What to Expect at Tannen Law Group
Most people who call a family law attorney for the first time have never hired a lawyer before. They do not know what happens on the first call, what a consultation actually involves, what the process looks like after they sign a retainer, or how long the whole thing takes. That uncertainty makes an already difficult situation harder than it needs to be.
This page removes that uncertainty. Here is exactly what happens when you contact Tannen Law Group, from the first call through case resolution.
We respond within 2 hours during business hours. We represent families in Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, Cumming, Roswell, Suwanee, Duluth, and the surrounding Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth Counties.
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. No pressure. Confidential even if you do not hire us.
What to Expect: Quick Facts
- First contact: Call or text (470) 560-7798 or email info@tannenlawgroup.com. Melissa Barker handles initial intake.
- Response time: Within 2 hours during business hours.
- Free consultation: 30 minutes with Attorney David Tannen, in person at our Johns Creek office or via Zoom.
- What to bring: Nothing required. If you have been served paperwork, bring it if you have it. If not, that is fine.
- Consultation cost: Free. No credit card. No commitment.
- Confidentiality: Everything you share is confidential, even if you do not hire us.
- After the consultation: You decide whether to proceed. No pressure either way.
- If you hire us: Written fee agreement, clear next steps, direct line to Melissa for case questions.
- Who handles your case: David Tannen (practicing in Georgia since 2002) and Kevin Markes (500+ family law cases).
Step 1: Your First Call or Text
When you call (470) 560-7798 or send a text, Melissa Nalley Barker is often the first person you speak with. Melissa is the Director of Client Relations at Tannen Law Group. She is also a former TLG client. She went through her own divorce while caring for a medically fragile child and two other children in elementary school. She knows what the first call feels like from the other side.
She will ask a few basic questions about your situation: what type of matter you are dealing with, whether you have been served with any paperwork, which county your case would likely be filed in, and your general timeline and urgency. She is not conducting a legal intake. She is gathering enough information to schedule you with the right attorney and give you a realistic sense of what the consultation will cover.
You will not be pressured. If you are not ready to schedule yet, that is fine. You can call back. You can ask questions and hang up. The call is free and does not obligate you to anything.
If your situation is urgent, such as a protective order filing, an emergency custody matter, or a response deadline that is approaching, tell Melissa when you call. Those situations get handled differently and faster.
You can also reach us by:
- Text: (470) 560-7798 (two-way SMS is active on this number)
- Email: info@tannenlawgroup.com
- Online scheduling: through the consultation booking link on the website
For after-hours situations involving immediate safety concerns, text the number. Melissa monitors texts and will respond as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Before Your Consultation
Once your consultation is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation with the date, time, and access information (office address for in-person, Zoom link for remote).
You do not need to prepare anything. Many clients ask what to bring. The answer is nothing required, but if you have any of the following on hand, bring them or have them accessible during a Zoom call: any documents you have been served, any court orders that affect you (custody, support, divorce decree), any settlement proposals from your spouse or their attorney, and a rough summary of your financial situation if relevant.
If you do not have any of those things, do not delay scheduling to gather them. The first consultation is about understanding your situation and your options. Documentation comes later if we move forward.
Step 3: The Consultation
The consultation is 30 minutes with Attorney David Tannen, either in person at our Johns Creek office or via Zoom.
David will ask you about your situation and your goals. You will describe what is happening, what you want to accomplish, and what concerns you most. David will ask follow-up questions to understand the specific facts, identify the legal issues, and assess the realistic range of outcomes.
You will get specific, candid information: what Georgia law says about your situation, what a judge would likely do if your case went to trial, what your strongest and weakest arguments are, what the timeline looks like, and what the realistic cost range is for representation.
If your situation is complex or if you have many questions, the consultation may run longer than 30 minutes. David does not rush clients out. The goal is for you to leave with a clear picture of your situation and your options.
You will not be pressured to hire the firm at the end of the consultation. David’s approach is to provide honest assessment so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. If another firm would serve you better based on your specific circumstances, he will tell you that directly.
Step 4: After the Consultation
You decide what to do next. There are several possibilities.
You may decide to hire Tannen Law Group. If so, we send you a written fee agreement that specifies the scope of representation, the fee structure, and the next steps. You sign the agreement, pay the retainer or flat fee, and we begin work.
You may decide to think it over. That is fine. Most clients take a day or two to consider before committing. We do not pressure you and there is no expiration on the information David shared.
You may decide that your situation does not currently require an attorney. That happens sometimes, particularly when a situation can be resolved through direct communication with a spouse or co-parent. We will tell you when that is the case rather than pushing you toward representation you do not need.
You may decide to hire a different attorney. If your situation requires a specialty we do not handle or if another firm is a better fit based on geography or budget, we will not be offended. The consultation was about getting you the right information, not selling you on our firm.
Step 5: Working with Tannen Law Group During Your Case
If you hire us, here is what working with the firm looks like.
You will have direct access to Melissa for case questions, status updates, and general communication. Melissa knows every case and every client. She is your primary point of contact for everything except substantive legal strategy and court appearances.
David and Kevin handle the legal strategy, drafting, negotiations, and court appearances. They communicate with opposing counsel, prepare you for hearings, and represent you in court. You will speak with them at decision points and before any significant action.
The firm communicates promptly. Calls and texts are returned within 2 hours during business hours. Emails are answered the same day or next business day. If something urgent arises, we get back to you immediately.
You will receive regular updates on your case status, even when there is nothing dramatic to report. Cases have quiet periods between filings and hearings, and we explain what is happening (or not happening) and why.
You will be prepared for every court appearance. If you are testifying, you will know what questions to expect and how to handle them. If you are observing, you will know what is going to happen and what each part of the proceeding means.
How Long Does This Take?
Timeline depends on the type of case and the issues involved.
Uncontested divorce
31-day waiting period from service plus a county-dependent final step. Faster than most people expect. The Georgia statutory waiting period after the settlement agreement is signed is the main driver of the minimum timeline.
Contested divorce
6 to 12 months across Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth Counties. The timeline depends on the issues in dispute and the court’s schedule
Modifications
6 to 12 months depending on the issues involved, whether child support or custody.
Protective orders
Initial TPO issued same day when the petition demonstrates immediate danger. The 30-day follow-up hearing determines whether the order is extended.
Contempt and enforcement
3 to 12 months depending on county calendar and the complexity of the enforcement action.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
First draft available within 5 business days of your first meeting with the attorney after payment.
Most contested cases settle before trial. Settlement can happen at any point, but the majority of cases settle in the weeks before the trial date when the full cost and uncertainty of going to court becomes concrete for both sides. David prepares every case for trial precisely because that preparation is what makes opposing counsel negotiate seriously.
What Makes Tannen Law Group Different
Melissa brings a client's perspective to every decision.
In team meetings she often asks: how would this feel if I were the client? She has been the client. That perspective shapes how the firm communicates, how quickly messages get returned, and how much explanation clients get about what is happening in their case.
David has tried cases in your courthouse.
Practicing since 2002 in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County courts means knowing how the system works at the ground level: how long motions take to schedule, how specific judges approach custody cases, how to move a case efficiently through a calendar that handles hundreds of matters per year.
Kevin Markes tried serious felony cases before practicing family law.
Cross-examination, evidence organization, witness preparation, and composure under pressure are skills built in criminal trial work. Opposing counsel who knows Kevin's background negotiates differently.
The firm handles family law only.
Every attorney hour, every dollar of preparation, every case insight goes into one practice area. That focus produces better results than a general practice firm handling family law alongside real estate, wills, and business matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to decide right away whether to hire you?
No. Take the time you need. Most clients take a day or two after the consultation before committing. There is no pressure and no expiration on the information David shares. Call (470) 560-7798 when you are ready.
What if I cannot afford a retainer right now?
Discuss it during the consultation. Payment plans are available for qualified clients on both flat-fee and hourly matters. We would rather connect you with the right resource than leave you without representation.
What if I am not sure I need a lawyer?
Come to the consultation anyway. The free 30 minutes will clarify whether you need legal representation, whether you can handle your situation without an attorney, or whether a limited-scope representation makes sense. The consultation costs you nothing and gives you information either way.
Can I bring someone with me to the consultation?
Yes. You can bring a trusted friend or family member for support. Be aware that their presence may affect attorney-client privilege. Let Melissa know in advance if you are bringing someone and she will explain how it affects confidentiality for your specific situation.
What if my spouse has already hired a lawyer?
Call immediately. Once the other side has an attorney, the dynamics of the situation change. You are entitled to representation too, and having an attorney levels the communication and procedural playing field. Call (470) 560-7798 today.
Will David handle my entire case or will it be handed off?
David handles all client consultations and leads legal strategy on every case. Kevin Markes handles specific matters, particularly contested custody and litigation-intensive cases, where his trial background is most directly applicable. Melissa manages all client communication and case operations. Your case is never handed to a paralegal or a junior associate you have never met.
What if I already have a lawyer and want to switch?
Switching attorneys mid-case is common and procedurally simple. Call (470) 560-7798 to schedule a consultation. David will review where your case stands, what has been done, and what the path forward looks like. If a switch makes sense, we handle the substitution of counsel process.
What should I do right now if I am in immediate danger?
Call 911 first. Then call or text (470) 560-7798. Georgia courts can issue a Temporary Protective Order the same day a petition is filed when there is documented immediate danger. We file these cases urgently. But your immediate physical safety comes first.
How do I know if Tannen Law Group is the right firm for me?
Come to the free consultation. If we are the right fit for your situation, David will recommend moving forward and explain exactly what that looks like. If another firm would serve you better based on your case type, geography, or budget, he will say that directly. We do not take cases where we are not the right option.
Is the consultation really confidential if I do not hire you?
Yes. Attorney-client privilege attaches to initial consultations even when no engagement follows. What you share with David stays between you and the firm regardless of whether you hire us. You can speak freely.
Our attorneys are here to provide clear answers. Contact us for a confidential consultation about your family law matter.
Ready to Take the First Step?
The consultation does not mean your marriage is over. It does not mean you are giving up. It means you are gathering information so you can make an informed decision about your situation and your family.
Call or text (470) 560-7798
Tannen Law Group | 6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425 | Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
Your Free Consultation Includes:
An honest assessment of your legal position, not what you want to hear, but what you need to know.
A clear explanation of your options and what each path looks like.
A specific cost estimate and realistic timeline for your county.
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation online
No obligation. No spam. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Not ready to call? Read: How Much Does Divorce Cost in Georgia?