Most Atlanta area Court hearings are held remotely by Zoom or WebEx.  Hindson & Melton has processed COVID divorces with great success, settling cases promptly and efficiently when the parties are motivated to get it done.  Mediations are conducted safely and remotely with each party and lawyer dialing in from their preferred location – home or office.  Our experience during COVID has been that lawyers have cooperated to try to accommodate each individual’s health and safety concerns and cooperated to try to achieve out-of-court settlements acceptable to all.  Court personnel are appreciative of the parties working to resolve their issues cooperatively, saving judicial resources for cases that need emergency attention and intervention.  In our experience, the metro Atlanta Courts are processing our settlement agreements and issuing final divorce decrees quickly.  Where a final hearing is needed, the Courts have scheduled virtual hearings and ruled on the spot so the case can be finalized.

Are both parties required to have attorneys to get a divorce?  Not necessarily.  Ethically, an attorney can represent only one side of a divorce case.  Representing both parties would be a conflict of interest for the lawyer.  However, it is possible for one party to be unrepresented during settlement discussions if he or she is comfortable doing so – reserving the right to have a separate attorney review settlement documents prior to committing to the terms.

An experienced attorney can help you “cut to the chase” on financial and parenting issues.  Having a good idea of what would happen if you went to Court gives you information you need to resolve the case by agreement – often saving thousands of dollars in attorneys fees.

Hindson & Melton is open for business.  We can meet with you in person at the office in a large socially-distanced conference room (with masks), outside in our office courtyard seating area, over the phone, or via Zoom.  Call 770-939-3936 to schedule an appointment with Karen Hindson, or 770-512-8383 to schedule an appointment with Joy Melton.  We look forward to serving your legal needs with forthright advice, kindness, and compassion.

Karen S. Hindson 9-4-2020

Personal estate planning notebook for key information

Start a notebook for your family with information that would be important if you die or are suddenly incapacitated. Brainstorm and jot down initial thoughts and begin to collect information in your personal estate planning notebook. There is no better way to demonstrate your love than planning for your family’s future.

Key people and recent account statements

You will have important names and contact information, such as financial and legal advisors and insurance agents. Include a recent statement for every investment account, retirement account, bank account, and dividend reinvestment account you own. Replacing the statements in your notebook quarterly is ideal, but update them at least annually.

What about online accounts?

People conduct personal business online these days. Periodically print a statement for each online account if you do not receive hard copies by mail. For accounts that you have closed or transferred, either remove the statement from your notebook or make an annotation about the disposition of the account.

Stock certificates

Photocopies of any stock certificates or bonds for which you have the actual certificates or bonds, including all stock split certificates.  For stocks held in “dividend reinvestment plans” (DRIPs), a copy of the most recent account statement from the transfer agent for each account.

Safety deposit box

If you have a safety deposit box, include the location of the box, who has access, and consider a current list of contents or box inventory.

Where are the originals of your Will and any Trusts?

Include the identity and location of your original estate planning documents such as your last will and testament and any codicils, and trusts for which you are the grantor, trustee, or beneficiary.

Living will and powers of attorney

A copy of your living will and health care power of attorney (or Georgia advance directive for health care) should be included in your notebook along with the location of the originals.  In South Carolina, the living will is called a declaration of desire for natural death.   Also include the location of your durable power of attorney or financial power of attorney, and any designation or nomination of guardian.

Insurance – life and disability

For life or disability insurance, record the name of the issuing company, the policy number, and include a copy of the policy “declaration page” or summary sheet in your notebook. Note the location of the original documents and any helpful points of contact.

Family information

If you have family members living overseas or geographically dispersed, it might be helpful to list their addresses and contact information.  If you have a deceased  spouse or child, include a death certificate.

Other responsibilities

Are there are others who should be notified if you die? Do you have responsibilities to third parties or charitable organizations?  Are you a guardian or trustee or attorney-in-fact for someone else?

What if I own a business and I die or am incapacitated?

If you own a business or are self employed you will need to include information in your notebook such as how to access your accounts payable and receivable, information about work in progress and customer or client information. What would need to happen if you died suddenly or were disabled?

Business succession and estate planning information

Your personal estate planning documents are probably insufficient to deal with a business, especially if you operate as a corporation, LLC, or partnership. Your executor or heirs need to have proof of your ownership and rights to the business. They also need copies of any shareholder agreements or buy-sell agreements.

Anyone acting on behalf of your business after you die, or once you become incapacitated, must have proper legal authority in order to access business bank accounts or take other action on behalf of the business. Proper planning for business succession or disability is critically important if your family depends on income from your business. An estate planning and business attorney can help identify and address your specific business needs.  Business owners frequently are “too busy” to plan for such contingencies.   Take the time necessary to plan for your possible death or disability.

Copies of Last Will and Testament and any Trusts?

You may want to include an information copy of some, or all, planning documents in your estate planning notebook. This will depend in part on whether you have transparency with the individuals who might see your notebook from time to time. Remember that your heirs would need the original documents to act, so don’t lose track of the location of your originals, and be certain to record this information. If you have concerns that a document might “disappear” or be destroyed by someone displeased with the content, speak with your attorney about ways to safeguard your document.  Good planning makes for good results.

Real property whether owned individually, jointly, or in trust

List any real properties in which you own an interest, including address, county, state, country. List the names of any co-owners. If property is owned by a trust, list the name of the trust and the location of the trust document. A photocopy of the actual warranty deed to each property is ideal; it will help your advisors confirm whether the property is titled individually, joint with rights of survivorship, in joint tenancy, or owned by an entity such as a business or limited partnership.

Tax basis

If you have information about the tax basis for any specific property or investment, include that information or documentation or its location.

Loans and promissory note documents and payment info

If you have loaned money to family members or others, include copies of loan documents such as signed promissory notes, and a record of any payments received. Also, make sure your last will and testament or trust is clear if you consider certain transfers or gifts to your children as advances against their inheritance. Your estate planning attorney can help you accomplish your goals with appropriate documents.

Password and login for email and social media

For email accounts, online “cloud” repositories, bank or investment accounts, and all social media accounts, your estate planning notebook should probably include your login information including current passwords. This information must be preserved somewhere.  Your executor, trustee, or heirs will need access to this information if you die. Your loved ones might need this information if you are incapacitated. Be sure to keep this list current, since we all change passwords frequently.

Protect the security of your information — weigh the risks

How do you keep information in your estate planning notebook safe? As you have undoubtedly recognized, a person with the information in your notebook could potentially wreak havoc with your estate — or loot your accounts using your passwords. As a result, you must consider this security risk when creating and managing your estate planning notebook — and weigh the benefits of collecting and storing this information against the risks inherent in having the information assembled in one place. You can brainstorm with your lawyer and loved ones about security measures appropriate for your family’s information.

Family considerations in sharing estate planning information

While it would be most excellent if all families had only mature, responsible, reliable, and trustworthy members, that is not always the case. Most families have a strained or broken relationship, sibling rivalries, an immature or irresponsible member, or other family dynamic that should be taken into account in estate planning.   Your estate plan is YOURS, so don’t let your kids or other family members pressure you into planning decisions you don’t like.  The contents of your estate planning documents (if not the location) may need to remain totally private until after your death, depending on your individual circumstances.   Family issues are important when deciding where to safeguard your original documents and with whom to share the information described in this article.  Sometimes a trusted friend or advisor plays a role in safeguarding your information.

Second marriages – blended families – special needs information

Second marriages and blended families will have additional issues to consider, not only in the estate planning process but also in information collection, storage, and sharing. Families with a special needs member may want to add a narrative to their notebook with helpful information about the special needs individual and his or her likes, dislikes, challenges, strengths, and sources of joy. This could be enormously important under the right circumstances.

Frequent updates

Once you create your estate planning notebook, please keep it up to date. If you don’t, unnecessary confusion or suspicion amongst family members might be the result. I recommend updating your estate planning notebook quarterly; put it on your calendar “to do” list. You will be surprised how often things change and how easy updates are, once you have the notebook in place. You may even find yourself addressing issues you have avoided once you begin this process!

Copyright Karen S. Hindson, Hindson & Melton LLC – February 2, 2014, updated February 3, 2017

ALSO SEE:

• ESTATE TAXES AND IRAs
• USING A TRUST TO PLAN FOR YOUR INCAPACITY
• IRREVOCABLE LIFE INSURANCE TRUSTS

There are lots of cases in Georgia that say that custody “automatically” goes to the surviving parent when the custodial parent dies.  The judge cannot award custody to someone else without good reason.  Examples of good reason include abandonment, cruel treatment, termination of parental rights, or present unfitness of the surviving parent.  The cases say that a clear and strong case must be made to deprive the surviving parent of custody.

What if the dying custodial parent gives the child to third parties while still alive?  Case precedent says the surviving parent still has priority for custody upon the death of the custodial parent.   Unfitness must be established by clear and satisfactory proof, not merely that the child would have better financial, educational, or even moral advantages with third party custodian.  Would the children suffer physical or emotional harm if custody remained with the surviving parent?

What should you do if you are terminally ill and know that your child’s other parent is unfit to have custody if you die?  The best solution would be to file a petition with the court prior to your death in order to allow the court to consider the present unfitness of the parent likely to survive – and ask the court to award custody (perhaps joint custody pending your death) to a relative or other third party based on clear and convincing evidence that the other parent is not fit.  Otherwise, upon your death, the surviving parent would be the legal custodian by operation of law.

Is there anything else you can do to prevent this scenario from happening?  A recent Georgia Supreme Court case suggests a course of action.  Entrekin v. Friedman, 294 Ga. 429, decided January 21, 2014,  involved a situation where the father died, and members of his family took custody of the child and refused to give the child to the mother.  The mother brought a “habeas corpus” action in court asking for an order that the relative turn the child over to her.  Meanwhile, the father’s sister filed her own petition for custody of the child.  The trial judge denied the mom’s habeas corpus petition and awarded temporary custody of the minor child to the paternal aunt.  The mother appealed.

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the trial judge’s decision based on an interesting factual twist.  The Supreme Court agreed that the mother was entitled – at least presumptively – to custody of the child following the death of her former husband.  However, the existing custody order for the child awarded physical custody of the child to the father, and the existing parenting plan specifically addressed the possibility that the father might not survive until the child was grown.  The parenting plan entered by the parties as part of their divorce expressed the “desire of the parents” that the paternal aunt of the child have physical custody in the event the father died.  That parenting plan had been approved by the Court and made a part of the final decree of divorce between the parties!

The presumption that a surviving parent is entitled to custody can be overcome by clear and convincing evidence that the surviving parent is unfit.  In the Entrekin case, the trial court found that the mother was unfit to be the child’s custodian.  The evidence was that the mom had struggled with alcohol and prescription drug addiction, had been convicted of DUI, had endangered children by driving under the influence, had violated her probation, and had recently taken prescription pain medication without telling her doctor she was a recovering addict. Under the divorce parenting plan, she had supervised visitation.  Even though the mom had access to the child’s school and medical records, she was unaware of the child’s special needs.  This was enough to establish clear and convincing evidence of her present unfitness to have custody.

What ideas can we take from this case?  First, if you are getting a divorce from someone who had serious addiction issues or any other issues that would warrant supervised visitation, consider a provision for third party custody in the event of your death as part of your divorce parenting plan.  (Even if you are perfectly healthy.)  If the plan is approved by the court and made the order of the court at the time of the divorce, that order would give the third party some legal standing to take immediate custody in the event of your untimely death.

If you are terminally ill, consider addressing the custody issue while you are still alive.  Even if you are too sick to go to Court, a guardian ad litem could be appointed for your child, and the third party relative could file the petition.

I have always advised my clients who have serious concerns about what happens to their child if they die to create an “if I die” packet of information for their relatives.  This packet could include copies of important evidence that you have collected over the years about the other parent’s unfitness.  This would give the third party hoping to be awarded custody a starting place for a court action.  Criminal information, facebook postings, recordings, correspondence, e-mails, and anything else you consider relevant could be included in your packet.  Think about what you know that would be helpful.  Think about who else knows this information and include names and contact information of witnesses.  For more information see here.

Finally, if you have relatives that you feel strongly should NEVER have custody of your child or be left alone with your child under any circumstances, you should address that also.  Last Wills and Testament often include provisions nominating a guardian for minor children in the event you are not survived by the other parent.  You can also specifically state in your Last Will and Testament that under no circumstances should a certain relative be awarded custody of your child or left alone with your child.  If there are unfitness reasons for your views, you may want to create a package of information as suggested in the paragraph just above detailing why.  The reason could be concerns about child abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, addiction, or any other reason important to you.

These ideas are offered to provoke thought for those who have concerns.  Your specific situation should be addressed with an experienced lawyer who does family law and estate planning, either at Hindson & Melton or the lawyer of your choosing.  Thanks.

© Karen S. Hindson, Dunwoody law firm Hindson and Melton LLC, June 21, 2014

ALSO SEE:

• GEORGIA CHILD CUSTODY
• GRANDPARENT VISITATION RIGHTS UPDATE
• CUSTODY BATTLE BETWEEN GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT

Limited Power of Attorney to access safe deposit box for estate planning purposes. If you have stock certificates or savings bonds in a safety deposit box, a limited power of attorney may authorize an individual to access these documents prior to your death.

Power of attorney to make estate planning gifts. You may wish to authorize someone to make gifts of your property on your behalf in the event of your incapacity. This can be accomplished by appropriate language in your power of attorney. The gifting language can be tailored to meet your planning goals or special situations.

Do Not Resuscitate orders, where appropriate for your estate planning.  Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a set of physician orders that can “travel” with a patient and be used by any Georgia health care provider to carry out the patient’s medical advance directives. This set of medical orders provides guidance regarding desired medical interventions.  It is particularly useful for the very ill or elderly who have limited ability to communicate their Do Not Resuscitate wishes to health care providers.

Discuss these Georgia estate planning tips, or brainstorm other strategies to address your specific needs with your Georgia estate planning attorney.

© Karen S. Hindson, Hindson & Melton LLC

Did your children attend private school during the marriage?  Your Atlanta divorce lawyer will ask you this question, because if your children have attended private school throughout their education, it is more likely that a judge will be sympathetic to their continuing in private school after divorce.

If your child is currently in private school, what is the reason he or she was enrolled?   How is the child doing in the current school environment?

Will it create a financial hardship for the child to attend private school?

Which parent is authorized to make final educational decisions under the Parenting Plan?  The parent  with custody, or the parent with final decision-making authority for education, is authorized  to make the decision about private school versus public school.  But note that the issue of paying for private school is separate from the authority to make a decision to attend.   If the custodial parent expects the other parent to pay for part or all of private school tuition and expenses, that financial obligation must be explicitly spelled out in the court’s order or in the settlement agreement.  If as a custodial parent you agree for the other parent to have final decision-making regarding education, be certain that the other parent also has the obligation to pay for private school if he or she makes that choice.

Private school education and the right to make decisions about  it, and the responsibility to pay for it, can be included in the divorce Parenting Plan and child support terms of the divorce. Discuss your specific questions or concerns with your divorce lawyer.

© Karen Hindson, Hindson & Melton LLC – February 26, 2015

ALSO SEE:

• Parenting Plan
• Joint Custody
• Child Custody

Funding a Roth IRA for teenager with earned income…   #coolthings

10,000 steps a day   #coolthings

Revocable trust income taxed to the grantor (at grantor tax rates, not trust tax rates) during lifetime under grantor trust rules if grantor or spouse is trustee   #coolthings 

Dunwoody Police Department   #coolthings

Stepped up basis for assets transferred at death to fair market value at owner’s date of death…   #coolthings

Paying it forward…  #coolthings

Holding Georgia principal residence in a revocable trust doesn’t change your eligibility for homestead real property tax exemption    #coolthings

Anonymous good deeds    #coolthings

Revocable trust a good tool for disability/incapacity planning   #coolthings 

No drama   #coolthings

Revocable trust a great tool if you own property in several states   #coolthings

SEC football   #coolthings

Do it before the new year   #coolthings

If you want what normal people have, do what normal people do.   We’ve got to stop making a dent and start making a difference.  #coolthings

Karen Hindson,  Hindson & Melton LLC,   November 9, 2014

What is Intimate Partner Violence?

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is defined in the 2009 protocol as “a pattern of coercive behavior including physical, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse of one partner by the other partner.  This includes the establishment of power and control by one partner over another in the context of a current or past intimate or romantic relationship.”  Often, victims are embarrassed to admit the truth to friends or family. This is especially true if the victim is not willing to separate from the offender or call law enforcement.  The victim may be afraid of threats made by the abuser, the victim may believe the abuser’s promises to change, or the victim may be financially dependent on the abuser and see no way out.

Mandatory Reporters

Georgia law makes physicians, nurses, security personnel, and others involved in patient care at a medical facility “mandatory reporters”.    If a mandatory reporter has cause to believe that a patient’s injury or injuries are not accidental, they are required to notify local law enforcement.  The Georgia statute that establishes the duty to report, OCGA §31-7-9,  also gives the reporter immunity from liability for reporting.

Legal Definition of Family Violence

How does Georgia law define family violence?  It goes beyond violence between intimate partners or spouses.  The law is OCGA§19-3-1; it includes past or  present spouses, parents of the same child, parents and children, foster parents and children, stepparents and children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household.  Any felony, simple battery, simple assault, battery or assault, stalking, criminal damage to property, unlawful restraint, or criminal trespass can constitute family violence and is a crime.

Leaving a violent relationship can be a difficult and dangerous process.  Safety planning is key and resources are available to help.

Georgia Commission on Family Violence Screening Protocol for Medical Facilities

Georgia intimate partner violence screening protocol guidelines include:

• an injury not likely to be caused by the event reported
• an injury occurring during pregnancy
• seeking treatment for an injury one or two days after the incident
• minimizing the seriousness or frequency of injury
• multiple injuries in various stages of healing
• repeated visits to medical providers or emergency  departments, especially if the severity of injury is increasing
• attempted suicide, drug overdose, or self-mutilation
• an overly aggressive or attentive partner
• undetermined sources of medical or psychological complaints, unexplained illnesses or pains, sleep disorders or lack of appetite.

Family Violence Hotline

There is a 24 hour hotline for emergency shelter or information on family violence, dial 1-800-799-SAFE.

Your familiarity with the indicators of intimate partner violence could save a life.  Know the signs.

© Karen S. Hindson, Hindson & Melton LLC, November 8, 2014

ALSO SEE:

• Custody When One Parent Dies
• Georgia Separation versus Divorce
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The good news is that Georgia Department of Public Health has created a form called Physician Orders for Life-SustainingTreatment – Georgia DPH Form - that DOES allow the doctor to consider an Advance Directive previously signed by the patient in making the decision to order a DNR.   So, armed with the patient’s properly completed Georgia Advance Directive, you should be able to have the DNR order issued if you are the patient’s health care power of attorney or health care agent under appropriate circumstances.  A copy of the Georgia Department of Health POLST form is provided; more information on the POLST is available at the Georgia DPH website.

This issue underscores the importance of every adult thoughtfully completing an Advance Directive for Health Care.  These forms normally are completed as part of your estate planning or Last Will and Testament preparation, or they can be completed separately.   A link to the Georgia statutory Advance Directive for Health Care form  is provided on our firm’s estate planning resources page.  Consult Hindson & Melton LLC or other estate planning attorney for more information.

Karen S. Hindson – Hindson & Melton LLC, October 28, 2014

ALSO SEE

• USING A TRUST TO PLAN FOR YOUR INCAPACITY
• IMPORTANCE OF ESTATE PLANNING
• EAT  YOUR ESTATE PLANNING VEGETABLES

• Alcohol Damages the Teenage Brain
• Parents Who Host Lose the Most Brochure

The website SaveBrains.org has good information for both parents and teenagers; not limited to a Georgia audience.

Educated parents and community leaders are equipped to make wise choices and teach our children well.

Karen S. Hindson, Hindson & Melton LLC, June 27, 2014

ALSO SEE:

• FAMILY LAW AND THE ART OF CRITICAL DECISION MAKING
• IMPORTANCE OF ESTATE PLANNING
• MAGICAL THINKING