Smyrna Family Lawyers

Heather Johnston is an Attorney with Meriwether & Tharp, LLC. Born and raised in Blue Ridge, Georgia, Ms. Johnston left the mountains and moved to Atlanta to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. There, she served on the Undergraduate Judiciary Cabinet, interned on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for a Georgia Congressman, and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Public Policy. In 2023, Ms. Johnston received her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University's College of Law with highest distinctions in the Public Service and Pro Bono program. In addition, Ms. Johnston served as president of the Family Law Society,...

Tamara's story is a fascinating journey of self-discovery and overcoming obstacles. Born in the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York, to a mixed heritage family, Tamara was instilled with a deep appreciation for both her American and Panamanian roots. Her parents encouraged her to be bilingual from an early age, setting her on a path to success that would see her achieve great things in her life. After her family relocated to sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, Tamara was introduced to the bassoon, which proved to be a life-changing experience. Her natural musical talent led her to pursue a degree in music,...

I am currently accepting divorce cases and handling auto accident and personal bankruptcy cases statewide. My firm is recognized for our aggressive representation, meticulous preparation, and fair, flat fees. As a potential client, you can be confident in my extensive experience and dedication to your case, ensuring that you receive the personal attention your case demands. With over 24 years of practice, I am well-regarded by both opposing attorneys and judges. Please be aware that I do not handle family law cases involving DFCS. I maintain a very low caseload, which allows me to handle only one trial matter at a time....

Ellaretha Coleman is an accomplished litigation attorney with experience defending the rights and best interests of individuals throughout the Atlanta-metropolitan area, as well as the state of Florida.

Ms. Coleman has substantial experience in the areas of Family Law, Divorce Law, and Custody.

Ms. Coleman has been widely applauded by both clients and peers for her written and oral advocacy skills, but it is her genuine and personable approach towards client relationships which has most distinguished her. A talented and business-savvy entrepreneur, Ms. Coleman continues to diversify her practice to ensure the fulfillment of every client's needs. Ms. Coleman...

Peter Rivner is a non-equity partner with Caldwell, Carlson, Elliott & DeLoach focusing on family law, divorce, and domestic relations litigation. He has been practicing law for over 10 years, the majority of which has been with the firm. Peter has considerable experience guiding clients through the challenging and often emotional issues that frequently arise in divorce and domestic relations litigation. Peter has represented a wide variety of clients, including athletes, entertainers, business owners, real estate developers, executives, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. He has handled hundreds of cases involving divorce, child custody and support, family violence, and other issues. Peter’s...

Tessie D. Edwards is an attorney that fights to find the right solutions for families in crisis. With her years of experience as a prosecutor, attorneys respect Tessie as an aggressive advocate who knows how to achieve clients’ objectives in and out of the courtroom. Clients see her compassionate side, where she and her team take the time to listen to gain a full understanding of the situation. With a passion for justice, Tessie started her career in criminal law, serving as an Assistant Solicitor General in Clayton County and an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County. She prosecuted over 2,000...

Allen Harris practices exclusively in Divorce and Family Law. He is a member of the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, the Atlanta Bar Association (Family Law Section), and the State Bar of Georgia (Family Law section).

Allen received his B.A. degree from Georgia College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Walter F. George Law School, Mercer University. He has been licensed and practicing law since 1985. He has a comprehensive understanding of complex issues that arise in Divorce and Family Law. He teaches Continuing Legal Education to other lawyers on subjects including:

Division of Property
Child Custody
Child Support
Domestic Violence
Prenuptial Agreements
Division...

As a child, my generation's default answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" was often a doctor or lawyer. I initially settled on being a doctor, though I had never met one and hated math and blood. By the end of my freshman year at Georgia Southern University, I abandoned pre-med for an undeclared major, unsure of my path. After seeking God’s guidance during my sophomore year, I received a call from a family friend who suggested I become a lawyer—a notion I initially resisted. However, through prayer, I felt a calling to pursue law. Starting...

I am a founding partner of Meriwether & Tharp LLC, where we have been helping clients through difficult times for over 20 years. In my current role as a managing partner, I can assist more clients through our team of over thirty divorce attorneys in Georgia. We know that obtaining a divorce can be a difficult process. Not only do you have to navigate the legal complications surrounding equitable division, child support, alimony, and child custody, but you also have to deal with the emotional toll a divorce places on you and your family. Many of you have...

Family law cases are inherently stressful, complex, and can become quite costly. I always advise my clients to settle any areas of agreement with their spouse whenever feasible. This approach not only gives you more control over the outcome but also helps in saving on legal fees. However, reaching an agreement isn't always possible. If it were, you likely wouldn't need my services. Over the past few decades, I have focused on representing individuals in high-conflict family law cases. These include intense custody disputes, intricate jurisdictional matters with parties residing in different states or countries, and complex financial issues. Such...

Daria F. Wise, the founding partner of the Wise Law Firm, has over sixteen years of experience as a trial and family law attorney. Mrs. Wise has successfully handled hundreds of cases from mediated settlements to trial litigation. She is known for accomplishing client objectives in the most expeditious and cost-effective manner possible. She is a knowledgeable, compassionate and aggressive advocate who prioritizes her client´s concerns and goals to ensure the best possible outcome. Mrs. Wise is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate their way through the often complex and difficult issues associated with family law matters.

Ms. Wise was...

Daesik Shin was born in South Korea and later moved to California with his family when he was about ten years old. He went to elementary, middle, and high school in California, and then moved back to Korea with his family. He finished high school and majored in Biochemistry at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. He also served as a Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, specializing in interpretation/translation, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. Daesik is fluent in both English and Korean. He graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. Daesik has a significant amount of courtroom experience...

I joined the Woodstock office of Meriwether & Tharp, LLC in January 2016, after having my office in Cobb County since 1996. My practice area has always included all counties in the North Metro Atlanta area, as well as Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. I do my best to represent my clients in a diligent and professional manner. I do this by providing them with my best advice for their particular situation, based upon my knowledge of the law and my many years of experience in Divorce and Family Law. All cases are different,...

In addition to practicing law since 1980, and having a perfect 10 excellent ranking on AVVO, Glen Ashman has been a municipal judge since 1988. The combination of judicial and legal experience has trained Glen well to help his clients. Glen has since 2002 been teaching Georgia judges at seminars and by writing the annual Municipal Court Benchbook, used by Judges across Georgia. Glen offers compassionate experienced help at very reasonable fees and personal service you do not get in big firms. Glen is an honors graduate of Mercer Law School.

Charlotte R. Ruble is a Partner with Meriwether & Tharp, LLC and practices family law. Mrs. Ruble has gained considerable experience litigating family law cases since her admittance to the Georgia Bar in 2011. She began practicing law under the Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Mrs. Ruble has legal and community ties to Cherokee and Forsyth County Georgia. She has litigated divorce, contempt, family violence, modification, and adoption cases in Forsyth, Hall, and surrounding Northeastern counties of Georgia. Mrs. Ruble earned her Juris Doctorate and a Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing from Mercer University...