Divorce & Family Law Attorney Serving Buford, Georgia
Buford is a growing community near Lake Lanier and the Mall of Georgia with approximately 17,000 residents. Attorney Kevin Markes grew up in Buford. He attended local schools, played sports in the community, and went to the University of Georgia before law school at the University of Illinois. When Kevin represents a Buford family in a custody dispute or divorce, he is not a stranger working from a downtown Atlanta high-rise. He knows the neighborhoods, the schools, the community dynamics, and the practical realities of raising children here. That personal connection is not marketing copy. It is Kevin’s actual biography. Buford residents primarily file in Gwinnett County Superior Court in Lawrenceville, about 15 minutes east.
Call or text (470) 560-7798 for a free consultation.
Talk to a Family Law Attorney Serving Buford
Attorney David Tannen has represented clients in Buford since 2002. Our office at 6455 East Johns Crossing is 25 min from Buford.
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Buford Family Law Quick Facts
- County: Gwinnett (primarily), some addresses in Hall County
- Courthouse: Gwinnett County Superior Court, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville (or Hall County Superior Court, Gainesville for Hall County addresses)
- Filing fee: approximately $245 to $250
- Contested timeline: 6 to 12 months (Gwinnett)
- Population: approximately 17,000
- Local connection: Kevin Markes grew up in Buford
- Nearby: Lake Lanier, Mall of Georgia
- Drive time from Tannen Law Group: about 20 minutes via I-985/I-85
Lake Lanier Property and Buford Divorce
Buford’s proximity to Lake Lanier adds a recreational dimension to property division that other cities do not have. Lake houses, boat docks, watercraft, jet skis, and club memberships at Lanier-area facilities are all assets that need valuation and assignment during divorce. The emotional attachment to a lake property often exceeds its appraised value, making negotiation around these assets more difficult than their market price might suggest.
A lake house that one spouse considers “my retreat” and the other considers “our family vacation home” produces a negotiation dynamic that purely financial analysis does not capture. We have handled Buford divorce cases involving Lake Lanier property and understand the practical challenges of valuing and dividing recreational real estate.
Beyond lake property, Buford’s housing market includes newer subdivisions in the $350,000 to $600,000 range near the Mall of Georgia and established neighborhoods closer to downtown Buford. Divorce cases here involve the standard North Atlanta financial issues: home equity, retirement accounts, dual incomes, and sometimes business ownership.
Buford Straddles County Lines
Most Buford addresses are in Gwinnett County (file in Lawrenceville, 6 to 12 month contested timeline). Some addresses near the northern edge fall in Hall County (file in Gainesville rather than Lawrenceville). A few addresses may fall in Forsyth County. We verify jurisdiction for every Buford client because the county determines the courthouse, the filing fee, and the timeline for your case.
Get Legal Help Near Buford
Whether you are facing divorce, custody, or a protective order, we handle cases in Gwinnett County courts. Free 30-minute consultation.
(470) 560-7798 | Schedule online
No obligation. We know Gwinnett County courthouse procedures.
A Local Attorney Who Knows Buford
Kevin Markes grew up in Buford. He went to local schools, played sports here, and left for UGA and then law school in Illinois before returning to Georgia to practice. When he handles a custody case involving a Buford family, he knows the school system, the recreational options, the commute patterns, and the community character. He knows what it means to raise kids in Buford because he was one of those kids.
Kevin has handled over 500 family law cases. His background as a former criminal trial attorney gives him courtroom skills that most family law attorneys do not have: cross-examination, evidence presentation, and the ability to perform under pressure. He brings those skills to every Buford case, whether it is a contested divorce, a custody modification, or a contempt enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kevin Markes really grow up in Buford?
Yes. Kevin grew up in Buford, attended local schools, went to UGA for undergrad, and came back to Georgia to practice law. He is a local attorney with a personal connection to the community.
Is Buford in Gwinnett or Hall County?
Most of Buford is in Gwinnett County. Some addresses near the northern edge fall in Hall County, which changes the filing location from Lawrenceville to Gainesville. We verify at the consultation.
Does property division include Lake Lanier property?
If a lake house, dock, boat, or club membership was acquired during the marriage, it is marital property subject to equitable division. These assets require separate appraisal. The emotional value of lake property often complicates negotiation.
How far is Tannen Law Group from Buford?
About 20 minutes via I-985/I-85 or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Our Johns Creek office is at 6455 East Johns Crossing.
How much does a divorce cost in Buford?
Filing fee approximately $245 to $250 (Gwinnett County). Uncontested divorces start at $5,000 flat fee. Contested cases depend on complexity including Lake Lanier property division.
I was served with divorce papers in Gwinnett County. What do I do?
You have 30 days from service to file your Answer at Gwinnett County Superior Court (GJAC), 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The Respondent filing fee is approximately $75 to $110, which is less than the Petitioner’s filing fee of $237. Gwinnett requires mandatory e-filing. Contested cases typically resolve in 6 to 12 months. Call (470) 560-7798 today to confirm your exact deadline and understand your rights as the Respondent. Full Respondent guide.
Our attorneys are here to provide clear answers. Contact us for a confidential consultation about your family law case.
Kevin Grew Up Here. He Knows Buford.
Free 30-minute consultation. In person at our Johns Creek office or via Zoom.
Call or text (470) 560-7798
Tannen Law Group
6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425
Johns Creek, Georgia 30097