Family Law Services That Protect What Matters Most

Tannen Law Group handles every significant area of Georgia family law from a single office in Johns Creek, 6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425. Attorney David Tannen has practiced family law in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County Superior Courts since 1994. Attorney Kevin Markes brings trial-tested litigation experience from 500+ family law cases and a prior career as a criminal defense attorney in Illinois. Together they handle the full range of family law matters: from flat-fee uncontested divorces that resolve in 45 days to high-asset contested cases that require forensic accountants, business valuators, and Guardian ad Litem investigations.

Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.

Family Law Services. Quick Facts

Office: 6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425, Johns Creek, GA 30097

Phone: (470) 560-7798

Courts: Fulton County Superior Court, Gwinnett County Superior Court, Forsyth County Superior Court

Uncontested divorce: Flat fee from $5,000, finalizes in 45 to 60 days

Contested divorce: $7,500 retainer with hourly billing subtracted from your retainer depending on complexity and county timeline

Free consultation: 30 minutes with Attorney David Tannen, in person or Zoom

Response time: Within 2 hours during business hours

Reviews: 4.9 stars on Google (updated dynamically across the site)

Divorce

A Georgia divorce requires meeting a 6-month residency requirement, filing in the Superior Court of the respondent’s county, and resolving every contested issue before the judge issues a final decree. Uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree on property, custody, support, and debt, can finalize in 45 to 60 days with total attorney fees between $5,000 and $10,000. Contested divorces take 6 to 12 months and cost $7,500 retainer with hourly billing subtracted from your retainer or more depending on the county and the issues in dispute.

Tannen Law Group handles both paths. For straightforward cases, we offer flat-fee uncontested representation that covers every filing from the complaint through the final decree. For contested cases, we prepare as if the case is going to trial, because that preparation is what drives favorable settlements and produces results at trial when settlement fails.

Services within divorce representation:

 

  • Uncontested divorce: flat fee, 45 to 60 day resolution
  • Contested divorce litigation: Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County courts
  • High-asset divorce: business valuation, stock options, RSUs, executive compensation, forensic accounting
  • Asset division: marital vs. separate property, QDRO preparation, real estate portfolios
  • Spousal support: alimony calculation, modification, and enforcement in Georgia courts
  • Divorce settlement agreements: drafted for enforceability, not just closure

Talk to a Georgia Divorce Attorney

David Tannen has handled contested and uncontested divorces in North Atlanta since 2002. Kevin Markes brings former criminal trial intensity to every contested case.

Attorney reviewing legal documents during a family law consultation

Child Custody and Child Support

Georgia courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child under O.C.G.A. section 19-9-3. That standard requires demonstrating parenting involvement, stability, and the capacity to co-parent. It applies equally to fathers and mothers. Gender does not determine outcome. Facts and preparation do.

Tannen Law Group handles custody from parenting plan negotiation through contested custody trials. Kevin Markes specializes in contested custody: cross-examination of opposing parents, challenging Guardian ad Litem reports, and presenting custody cases to judges across Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth counties. David Tannen has obtained primary custody for fathers and mothers in disputed cases across all three counties.

Child support in Georgia follows an income-shares model under O.C.G.A. section 19-6-15. The calculation combines both parents’ gross incomes, applies a statutory table, and adjusts for health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses. For parents with business income, commission-based pay, or stock compensation, calculating income accurately requires forensic analysis. The inputs drive the outcome.

Services within custody and support:

  • Legal custody and physical custody determination
  • Parenting plan drafting and negotiation
  • Emergency custody orders: same-day filings when the child is at risk
  • Child support calculation, establishment, and enforcement
  • Fathers’ rights representation
  • Grandparents’ rights petitions
  • Legitimation for unmarried fathers seeking legal parental rights
  • Custody modifications when substantial change in circumstances exists
  • Child support modifications: job loss, income change, custody schedule change

Get an Honest Assessment of Your Custody Case

Kevin Markes has handled over 500 family law cases. David Tannen brings 30+ years of custody litigation experience in North Atlanta courts.

Protective Orders and Emergency Relief

Georgia courts can issue a Temporary Protective Order the same day a petition is filed when the evidence shows immediate danger. The petition goes to a judge for ex parte review. The respondent is not present. If the judge finds sufficient grounds, the TPO is issued immediately and law enforcement is authorized to enforce it on contact.

Tannen Law Group handles both sides of protective order proceedings. For petitioners seeking protection from domestic violence, stalking, or harassment, we prepare the petition, attend the ex parte hearing, and represent clients at the 30-day hearing where the TPO is either extended, modified, or dismissed. For respondents facing wrongful allegations, Kevin Markes applies his criminal trial background to cross-examination and evidence challenges. Under O.C.G.A. section 19-9-3(a)(3), a finding of family violence creates a rebuttable presumption against granting custody to the perpetrator. The stakes in contested TPO cases extend beyond the protective order itself.

Mediation and Settlement Negotiation

Approximately 90 to 95 percent of Georgia divorce and custody cases settle before trial. That statistic sounds reassuring until you understand that a bad settlement is often harder to fix than a trial loss. Property division is final once incorporated into the decree.

Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County courts all require mediation before scheduling trial in most contested cases. Tannen Law Group prepares for mediation the same way we prepare for trial: organized evidence, clear positions, and calculated flexibility on issues where compromise serves the client. The preparation is what makes opposing counsel take settlement offers seriously. An attorney who is clearly ready to try the case negotiates differently than one who is not.

Beyond court-ordered mediation, we handle ongoing settlement negotiation throughout every contested case via attorney-to-attorney proposal exchange that happens continuously from the initial filing through pre-trial conferences. Settlement can happen at any point. Most cases settle in the two to four weeks before the trial date, when the full cost and uncertainty of going to court becomes real for both sides.

Services within mediation and settlement:

  • Divorce mediation preparation and attendance
  • Custody mediation: parenting plan negotiation
  • Settlement negotiation: direct attorney-to-attorney
  • Divorce settlement agreement drafting and review
  • Mediation vs. litigation analysis for your specific case

Post-Divorce Modifications

Court orders issued at divorce or in standalone custody proceedings are based on facts as they existed at that moment. When those facts change significantly, Georgia law allows either party to petition for modification. The requesting party must show a substantial change in circumstances that justifies modifying the order. Courts do not modify orders simply because one party is dissatisfied.

Modifications are available for custody and parenting plans, child support obligations, and alimony. Each has its own legal standard and its own category of qualifying changes. Job loss, significant income increases, relocation, a child’s change in school or health needs, retirement, and remarriage are common triggers, but each must be analyzed against the specific language of the original order and the applicable Georgia statute before filing.

Tannen Law Group handles the full modifications practice. We assess whether your situation meets the legal standard before filing, which saves time and money compared to filing a petition that the court will deny. When modification is appropriate, we build the documentation that supports it and pursue the change efficiently.

Our Family Law Services

Divorce

Guiding you through dissolution with dignity and clarity.

High-Asset Divorce

Protecting substantial estates through complex divorce proceedings.

Child & Family Matters

Advocating for your children’s best interests in custody disputes.

Child Support

Ensuring fair financial support for your children’s wellbeing.

Protective Orders (TPO)

Immediate legal protection when safety is paramount.

Modifications

Adapting existing orders to reflect life’s changing circumstances.

Mediation

Reaching amicable resolutions outside the courtroom.

Contempt & Order Enforcement

Reaching amicable resolutions outside the courtroom.

Family Law Agreements

Drafting prenuptial, postnuptial, and separation agreements built to withstand challenge.

Why Families Trust Tannen Law Group

Experienced Legal Counsel

Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience in Georgia family law. We understand the nuances of local courts and draw on this knowledge to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients.

Personalized Attention

Every family's situation is unique. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances, concerns, and goals, crafting legal strategies that fit your needs rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.

Strategic Advocacy

Whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, we pursue the most effective path forward. Our approach balances aggressive advocacy with practical problem-solving to protect what matters most to you.

Transparent Communication

Legal proceedings can be overwhelming. We keep you informed at every step, explaining complex legal concepts in clear terms and ensuring you understand your options before making important decisions.

Results-Driven Representation

Your future is our priority. We combine thorough preparation, attention to detail, and courtroom experience to deliver results that safeguard your rights, your assets, and your family's wellbeing.

Ready to Move Forward?

Family law matters require timely action and experienced representation. The decisions you make today will impact your future for years to come. Let Tannen Law Group provide the skilled advocacy and compassionate guidance you deserve.