Winder Family Law Attorney
If you live in Winder or elsewhere in Barrow County and need help with a divorce, custody, or child support matter, your case will be heard at the Barrow County Courthouse on Barrow Park Drive. Samuel Thomas Law is based in Athens and represents Barrow County families. Attorney Samuel E. Thomas handles each case personally, from the first consultation through the final order.
The Barrow County Superior Court
Winder is the county seat of Barrow County. Family law cases for Barrow County residents are filed in the Superior Court of Barrow County, part of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, which Barrow shares with Jackson County. The courthouse is at 652 Barrow Park Drive, Winder, GA 30680, and the Clerk of Superior Court’s office is in Suite B (phone 770-307-3035).
Mediation and Settlement Conferences
Before a contested Barrow County divorce or custody case can be tried, the Piedmont Circuit requires the parties to attempt settlement. For domestic cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, that means mediation with a neutral mediator or a judicially hosted settlement conference. The requirement covers divorce, separate maintenance, legitimation, alimony, and modification cases; child support enforcement and contempt cases are exempt.
All domestic cases are screened for domestic violence before mediation, which matters if you have safety concerns about meeting with your spouse. Mediator fees are usually split equally, and the circuit offers financial assistance that covers up to two hours of mediation for parties who qualify.
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
Communities We Serve in Barrow County
In addition to Winder, we represent clients from Statham, Bethlehem, Carl, and the Barrow County portions of Auburn and Braselton. Wherever you live in the county, your case will generally be filed in Winder.
Custody and Support for Barrow County Parents
Custody cases turn on the children’s best interests and a workable parenting plan. Our pages on child custody, fathers’ rights, and child support calculations explain the basics.
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 Winder cases. Read more about our firm.
Winder Family Law FAQ
What is a judicially hosted settlement conference?
It is a settlement session led by a judge rather than a private mediator. Like mediation, the goal is to reach an agreement the court can turn into an order, but the judge’s involvement can give the parties a realistic view of how the case might be decided.
Can I get help paying for mediation?
The Piedmont Circuit offers financial assistance covering up to two hours of mediation for parties who qualify. We can tell you whether that may apply to you.
I was just served with divorce papers. What should I do first?
Note the date you were served, because the deadline to answer runs from that date. Our article on what to do when you’re served with divorce papers covers the next steps.
Talk With a Winder 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