What to Expect at Tannen Law Group
This page removes that uncertainty. Here is exactly what happens when you contact Tannen Law Group, from the first call through case resolution.
We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. No pressure. Confidential even if you do not hire us.
What to Expect. Quick Facts
- First contact: Call or text (470) 560-7798 or email info@tannenlawgroup.com. Melissa Barker handles initial intake.
- Response time: Within 2 hours during business hours
- Free consultation: 30 minutes with Attorney David Tannen, in person at our Johns Creek office or via Zoom
- What to bring: Nothing required. If you have been served paperwork, bring it if you have it. If not, that is fine.
- Consultation cost: Free. No credit card. No commitment.
- Confidentiality: Everything you share is confidential, even if you do not hire us
- After the consultation: You decide whether to proceed. No pressure either way.
- If you hire us: Written fee agreement, clear next steps, direct line to Melissa for case questions
- Who handles your case: David Tannen (24+ years Georgia family law, since 2002) and/or Kevin Markes (500+ family law cases)
Step 1: Your First Call or Text
When you call (470) 560-7798 or send a text, Melissa Nalley Barker is often the first person you speak with. Melissa is the Director of Client Relations at Tannen Law Group. She is also a former TLG client. She went through her own divorce while caring for a medically fragile child and two other children in elementary school. She knows what the first call feels like from the other side.
She will ask a few basic questions about your situation: what type of matter you are dealing with, whether you have been served with any paperwork, which county your case would likely be filed in, and your general timeline and urgency. She is not conducting a legal intake. She is gathering enough information to schedule you with the right attorney and give you a realistic sense of what the consultation will cover.
You will not be pressured. If you are not ready to schedule yet, that is fine. You can call back. You can ask questions and hang up. The call is free and does not obligate you to anything.
If your situation is urgent, such as a protective order filing, an emergency custody matter, or a response deadline that is approaching, tell Melissa when you call. Those situations get handled differently and faster.
You can also reach us by:
- Text: (470) 560-7798 (two-way SMS is active on this number)
- Email: info@tannenlawgroup.com
- Online scheduling: through the consultation booking link on the website
For after-hours situations involving immediate safety concerns, text the number. Melissa monitors texts and will respond as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Before Your Consultation
After you schedule, we send you a brief confirmation with the date, time, format (in person or Zoom), and what to expect. You do not need to prepare anything or bring documents unless you want to.
If you have been served with divorce papers, a custody petition, or any court filing, bring it if you have it. Having the actual documents lets David review them during the consultation and give you more specific guidance. But if you do not have them, or cannot access them easily, do not let that stop you from coming. David has reviewed enough filings to understand situations based on description alone.
If your situation involves financial complexity, such as a business, significant retirement accounts, or complex property, think about what you own and roughly what it is worth. You do not need spreadsheets or statements. A general picture is enough for a first conversation.
If your situation involves children, think about the current custody and parenting time arrangement, even if it is informal. David will want to understand where the children are living, where they go to school, and what the parenting schedule looks like now.
Most importantly: show up. The consultation is the hardest step for most people. Calling a lawyer makes it real. We understand that. The consultation does not commit you to anything. It gives you information.
Step 3: The Consultation
The free consultation is 30 minutes with Attorney David Tannen. You can meet in person at our office at 6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425, in Johns Creek, or by Zoom. If you prefer Zoom, there is no difference in the quality of the conversation. Many clients prefer it, particularly when dealing with a difficult home situation.
The consultation is a conversation, not a presentation. David will ask questions about your situation and listen. He will not read from a script, hand you a brochure, or run through a sales pitch. He has been doing this since 2002. He knows how to get to the information that matters quickly.
What David covers during the consultation:
He will give you an honest assessment of your legal position. Not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. If your case is strong, he will tell you that. If there are weaknesses in your position, he will tell you that too, because an attorney who only tells you good news is not helping you.
He will explain your options. Contested versus uncontested divorce. Mediation versus litigation. Filing for modification versus enforcement. Seeking a protective order versus documenting for a custody case. The options depend on your specific facts, and he will walk through which paths make sense for you.
He will explain costs. Uncontested divorces are handled on a flat fee starting at $5,000. Contested matters are handled on an hourly rate with an initial retainer. He will give you a realistic cost range for your specific situation during the consultation.
He will answer your questions. Come with questions. Most clients come in with a list and feel better having gone through it. There are no stupid questions. The goal of the consultation is for you to leave with more clarity than you arrived with.
The consultation is confidential. What you share with David stays between you and the firm, even if you decide not to hire Tannen Law Group. Attorney-client privilege attaches even for initial consultations.
Step 4: After the Consultation
At the end of the consultation, David will summarize your situation, your options, and the recommended path forward. He will give you a clear sense of costs and timeline.
If you decide to hire Tannen Law Group, the next step is a written fee agreement. The agreement specifies the scope of representation, the fee structure (flat or hourly), the initial retainer amount, and billing procedures. You will sign the agreement and provide the retainer before any formal legal work begins.
If we are not the right fit for your situation, David will tell you that directly. If another firm would serve you better based on your geography, case type, or budget, he will say so. We would rather refer you to the right resource than take a case where we are not the best option.
Step 5: Working with Tannen Law Group During Your Case
Once you are a client, Melissa Barker becomes your primary operational contact. David and Kevin handle legal strategy and court appearances. Melissa handles everything that keeps your case moving: filing coordination, deadline tracking, document requests, scheduling, and day-to-day communication.
How communication works:
You reach Melissa by calling or texting (470) 560-7798. She responds during business hours and monitors texts after hours for urgent matters. If you have a legal question that requires attorney judgment, she routes it to David or Kevin and gets back to you. You are never left wondering whether anyone received your message or whether your question is being addressed.
You will know about every court date, filing deadline, and hearing in advance. You will not be surprised by events in your case. David and Kevin prepare you for what is coming: what to expect at a temporary hearing, what the mediation process will look like, what the judge is likely to care about at trial. Preparation includes making sure you understand the process, not just the legal strategy.
What you are responsible for:
Nothing in the beginning. We will walk you through every step of the process. Our goal is to make this already painful experience as easy on you as possible.
How Long Does This Take
Timeline depends on the type of case and the issues involved in that case.
Uncontested divorce
45 to 60 days from the date the settlement agreement is signed to final decree. Faster than most people expect. The Georgia 30-day waiting period after service of the complaint is the main driver of the minimum timeline.
Contested divorce
6 to 12 months regardless of county. The timeline depends on the issues in dispute and the court’s schedule.
Modifications
6 to 12 months depending on the issues involved, whether child support or custody.
Protective orders
Initial TPO issued same day when the petition demonstrates immediate danger. The 30-day follow-up hearing determines whether the order is extended.
Contempt and enforcement
3 to 12 months depending on county calendar and the complexity of the enforcement action.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
First draft available within 5 business days of your first meeting with the attorney after payment.
Most contested cases settle before trial. Settlement can happen at any point, but the majority of cases settle in the weeks before the trial date when the full cost and uncertainty of going to court becomes concrete for both sides. David prepares every case for trial precisely because that preparation is what makes opposing counsel negotiate seriously.
What Makes Tannen Law Group Different
Melissa brings a client's perspective to every decision.
In team meetings she often asks: how would this feel if I were the client? She has been the client. That perspective shapes how the firm communicates, how quickly messages get returned, and how much explanation clients get about what is happening in their case.
David has tried cases in your courthouse.
Thirty years in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County courts means knowing how the system works at the ground level: how long motions take to schedule, how specific judges approach custody cases, how to move a case efficiently through a calendar that handles hundreds of matters per year.
Kevin Markes tried serious felony cases before practicing family law.
Cross-examination, evidence organization, witness preparation, and composure under pressure are skills built in criminal trial work. Opposing counsel who knows Kevin's background negotiates differently.
The firm handles family law only.
Every attorney hour, every dollar of preparation, every case insight goes into one practice area. That focus produces better results than a general practice firm handling family law alongside real estate, wills, and business matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to decide right away whether to hire you?
No. Take the time you need. Most clients take a day or two after the consultation before committing. There is no pressure and no expiration on the information David shares. Call (470) 560-7798 when you are ready.
What if I cannot afford a retainer right now?
Discuss it during the consultation. Payment plans are available for qualified clients on both flat-fee and hourly matters. We would rather connect you with the right resource than leave you without representation.
What if I am not sure I need a lawyer?
Come to the consultation anyway. The free 30 minutes will clarify whether you need legal representation, whether you can handle your situation without an attorney, or whether a limited-scope representation makes sense. The consultation costs you nothing and gives you information either way.
Can I bring someone with me to the consultation?
Yes. You can bring a trusted friend or family member for support. Be aware that their presence may affect attorney-client privilege. Let Melissa know in advance if you are bringing someone and she will explain how it affects confidentiality for your specific situation.
What if my spouse has already hired a lawyer?
Call immediately. Once the other side has an attorney, the dynamics of the situation change. You are entitled to representation too, and having an attorney levels the communication and procedural playing field. Call (470) 560-7798 today.
Will David handle my entire case or will it be handed off?
David handles all client consultations and leads legal strategy on every case. Kevin Markes handles specific matters, particularly contested custody and litigation-intensive cases, where his trial background is most directly applicable. Melissa manages all client communication and case operations. Your case is never handed to a paralegal or a junior associate you have never met.
What if I already have a lawyer and want to switch?
Switching attorneys mid-case is common and procedurally simple. Call (470) 560-7798 to schedule a consultation. David will review where your case stands, what has been done, and what the path forward looks like. If a switch makes sense, we handle the substitution of counsel process. Call (470) 560-7798 to discuss your situation confidentially.
What should I do right now if I am in immediate danger?
Call 911 first. Then call or text (470) 560-7798. Georgia courts can issue a Temporary Protective Order the same day a petition is filed when there is documented immediate danger. We file these cases urgently. But your immediate physical safety comes first.
How do I know if Tannen Law Group is the right firm for me?
Come to the free consultation. If we are the right fit for your situation, David will recommend moving forward and explain exactly what that looks like. If another firm would serve you better based on your case type, geography, or budget, he will say that directly. We do not take cases where we are not the right option.
Is the consultation really confidential if I do not hire you?
Yes. Attorney-client privilege attaches to initial consultations even when no engagement follows. What you share with David stays between you and the firm regardless of whether you hire us. You can speak freely. Do You Have More Questions? Call or text (470) 560-7798. You might speak with Melissa. She will listen, answer what she can, and get you scheduled with David for anything that requires attorney guidance.
Our attorneys are here to provide clear answers. Contact us for a confidential consultation about your family law case.
Ready to Take the First Step?
The consultation does not mean your marriage is over. It does not mean you are giving up. It means you are gathering information so you can make an informed decision about your situation and your family.
Your Free Consultation Includes:
- An honest assessment of your legal position, not what you want to hear, but what you need to know
- A clear explanation of your options and what each path looks like
- A specific cost estimate and realistic timeline for your county
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation online
No obligation. Confidential. In person at our Johns Creek office or via Zoom. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.