Legal Question in Family Law in Georgia

I've lost my baby ,Someone please help me !!!!

I live in Henry County and my case was held in Lowndes County. Me and my Ex-Girlfriend was together for 9 years since 1993. In 1996 I was given custody of my Sister's child from DFACS. In 1999, I adopted her on my own. I had a relationship with a woman and Fathered a child in 2000. My Ex-Girlfriend left that November and in April 2001, Me and my Daughter moved in with the woman that I fathered the child with. After a couple of weeks of being there,it didn't work out so I went to my Ex and ask to leave my Daughter here until I get situatied, and she agreed. Now I was in court For Petition for Divorce, and Custody for my daughter that I adopted. In November, they terminated my Rights to my child, and they also granted her a Common Law Divorce. They can't grant a Divorce where there was no Marriage, and she and her atty kept my child from me. I think I got a raw deal because I didn't have a Lawyer. If there is anyone out there who can help me please contact me because I really think that I have a strong because the courts should not have recognized a Common Law Marriage. She is all that I have.


Asked on 12/11/05, 5:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Glen Ashman Ashman Law Office also dba Glen Ashman Attorney

Re: I've lost my baby ,Someone please help me !!!!

Common law marriages commenced before January 1, 1997in Georgia are recognized. If you represented yourself, you had a duty to find out basic information like that.

I am not understanding why you are asking now. One cannot wait until they lose their own case and then get a second shot with a lawyer. You made an election that you were unwilling to hire counsel or didn't find your child important enough to spend money on keeping your child.

You do have 30 days from the date of a final order to file a motion for new trial (or in some cases appeal). Let that lapse and you usually have forever lost any options. I doubt most lawyers would accept a motion if you are within the 30 days as they would have to work from your work to date.

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Answered on 12/11/05, 11:07 am


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