Practice Areas of Atlanta Attorney Barbara E. Keon

FAMILY LAW

 

DIVORCE

When a marriage ends in divorce it is imperative to address legal issues of custody and property division while being sensitive to the emotions each client experiences in going through the dissolution of their marriage.  Barbara E. Keon approaches each client’s divorce with sensitivity and pragmatism.  With over 20 years experience in family law, Barbara E. Keon strives to give each client the best advice regarding options of settlement and probable outcomes in trial so that the client can make informed decisions regarding their children and assets.

CUSTODY

In deciding custody, the Courts look to the “best interests” of the children.  Barbara E. Keon tries to guide her clients to do the same.  In custody disputes, Barbara E. Keon has successfully helped men and women obtain custody through thorough preparation, use of outside resources such as guardians ad litem and psychological evaluations when appropriate, and tenacious advocacy both in and out of the Courtroom.

CONTEMPT

When a party fails to obey a Final Decree of Divorce by failing to pay a support obligation or follow a visitation schedule, Barbara E. Keon has successfully obtained compliance and recovered attorneys’ fees through the filing of a Contempt action.

MODIFICATION OF SUPPORT AND CUSTODY

Periodic alimony and child support can be modified when financial circumstances change.  Custody can be modified when there is a material change in condition adversely impacting a child and it is in the child’s best interest.  Barbara E. Keon has successfully represented clients in changing their Final Decrees on support and custody issues.

PATERNITY

When a Mother wants to establish the legal Father of her child to receive child support or a Father wishes to establish his legal right to visitation, Barbara Keon can file a paternity lawsuit.

LEGITIMATION

When a Father wishes to establish his legal rights to a child born out of wedlock, Barbara Keon can file a legitimation action to establish custodial rights.

PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS

Pre-marital agreements are enforceable contracts in Georgia when properly and clearly drafted.  Barbara Keon has drafted pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements protecting assets brought into the marriage such as real estate, businesses and money so that these are not lost in a subsequent divorce.

MEDIATION

As a divorce mediator in Atlanta, Barbara E. Keon helps divorcing spouses reach agreement on a wide range of issues. Divorce mediation provides an opportunity for couples to work out their problems without the intervention of Judges or the stress and expense of trials. Sometimes, prior to hearing a contested divorce, the Judge may order both parties to attend mediation. Other times, spouses, in consultation with their attorneys, may decide that mediation is preferable to bringing the issues to court.