Rhonda Blackwell Siler
Law Office of Rhonda Blackwell Siler
P.O. Box 155
East Ellijay, GA 30539
Map
Phone: (706) 635-6093
http://www.georgiauncontesteddivorceonline.com
Legal Representation at Document Preparation Prices
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
My practice consists exclusively of uncontested divorce cases with and without minor children, slightly contested divorce cases and simple estate and advance directives. At least 50% of my clients are people seeking a quick and inexpensive uncontested divorce who retain my services online with the rest being more traditional clients who prefer to meet with me in person at my office in the North Georgia mountain area. I do handle some contested divorces, but I only agree to take cases where my clients show a genuine interest in resolving conflicts through negotiation or a fast track temporary hearing to help us narrow the issues.
Sub-Topics
Custody/Visitation Rights
Divorce Mediation
Uncontested Divorce
Bar Admissions
GA, Aug 1988
Bar Number: 006980
Specialty Certifications
Court-Appointed Special Advocate for Children.
Other Court Admissions
Georgia State Courts.
Association Memberships
State Bar of Georgia, Certified CASA Volunteer for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), and Tri-State Business Women Association (serving Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee).
Continuing Education
I attend seminars for the required continuing legal education hours each year.
Example Cases
The majority of cases that I handle are uncontested/no-fault divorces where both parties are committed to resolving any issues they might have regarding the division of marital property and debt, child custody, and spousal or child support as quickly and fairly as possible with out having to resort to costly litigation. For further information, please visit my website.
Education
University of Georgia School of Law
Juris Doctorate
Athens
GA
1988
Kennesaw State College
Bachelor of Science
Kennesaw
GA
1984
Political Science
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Georgia
Firm Focus and History
I opened my current law office when I moved to the North Georgia mountain area in 2008 to be closer to my family. Upon moving to the mountains, I discovered that there was a great need for low-cost legal services in this area. Due to the current state of the economy, many residents in the area were forced to try and handle cases on their own because they could not afford to hire an attorney to help them. Everywhere I went, people told me how frustrated they were with trying to navigate the legal system alone and even more frustrated that they were paying high legal fees for work that never seemed to get done. I dedicated myself to trying to fill this need and to make lawyer assisted legal services fast and affordable again.
Previous Employment Summary
I have been an attorney for over twenty two years and have spent nineteen of those practicing in the metropolitan Atlanta area in Plaintiff-oriented law firms that practice solely in the areas of civil and family law. I have helped thousands of clients with their legal problems and have always made it my mission to make what was often the worst periods of their lives go as smoothly and quickly as legally possible.
Activities and Awards
I am a volunteer in the CASA program representing children who have been taken into the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I whole heartedly encourage clients to educate themselves regarding their legal issues and feel that an educated client is usually a happy and prepared client. However, "education" can be a hindrance, if the information that the client has is either outdated or does not apply to the local jurisdiction, because it can foster false expectations of possible outcomes that are often hard to overcome.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I have no problem reviewing documents prepared by clients and usually charge between $50 to $100, depending on the length and complexity of the document.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
My prices are affordable enough that there is no need for the client to have to represent themselves. However, on the rare occasion where I feel that I can not handle the case for them, then I try to help them proceed on their own as much as I am allowed within the rules of the Georgia State Bar Association.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer because I genuinely want to help people and be of service to others and this is the way I believe I was called to do that. Also, I think the law profession is a noble one and I want to do my part to restore the public's confidence in both the law and in lawyers.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Not only am I the child of divorced parents, but I am divorced myself, so I know first hand what a painful and stressful experience divorce can be. Luckily, I was blessed in that both divorces were as amicable as possible given the stressful situation and have provided me with working models of what a "successful" divorce with and without children looks and feels like to people actually going through one.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
According to the American Bar Association, in some areas of the country at least one person in every family law case is pro se, or proceeding without a lawyer, in as high as 90 percent of the court cases. I personally feel there is no reason for anyone to have to make these already difficult situations even more stressful and painful by trying to wade through the legal system all alone in order to save money. I believe it is the right of every individual to have lawyer-assisted legal services regardless of his or her income and in an effort to make that a reality I offer low flat fee services and payment plans so help can be available if he or she needs it.
What do you like best about your career?
Living in a small mountain community, my clients are not just cases or fees to me; they are my neighbors and friends. I purposely keep my overhead low and my practice small so I can take the time to really listen to my clients and work with them to real solutions to their family problems that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a true solo practitioner, which means all of my clients deal directly with me, and only me.
What are your strengths and style?
I am extremely organized with advanced word-processing and computer skills. Based on the information I am given by the potential client during the initial phone call or email, I prepare drafts of the majority of the documents before even meeting with the client which allows me to take the time during the consultation to really listen to what my clients have to say so we can work together to tailor the documents to suit their specific needs and situations. Most of my clients leave my office with all of the necessary documents ready to be given to their spouses for their review and signature. I am very proud that in less than 3% of my uncontested cases the other spouse felt a need to hire their own attorney. When dealing with a pro se spouse, I try to be polite and really listen to them in order to help resolve any issues and concerns quickly and fairly. Once the signed papers are returned to me, I file them immediately with the court. In many cases, I have the divorce filed within 24 hours of being hired by the client and finalized in less than five weeks.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my beloved dog Max.
Office Manager/Assistant
I am a one-person law firm.
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Weekends and evenings by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I only work on a fixed fee basis. I personally believe that working on a retainer or hourly basis presents a conflict of interest between the attorney and the client. I charge $500 for uncontested divorces where minor children are involved and need to be provided for and $300 if there are no minor children. If the divorce is "gently" contested in that there are only a few issues which appear to be capable of being resolved without having to have a trial, I usually only charge an additional $250 for cases without children and $150 dollars for each additional court appearance on cases with children. I charge $75 for a simple will. The prices for other common legal services are listed on my web site.
Hourly Rates
I do not work on an hourly rate. I always try to quote my clients a fixed fee before they hire me even on cases where the amount of time that might be involved is unknown.
Free Initial Consultation?
All initial consultations are free and last as long as needed for me to answer the potential clients questions and gather the information I need to give them an initial evaluation and quote them a flat fee for my services based on the facts of their situation.
Typical Retainer
I do not bill clients using a retainer. Just like lawyers do not like surprises in their cases, I do not think clients like surprises in their bills.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on YouTube
Listen to us on iTunes
