What Does Family Mean to Me?
As an adoptive parent, blood relations do not define family. My situation is unique in that my son is adopted and has two biological siblings who were adopted by two different families. We consider those families our extended family..
Family are the people with whom we choose to spend our time making memories, who we will support unconditionally through thick and thin. This may include step-parents, step-siblings, old friends, in addition to those related by blood.
I am divorced and remarried, so my immediate family is myself and my husband, my son, Logan, who is eight years old, and two step-daughters, who are nine and seven. My parents are nearby, so I have my parents and my aunts, uncles, cousins that I also consider my family. These people are always there for me.
It is also interesting having step-children. The blended family dynamic is not often discussed and I never knew about the challenges of a blended family until I found myself in that situation. It has been challenging but also rewarding.
Jeanette Soltys always knew she wanted to help children and families. Prior to attending law school, this passion drove her to want to be a high school teacher. However, upon deciding that teaching was not for her, she realized she could help families by practicing family law.
After Jeanette graduated from the University of Georgia and then Wake Forest University School of Law, she held a position representing the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services in abuse and neglect cases. This gave her extensive courtroom experience that enables her to litigate the most complex child custody cases. She has worked for over a decade focusing on divorce and custody cases, handling hundreds of family law matters throughout metro-Atlanta.
Her achievements in advocacy began in law school, when she exposed that the Atlanta Municipal Court was restricting public access to weekend hearings. Her work was highlighted in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and her efforts caused the Atlanta Municipal Court to reevaluate its practice of barring the public from the courtroom on weekends. Additionally, she earned two CALI Awards for Academic Excellence, received a 10 out of 10 rating on AVVO, and was named to ‘Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Stars’ for 2018 and 2019.
In addition, Jeanette belongs to various professional organizations. She is a member of the Cobb County Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia and the American Bar Association. She has spoken at continuing legal education courses for the ABA and the National Business Institute. She is a regular presenter at the Cobb County Pro Se Family Law Workshop and has given various scholarly lectures and writings related to the practice of family law.
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