Watkinsville Family Law Attorney
If you live in Watkinsville or elsewhere in Oconee County and you are facing a divorce, a custody dispute, or a child support issue, your case will be heard at the Oconee County Courthouse on North Main Street. Samuel Thomas Law is based in Athens, and Oconee County cases are a regular part of our practice. Attorney Samuel E. Thomas handles each case personally, from the first consultation through the final order.
Where Oconee County Family Law Cases Are Filed
Watkinsville is the county seat of Oconee County. Divorce, custody, legitimation, and support cases for Oconee County residents are filed in the Superior Court of Oconee County, which is part of Georgia’s Western Judicial Circuit. The Western Circuit covers only two counties, Oconee and Athens-Clarke, so the same circuit handles cases on both sides of the county line.
The Clerk of Superior Court’s office is in Room 208 of the courthouse at 23 North Main Street, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (phone 706-769-3940). The clerk keeps the court file for your case, including the petition, the answer, temporary orders, and the final decree. When we represent you, we handle the filings and keep track of the deadlines for you.
Communities We Serve in Oconee County
Besides Watkinsville, Oconee County includes the City of Bogart, the Town of Bishop, and the Town of North High Shoals, along with unincorporated areas throughout the county. If you live anywhere in the county, your family law case will generally be filed in Watkinsville, and our Athens office is a short drive away.
What to Expect If You Have Children
If you are divorcing in Oconee County and have children under 18, both parents are required to complete the Divorcing Parents Program before the court will enter a final divorce decree. The program began in the Western Judicial Circuit in 1992. It is a two-hour, in-person session held in Athens, presented with Athens Family Counseling Services, and the fee is $35 per parent. Parents are scheduled automatically, and the notice arrives by regular mail, so keep your mailing address current with the court.
Parents in a custody case will also need a parenting plan that covers where the children will live, the holiday and school-break schedule, and how decisions about school, health care, and activities will be made. Our guide to the Georgia parenting plan explains what goes into one, and our page on child custody covers how Georgia judges decide custody.
Resolving Your Case Without a Trial
In the Western Judicial Circuit, a standing order requires the parties in contested divorce and custody cases to attend mediation before trial, and many Oconee County cases settle there. A neutral mediator meets with both sides and helps them work toward a written agreement that the judge can make an order. We prepare you for mediation and attend with you, and our article on divorce mediation in the Athens area walks through the process. If both spouses already agree on everything, an uncontested divorce is usually the fastest and least expensive path. When a fair agreement is not possible, we are prepared to try your case before the Superior Court.
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
About Attorney Samuel E. Thomas
Samuel E. Thomas is a fourth-generation Athens business owner. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Georgia and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is admitted to practice before all State and Superior Courts in Georgia, as well as the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Georgia. You work directly with your attorney, not a rotating set of staff, and you get clear explanations of your options at every stage.
Oconee County Family Law FAQ
Where do I file for divorce if I live in Watkinsville?
Divorce cases are generally filed in the county where the responding spouse lives. If your spouse lives in Oconee County, the case is usually filed in the Superior Court of Oconee County in Watkinsville. If your spouse has moved to another county, the rules can change, so it’s worth confirming before you file. Our guide to grounds for divorce in Georgia covers the other basics.
Do I need to meet with an attorney in Watkinsville?
No. Our office is in Athens at 585 Research Drive, and we represent Oconee County clients in the Watkinsville courthouse. Consultations can also be scheduled online.
I was just served with divorce papers. What should I do first?
Note the date you were served, because you have a limited time to file an answer. Then avoid moving money, property, or the children before you have legal advice. Our article on what to do when you’re served with divorce papers in Georgia explains the next steps.
Talk With a Watkinsville 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