With the experience of handling thousands of trucking cases and claims for companies of all sizes, we have seen it all. We deal with DOT investigations and inspections, work with accident re-constructionists and respond to the scene of major accidents throughout the country. The Attorneys of Meadows & Macie advise clientele in a variety of transactional matters affecting the business structure of health care providers, including:

• corporate organization
• corporate governance
• contract preparation
• joint ventures
• partnerships
• real property matters
• corporate and partnership tax issues
Governmental Law
Governance
Provide education, facilitation, general representation and support to Governing Boards in meeting their constitutional, statutory and due diligence requirements.
By-Laws, Policies, Regulations, and Ordinances
Assist in reviewing, drafting, revising and enforcing Governing Board regulations
Open Meetings / Open Records
Provide "real world" experience and advice in dealing with the demands of the Georgia OM/OR statutes.
Litigation and Risk Management
Provide direct representation; representation through insurers; coordination of insurance representation and response to 3rd party litigation. (subpoenas, discovery, depositions, etc.)

Our attorneys provide assistance and advice to health care providers with respect to numerous areas of law, including general corporate Graphics health care issues, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other affiliations, corporate compliance, tax-exempt status and finance, antitrust, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, managed care contracting, internal and governmental investigations, civil and administrative defense, planning with respect to the Anti-kickback Statute, the Stark Law and related statutes, physician contracting and recruitment, credentialing, peer review and other medical staff matters, certificate of need and labor and employment.

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Family law (also known as "domestic relations" law) is a highly specialized practice area. Attorneys Terri Sutton (Partner) and Jim Macie ("Of Counsel") have significant experience handling all areas of domestic law, including:

• Divorce
• Property Division
• Alimony
• Custody and Parenting Time
• Child Support
• Modification of Custody and Support
• Post-Decree Enforcement (Contempt)
• Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
• Paternity and Legitimation
• Adoption
• Family Violence (Restraining and Protective Orders)
• Collaborative Law
• Mediation and Arbitration

Each divorce case involves difference circumstances and legal issues. Terri and Jim have, combined, decades of experience in navigating our clients through this difficult process and handling whatever challenges may arise, be they custody or financially related. We empathize with the intense emotions our clients often experience, yet we are committed to practicing reasonable and sensible law and providing objective advice as to how to achieve the best possible outcome. If that requires litigation, our attorneys are highly skilled and effective in the courtroom.
(Return to Top) Georgia is an "equitable division of property" state which generally means that property acquired during the marriage will be divided in a manner that is fair, taking into account a number of relevant factors including the conduct of the parties, the separate estate of each party, the contribution of each party to the marriage, and the practice and custom of the parties with reference to their individual incomes.
(Return to Top) Alimony may be awarded on a temporary and permanent basis for the support and maintenance of either spouse in accordance with the needs of that spouse and ability of the other spouse to pay. If the court decides to award alimony, the amount awarded will take into account the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, the age and health of each party, the financial resources of each party, the contribution of each party to the marriage (including homemaking and child care), the separate estate and earning capacity of each party, the time needed for either party to acquire education or training to enable him or her to find employment, and any other relevant factor the court regards as fair and proper to consider. Alimony may be awarded in cash or in property and it may be payable periodically or in a lump sum.

In Georgia, there is not a mathematical formula for calculating the amount of alimony a spouse might receive. The judge or jury has significant discretion in determining the amount of an alimony award. Our domestic relations attorneys have extensive experience in negotiation and litigating alimony issues before judges and juries.
(Return to Top) Georgia courts have the authority to determine physical and legal custody of the children and the appropriate parenting time for each parent. These issues will be decided according to the child's best interest, thus giving the court broad discretion in making such determinations.

We believe that custody battles in court should be avoided, if at all possible. However, where a child's well-being depends on a parenting plan that cannot be achieved through negotiation, we will be thoroughly prepared and ready to conduct a hearing or trial on the custody issues. Our domestic relations attorneys have the experience necessary to handle difficult custody cases, and to guide parents through this emotionally difficult process while always staying focused on the ultimate goal of ensuring that the child's best interests are promoted and protected.
(Return to Top) Georgia law makes both parents responsible for their children's financial support. In 2007, Georgia adopted new statutory guidelines for determining child support and apportioning each parent's financial responsibility for their child. Our attorneys have experience and training that you can rely on in calculating child support under the guidelines and handling any related child support issues.
(Return to Top) Georgia law allows a party to modify an existing custody and/or support order upon a substantial change in circumstances. Although a division of property is not modifiable, alimony and child support may be modifiable, either upward or downward, provided there has been a substantial change in income or financial status of either party. Once this threshold requirement is met, the payor's alimony and/or child support obligation may be reconsidered under the appropriate standards.

Custody may also be modified subject to a threshold showing that there has been a material change of condition substantially affecting the interests and welfare of the child and that the proposed change is in the best interest of the child. A parent can also modify a parenting plan upon a showing that the proposed change is in the best interest of the child regardless of whether there has been a material change of condition substantially affecting the interests and welfare of the child. Our domestic relations attorneys can evaluation your case and advise you on whether, and to what extent, your prior order can or should be modified.
(Return to Top) When a party willfully fails to comply with an alimony, child support, or custody order, the law authorizes the filing of a contempt action to enforce the order. Upon a finding of contempt, the offender can be ordered to comply with the order or face incarceration. The court can also order the offender to pay the other side's attorneys fees. We have experience representing clients seeking enforcement of prior orders, as well as those clients defending such actions.
(Return to Top) Before or after the wedding, Georgia law allows a couple to enter into their own contract setting forth their financial obligations during the marriage, after termination of the marriage, or upon the death of a spouse. Such an agreement is commonly used to protect property that one or both parties owned prior to the marriage from becoming divided upon divorce, but it can also be effectively used to protect gifts from family members or to guard a personal interest in a family business. Prenuptial agreements are also being used increasingly as estate planning vehicles to protect future inheritances of adult children in the event of remarriage later in life. A properly drafted prenuptial or postnuptial agreement may allow a couple to separate and divorce promptly and without a costly legal battle.

Our experienced lawyers can help you determine whether a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement is appropriate for your circumstances and, if so, we can provide the guidance and representation necessary in negotiating such an agreement.
(Return to Top) There are a number of legal issues that arise when a child is born to parents who are not married. Our attorneys have expertise and experience in representing mothers and fathers in these situations and handling all legal issues such actions entail.

For instance, prior to legitimation of a child born out of wedlock, the mother is entitled to custody of the child and to exercise all parental power over the child. The father may seek custody and/or parenting rights through a legitimation suit. In such case, the court can declare the child legitimate, specify the child's name, and order the child and father capable of inheriting from each other.

The mother may obtain child support from the father through a paternity suit. Upon a finding or acknowledgement that the alleged father is the biological father of the child, the court may issue an order designating him as the father of the child and imposing a child support obligation upon him.
(Return to Top) Adoption requires an experienced attorney to assist the prospective adoptive parents in understanding Georgia law and providing advice on how to move through the adoptive process. Every adoption is as unique as the family that seeks the adoption; thus each adoption requires an individual approach to meet the needs of the adoptive parents. There are many types of adoptions available in Georgia, including agency, independent, step-parent, relative, international and adult adoptions. We are happy to help any prospective parents, including single parents and non-traditional families, who need assistance with the adoption process.
(Return to Top) Safety concerns can become an issue in any domestic litigation. Upon the filing of a verified petition alleging that an act of family violence occurred in the past and is likely to occur in the future, the court is authorized to enter a temporary protective order. The temporary protective order serves to provide relief appropriate to the particular circumstances, including (but not limited to) restraining the offending party from committing future acts of family violence or otherwise harassing or interfering with the petitioner, granting the petitioner exclusive use and possession of the family residence or requiring the offending party to provide alternate housing to the petitioner and children, awarding temporary custody to the petitioner, and awarding temporary financial support to the petitioner. If the court finds that a family violence petition is supported by evidence, a temporary protective order is immediately entered and a hearing is scheduled to determine whether the protective order should be extended or modified.

Sometimes, a person may find themselves a victim of a false claim of family violence. Regardless of whether such allegation is founded, an individual in such a situation should promptly obtain legal representation. Our attorneys are seasoned in providing legal counsel, support, and assistance in this most difficult situation.
(Return to Top) The collaborative approach to family law offers a new avenue to resolving issues incident to a divorce without litigation and in a manner that promotes cooperation, positive negotiation and amicable resolution. Although every case is not suited for collaborative law, Terri Sutton is trained in the collaborative process and has successfully participated in a number collaborative cases, enabling her to provide this alternative approach to our clients.
(Return to Top) Our family law attorneys are experienced in all areas of alternative dispute resolution and, whenever possible, seek to exhaust these options in exploring settlement possibilities and resolve cases efficiently, while always advocating for and protecting our clients' interests. We are experienced mediation and arbitration and can guide our clients through these alternative dispute resolution processes.
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Coming soon.