Coronavirus Update – We are Prepared to Serve

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) becomes more of a concern in our local communities, it is important that we all take the necessary precautions. At Meriwether & Tharp, we have implemented several precautionary measures to protect the safety of our clients and ourselves. We understand the essential nature of the service we provide and we know that family law emergencies can happen at any time. We know that many of you have critical concerns during this difficult time, as always Meriwether & Tharp is here to help guide you through it. If you need help with a divorce or family law issue, M&T is available through a virtual platform to help you.

Information is being dispensed rapidly as communities adjust and brace for the potential impact that Coronavirus may have. Please use caution when reading or sharing new articles that may or may not be credible. For more information about the Coronavirus, it's best to visit the CDC's website. Below we have some helpful links to the CDC's website:

• How to Prepare
  
• How to Protect Your Family
  
• How to Manage Anxiety & Stress
  
• Symptoms & Testing
  

We routinely represent clients outside of Georgia and even the United States. Accordingly, we have the technology and resources to operate and provide the best legal services to our clients even with social distancing. We routinely meet with clients for consultations or meetings virtually rather than in person. For your health and safety, we will continue these virtual meetings for all of our clients and consultations. We continue to be available to talk to you about your matter or answer your legal questions via phone, video conference, or e-mail. As always, we are here to assist you through your divorce and family law matters with innovative technology.

Most, if not all, of our pleadings are submitted electronically. Therefore, we are able to file your case and relevant pleadings while exercising social distancing. In addition, we are available to begin new actions and help resolve new issues.

We are using our technological resources to advance your case despite many of the Courts postponing hearings. Many mediators, arbitrators, and parent coordinators are available virtually and we are equipped to participate virtually to help meet your needs and your goals. Consequently, there should be minimal disruption to your legal action during this time.

We are guided by the principle that family law matters should, when possible, be resolved outside of the Courtroom. We remain a resolution focused family law firm and our hearts and resources are open to assist you.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The Supreme Court of Georgia issued two Orders Declaring Judicial Emergencies. The First Order is for the period March 13, 2020 to April 13, 2020. The Second Order extends the first Order from April 13, 2020 to May 13, 2020. The Superior Courts (where all Georgia domestic relations cases are filed) followed suit extending deadlines and hearings to April 13, 2020. Most courthouses are limiting any nonessential legal matters for a period of 30 days (concluding Monday, April 13, 2020). The Superior Courts are starting to issue new Orders extending the domestic relations deadlines to May 13, 2020, but this is on a county by county basis. Not all Court hearings are being rescheduled. Some Superior Courts are now holding hearings via video conferencing or telephone. Meriwether & Tharp is working diligently to keep you informed regarding your case. Many scheduled court hearings will be postponed, reset or cancelled by the courts. That said, some courts are electing to go forward with some matters, either virtually or in person. We are working with the courts to determine whether your particular matter will be postponed, changed to a telephone/video format, or rescheduled and will keep you informed as soon as we have that information.