Our Mediation Practice Areas
The legal system often intersects with family life, presenting challenges that extend beyond personal realms. Family law, which encompasses divorce, child custody, and adoption, requires a nuanced approach, particularly when parties seek amicable resolutions. Phillips & Sellers, P.C. boast over two decades of experience in family law, with a special focus on mediation—a process designed to resolve disputes efficiently and cooperatively.
Specialized Mediation Services
At the heart of our mediation practice is the commitment to fostering understanding and agreement between parties. Our mediators are skilled at navigating the complexities of family law, guiding participants through discussions to reach mutually beneficial agreements. Unlike traditional litigation, mediation empowers individuals to control the outcomes of their disputes, with our mediators serving as neutral facilitators to ensure a fair and respectful process.
Our approach to mediation is grounded in confidentiality, neutrality, and voluntary participation. We recognize the importance of a safe space where parties can openly discuss and negotiate the terms of their resolution. Our mediators are trained to manage sensitive issues with the utmost care, ensuring that the interests and well-being of all involved, especially children, are prioritized.
The Benefits of Choosing Mediation
Mediation offers numerous advantages over court litigation, including reduced stress, lower costs, and faster resolution times. By choosing mediation with Phillips and Sellers, parties can avoid the adversarial nature of court proceedings, instead working collaboratively towards solutions that respect the interests of all involved. Our mediation services are tailored to the unique needs of each family, ensuring a personalized and effective resolution process.
Moreover, our mediation practice emphasizes the importance of an informed decision-making process. We provide parties with all necessary legal information and encourage the consideration of all options, empowering them to make decisions that are in their best interests and those of their families.
Your Trusted Mediation Partners in Columbus, GA
Choosing the right path for resolving family disputes is crucial. Phillips & Sellers, P.C. are dedicated to offering a mediation process that is not only effective but also compassionate and respectful. Our founders, Scott Phillips and Angela Sellers, bring a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for family law mediation, treating each case with the personalized attention it deserves.
Practice Areas
Our primary areas of legal experience and expertise
Family Law FAQ
The child’s biological mother either has to consent to the guardianship or be served with legal notice of the Petition for Guardianship. The child’s legal father has to consent to the guardianship or be served with legal notice of the Petition for Guardianship. A legal father is defined as a father who was married to the mother of the child at birth or a father that is listed on the birth certificate or who has filed an action to legitimate the child.
A child 14 years or older must consent to guardianship.
An adoption is filed in the county of residence of the person(s) who is adopting the child. You must have lived in that county for at least six (6) months prior to the filing of the adoption.
In Georgia, you must be 25 years of age or over or married and living with your spouse. You must be at least 10 years older than the child. If you are married, you must file jointly to adopt. There is no length of marriage requirement in Georgia. In Alabama, you must be 19 years of age or older. If you are married, you must file jointly. If you are the step-parent attempting to adopt your spouse’s child, you must be married for over one year before filing an adoption.
A licensed agent interviews and investigates the adoption petitioner to determine if the petitioner is physically, financially and emotionally capable of adopting a child. The agent looks at your home, your finances, and your criminal background and makes a report to the Judge to determine if the adoption is in the best interest of the child. The cost in Georgia for the home study is approximately $250.00. The cost in Alabama is more expensive but varies.
In Georgia, a home-study evaluation is required in all adoption cases except step-parent adoptions. In step-parent adoptions, the person petitioning for adoption will have to submit to a criminal background check in lieu of a complete home-study evaluation.
The fees vary depending on the complexity of the adoption. If both birth parents consent to the adoption, the adoption is considered uncontested and less expensive.
Choose Phillips and Sellers: Your Trusted Family Law Advocates in Columbus, GA
Selecting the right legal representation in family matters is crucial. At Phillips & Sellers, P.C., we prioritize your family’s well-being, offering personalized, compassionate, and skilled advocacy. Our founders, Scott Phillips and Angela Sellers, are not just passionate about family law; they embody dedication in every case, treating clients with the care and respect deserving of family.
Resources & Documentation
In certain circumstances, we lawyers will need clients to provide us with documentation at the time we commence our representation or later during the natural flow of the case. This documentation may include marriage licenses, birth certificates, proof of income, certified documents from previous litigation and other kinds of public records. Below is a list of websites where such information can be obtained as well as links to required parenting seminars, child support calculators and other information that prospective or current clients may find helpful.
- Pastoral Institute – Seminar for Divorcing Parents (Georgia)
- Transparenting Seminar (Alabama)
- Alabama Child Support Calculators
- Georgia Child Support Calculators
- Alabama Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses and Divorce Certificates
- Georgia Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses and Divorce Certificates
- Military Pay Tables
- Muscogee County Deed Records and Court Dockets