Attorney Fees: Do I Have to Pay My Own? | Lawyers Without Billboards – Ep. 7

Who pays for attorney fees in a divorce or family law case in Georgia? Do you always have to pay your own, or can you make your ex pick up the tab? In this candid episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Atlanta attorneys Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis tackle one of the most common—and misunderstood—questions in family law: Who pays for attorney fees?Get real, practical answers as the team unpacks Georgia’s “American Rule” (everyone pays their own lawyer) and the major exceptions found in family law. The hosts break down the most important Georgia statutes—OCGA 9-15-14, 19-6-2, 19-6-15, and more—that could let a judge order one party to pay the other’s fees. You’ll hear real courtroom stories, practical examples, and a behind-the-scenes look at how judges decide whether to award attorney fees.In this episode, you’ll learn:The basics of the American Rule—and why it matters in family lawThe key Georgia laws that can shift attorney fees in divorce, custody, child support, and legitimation casesHow bad behavior in litigation (think: stonewalling, refusing discovery, frivolous filings) can backfire under OCGA 9-15-14How financial disparity and access to marital funds affect fee awards under 19-6-2 and 19-6-15What judges really look for before granting (or denying) attorney feesReal-life examples of fee awards—from a few thousand to over $80,000!Why “hoping” the other side pays your fees is never a guaranteeWhether you’re going through a divorce, modifying child support, or dealing with custody, this episode gives you the straight truth about attorney fees in Georgia family law—and what it means for your case.Chapter Markers | Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards00:45 – Icebreaker: Firm Potluck and Introductions02:01 – Today’s Topic: Attorney Fees in Georgia Family Law03:00 – The American Rule: Does Everyone Pay Their Own Fees?04:00 – Can the Other Side Be Ordered to Pay? (Client Questions)05:00 – Statutes that Allow Attorney Fee Awards in Georgia05:55 – OCGA 9-15-14: Fees for Bad Conduct in Litigation07:00 – Real-Life Stories: Biggest Fee Awards (and Losses)10:00 – Burden-Shifting & Frivolous Litigation11:53 – The Most Common Statute: OCGA 19-6-2 Explained12:10 – Financial Disparity: How Judges Decide Fee Awards13:20 – What the Court Considers: Not Always One-Sided14:34 – Other Key Statutes: 19-6-15 (Child Support), 19-9-3 (Custody)15:40 – Prevailing Party & Child Support Modifications16:39 – Proving Income & Real Examples of Fee Awards18:05 – Burden-Shifting Provisions & Modification Traps19:23 – Alimony Modification and Fee Awards20:23 – Risks of Fee Awards and Real-World Outcomes21:00 – Other Scenarios: Legitimation, Paternity, and Discovery Motions21:40 – Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) and Attorney Fees22:15 – Judge’s Discretion: Why Fee Awards Are Never Guaranteed23:33 – Partial Fee Awards: Why Clients Still Owe Their Lawyer24:40 – Case-by-Case: Why Results Vary So Much25:00 – How to Contact the Hosts & Wrap-UpNeed legal advice?Call us at (770) 939-1939 or visit ShewmakerandLewis.com for more.✉️ Have questions? Email [email protected]🔔 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app!