sexual, abusive and wholly inappropriate conduct" during a trip to Arkansas and contended the father was in a series of affairs with other men while still married.
Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards awarded Sandy Mongerson custody of the couple's three minor children in the final divorce decree, and her ex-husband was granted limited visitation.
The judge also issued a blanket order banning Eric Mongerson from "exposing the children to his homosexual partners and friends."
Edwards said in his ruling that he was not judging the father based on his sexual orientation, but that his decision was meant to reflect "the trauma inflicted upon the children" during the trip to Arkansas.
The Georgia Supreme Court, though, flatly disagreed. The 10-page ruling concluded Edwards had no evidence that the ban was needed, and that his ruling assumed the children would suffer harm from contact with gays and lesbians associated with their father.
Without such evidence, Benham wrote, "the trial court abused its discretion when it imposed such a restriction on (the) husband's visitation rights."
Sandy Mongerson's attorney, Lance McMillian, said the mother does not plan to appeal.
"My client is interested in putting it behind her," he said. "Other than that, we don't have anything to say about it."
Georgia's gay rights groups, meanwhile, were more effusive. Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality praised the top court's ruling as a dose of "common sense and fair mindedness."
"It clearly does show that if justice is to rule in what's in the best interest of the child, rulings based upon prejudice and bias are not in the best interest of the child," he said.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
By GREG BLUESTEIN
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a trial judge's order that banned children in a divorce case from having any contact with their father's gay and lesbian friends and partners, and added strong language calling the restriction an abuse of the judge's discretion.
The court's unanimous opinion, written by Justice Robert Benham, concluded that the Fayette County judge's order "flies in the face of our public policy that encourages divorced parents to participate in the raising of their children."
It was applauded by gay rights advocates in Georgia who viewed the ruling as a commonsense answer to a decision they say was rooted in decades-old misconceptions about gays and lesbians.
The top court's stern language seemed to surprise the father's attorney, who said he was encouraged the justices didn't take an easier route by simply ruling that they wouldn't interfere with a parent's rights.
"That's a strong message. That was more than I expected," said the attorney, Hannibal Heredia. "It made me feel that they wanted to have that out there - they're putting their necks on the line."
The ruling stems from the bitter 2007 divorce of Eric Duane Mongerson and Sandy Kay Ehlers Mongerson, who were married 21 years and had four children.
In court arguments, Sandy Mongerson's attorney claimed the father subjected the children to an "array of violent, sexual, abusive and wholly inappropriate conduct" during a trip to Arkansas and contended the father was in a series of affairs with other men while still married.
Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards awarded Sandy Mongerson custody of the couple's three minor children in the final divorce decree, and her ex-husband was granted limited visitation.
The judge also issued a blanket order banning Eric Mongerson from "exposing the children to his homosexual partners and friends."
Edwards said in his ruling that he was not judging the father based on his sexual orientation, but that his decision was meant to reflect "the trauma inflicted upon the children" during the trip to Arkansas.
The Georgia Supreme Court, though, flatly disagreed. The 10-page ruling concluded Edwards had no evidence that the ban was needed, and that his ruling assumed the children would suffer harm from contact with gays and lesbians associated with their father.
Without such evidence, Benham wrote, "the trial court abused its discretion when it imposed such a restriction on (the) husband's visitation rights."
Sandy Mongerson's attorney, Lance McMillian, said the mother does not plan to appeal.
"My client is interested in putting it behind her," he said. "Other than that, we don't have anything to say about it."
Georgia's gay rights groups, meanwhile, were more effusive. Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality praised the top court's ruling as a dose of "common sense and fair mindedness."
"It clearly does show that if justice is to rule in what's in the best interest of the child, rulings based upon prejudice and bias are not in the best interest of the child," he said.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
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