Areas of Practice
BUSINESS LAW
The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld provide a broad range of business, corporate and transactional services including advice to business organizations and individual business owners throughout Georgia. We take time to understand each client’s business, how it operates and the goals of each client providing personal attention and customer service to each of our clients. When the inevitable dispute arises, we guide our clients through the process of settlement negotiations, dispute resolution and mediation protecting our client’s interest while seeking the most cost effective resolution.
SMALL BUSINESS SALES/PURCHASE
We advise clients regarding buy-sell arrangements, purchase and sales of businesses and related transactions; compliance issues, transactions with third parties, and protection of business assets. We recommend proactive business practices that reduce the potential for lawsuits. The decision to buy, sell or start a business requires informed decisions on a wide range of issues. The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld has the experience and understanding to assist in the process.
custody
The best interest of your children is the guide for everything when it comes to Custody. The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld recognizes the importance of this and bring to bear our experience and resources to find a resolution that protects your family. We are committed to first trying to find a solution short of trial but if no settlement can be reached we are ready to bring your matter before Court and fight for a just and fair resolution.
CIVIL LITIGATION
We counsel clients on a range of issues to prevent problems from escalating into costly litigation. However, when negotiations have stalled or failed, we provide vigorous representation through mediation and assertive litigation in a broad range of practice areas. While we spend substantial time in the courtroom, that is not where your business belongs we work to keep you out of court but when there is no option, we fight to protect you and your business.
commercial debt collection
As a commercial creditor, you have an indisputable right to seek payment on outstanding debts; however, there are a variety of state and federal laws regulating collection activity. At The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld, we are familiar with commercial debt collection laws, and we have the experience and resources to efficiently and effectively collect your past due accounts.
divorce
Divorce is never an easy decision but when there is no hope of reconciliation you need to understand your rights as well as your liabilities. The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld takes the time necessary with clients to make certain they understand the particular issues before them. Our assertive representation seeks to protect your rights and help you resolve this difficult discord in your life.
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Because we are not only business attorneys but also trial attorneys, we approach contract negotiations with an understanding of how contracts are enforced. This allows us to help our clients negotiate, review and form contracts with an appreciation of the entire process. Our experience drafting and reviewing business contracts of all types, include: Commercial leases, Small Business Purchase and Sale Agreements, Business Contracts, Purchase Orders and Invoices, Real Estate Purchase Agreements
FAMILY LAW
The Law Offices of of D. Warren Auld has substantial experience in advising clients and litigating claims involving family law issues such as divorce, child custody, alimony, and child support and asset evaluation. It is of paramount concern in Georgia to get advice from our seasoned professionals with experience in alternate dispute resolution. Our approach to such cases is also made with your family and children in mind while avoiding the unexpected accrual of attorney's fees.
Legitimation/Paternity
Children are a blessing but when there is a question of who has responsibility for this blessing, the Law Offices of D. Warren Auld bring our experience and knowledge to resolve the dispute. Whether it is obtaining child support to pay for the necessities or establishing a legal relationship for visitation or custody, or determining paternity our office is experienced not only in the litigation process but in helping craft solution that are just for you and in the best interest of the child.
Child Support
Child Support may be established through either a divorce proceeding or a Petition for Legitimation or Paternity. If a current child support order is in place and you want to increase or decrease the amount of child support, a Petition to modify child support is appropriate. The purpose of child support is to achieve the state policy of affording to children of unmarried Parents, to the extent possible, the same economic standard of living enjoyed by children living in intact families consisting of Parents with similar financial means. An action to modify child support may be brought if there has been a substantial change in the income and financial status of either parent or for the needs of the child. If a child support order is in place but is not being paid, there is an option to bring an action for contempt to enforce payment. The party with a child support obligation who fails to pay risks along with other sanctions going to jail or losing their driver’s license. The Law Office of D. Warren Auld regularly works with both recipients of child support as well as those obligated to pay. We bring our experience with the new guidelines to help our clients understand whether an action to modify will bring about a change in the amount to be paid. We then work to find a solution that represents the best interests of our client.
Family Violence
The hope of comfort and peace of the family is sometimes broken by acts of Family Violence. The term 'family violence' means the occurrence of any felony or the commission of any offense of battery, simple battery, simple assault, assault, stalking, criminal damage to property, unlawful restraint, or criminal trespass between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children, or other persons living or formerly living in the same household. It is important to note that the term 'family violence' does not include reasonable discipline administered by a parent to a child in the form of corporal punishment, restraint, or detention. In protecting oneself from acts of family violence or from false allegations, it is important to understand the consequence of the entry of such an Order. For those who are being victimized it will mean that a safe haven is established that ends the threats of the violence. Additionally, a court Order can establish a visitation schedule and obligations for paying monthly expenses. It is equally important to protect yourself from false accusations. The entry of an Order can remove you from the home and create other civil liabilities that can follow you causing problems with employment. The Law Offices of D. Warren Auld brings its experience to bear in these matters to make certain that stability and peace are restored to the home while also working to protect the rights of all involved. It is of critical importance when you are served with a Petition that you act immediately to contact an attorney. Your home, your family and your rights are at stake.