Eatonton Family Law Attorney
Eatonton is the county seat of Putnam County and its only incorporated city, so family law cases from across the county, including the Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair communities, are heard at the courthouse on South Jefferson Avenue. Samuel Thomas Law, based in Athens, represents Putnam County families. Attorney Samuel E. Thomas handles each case personally, from the first consultation through the final order.
Putnam County Superior Court
Family law cases for Putnam County residents are filed in the Superior Court of Putnam County, part of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is at 100 South Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA 31024, and the Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts is in Suite 236 (phone 706-485-4501).
Two Lakes, One County
Putnam County touches both Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair, and lake property often comes up in divorces here, whether it is a primary home, a weekend place, or a rental. Deciding what is marital, what is separate, and what it is worth is often the heart of a Putnam County property settlement. Our page on property and asset division explains the basics, and our article on dividing retirement benefits covers another asset that often matters.
Family Law Matters We Handle
- Divorce, contested and uncontested
- Child custody and visitation, including relocation
- Child support, including how support is calculated and modifications
- Spousal support and alimony
- Property and asset division, including family businesses and retirement accounts
- Paternity and legitimation and fathers’ rights
- Grandparent rights
- Contempt actions to enforce existing orders
- Prenuptial agreements
- Adoption
What to Expect in an Ocmulgee Circuit Case
In the Ocmulgee Circuit, the person filing for divorce must attach the circuit’s standing order to the complaint and serve it on the other spouse, and cases with children include the circuit’s Standard Orders for Parenting. Both set rules the parties must follow while the case is pending. If you have been served, read them carefully before making changes to finances or the children’s routine.
Help for Putnam County Parents
Custody and support cases need a workable parenting plan and accurate income information. Our guides to the Georgia parenting plan and how child support is calculated are good places to start.
About Attorney Samuel E. Thomas
Samuel E. Thomas is a fourth-generation Athens business owner, a University of Georgia graduate, and a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. He is admitted to practice in all Georgia Superior Courts, including the court that hears Eatonton cases. Read more about our firm.
Eatonton Family Law FAQ
I live on Lake Sinclair. Is my case filed in Putnam County?
Only if the responding spouse lives in the Putnam County part of the lake. Lake Sinclair also borders Baldwin and Hancock counties, which are in the same Ocmulgee Circuit but have their own courthouses.
Is Putnam County in the same circuit as Athens?
No. Athens-Clarke County is in the Western Circuit; Putnam County is in the Ocmulgee Circuit, which has its own standing order and forms.
I was just served with divorce papers. What should I do first?
Note the date you were served and read the standing order that came with the complaint. See what to do when you’re served.
Talk With a Eatonton Family Law Attorney
Call us at 706-546-0999 or book a consultation online. You can also send us a message using the form below.
Our Office
Samuel Thomas Law, LLC
585 Research Drive, Suite A
Athens, GA 30605
Phone: 706-546-0999
Email: customerservice@samuelthomaslaw.com