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Do You Need a Family Law Attorney or a Divorce Attorney? What’s the Difference?

difference bettwen family law and divorce law

Do You Need a Family Law Attorney or a Divorce Attorney in Georgia?

When you start searching for legal help in Georgia, you might notice two terms that come up again and again: family law attorney and divorce attorney. Many people wonder if there is a real difference between them or if they mean the same thing. The answer can feel confusing when you are already facing one of the most stressful times of your life. At Barnhart Family Law in Atlanta, we want to clear up the confusion and explain how these terms are used, what each type of lawyer does, and how we can help you no matter what stage of life or legal challenge you are facing.

Table of Contents

What Is a Family Law Attorney in Georgia?

A family law attorney in Georgia helps clients with a wide variety of issues that affect families. Divorce is a large part of family law, but it is far from the only service. Family law attorneys provide guidance and representation in areas such as custody, child support, adoption, legitimation, and protective orders. In other words, when you think about the legal system and how it connects to families, a family law attorney is the professional who helps you navigate it.

At Barnhart Family Law, our family law services include:

What Is a Divorce Attorney?

A divorce attorney is a lawyer who focuses specifically on helping clients through the process of ending a marriage. In Georgia, divorce attorneys are family law attorneys, but not every family law attorney makes divorce cases their main focus. A divorce attorney will guide you through filing for divorce, negotiating terms, dividing property, establishing custody and visitation, and addressing alimony. Divorce attorneys also handle more complex cases such as high net worth divorces and divorces involving business ownership or significant property.

Is There Really a Difference?

In Georgia, the terms overlap. A divorce attorney is always a family law attorney, but a family law attorney does more than just divorce. You might search for an Atlanta divorce attorney or an Atlanta family law attorney and find the same law firm because the work is connected. The difference usually comes down to the language you use when describing what you need. If you are filing for divorce, you might search for a divorce lawyer. If you are seeking help with custody, support, adoption, or a protective order, you might look for a family law attorney. At Barnhart Family Law, we are both. We help clients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Alpharetta, Roswell, and across the surrounding areas with the full spectrum of family law services.

How to Know Which One You Need

The simplest way to decide is to think about your situation. If your primary need is ending your marriage, you are looking for a divorce attorney. If your concern involves children, parental rights, or agreements that come before or after divorce, you may be searching for a family law attorney. The truth is that the two overlap so much that the best choice is to work with a law firm that handles both. That way, no matter how your case develops, you will have the right experience on your side.

Why Barnhart Family Law?

At Barnhart Family Law, we are a female-owned and female-run Atlanta law firm. We focus entirely on family law, which means we have built deep experience across the full range of cases. Our attorneys understand the local courts and the unique needs of clients in Fulton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, and beyond. Whether your case is simple or highly complex, we know how to protect your interests and move you forward with confidence.

We have guided clients through every stage of the process: uncontested divorces that end peacefully, high-asset divorces involving businesses and real estate, custody battles that reshape parenting schedules, and protective orders that provide safety. Because family law touches every part of life, we believe our role is not only to represent you in court but also to help you plan for the future.

Take the Next Step

If you are asking whether you need a family law attorney or a divorce attorney, the answer is that you need a team who can handle both. At Barnhart Family Law, we provide that support every day. Call us today at (678) 928-8429 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Let us help you move forward with clarity and peace of mind.