Debra Mcdonald Finch

Debra Mcdonald Finch

also known as Debra Finch, Debra M. Finch

5.0
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 32 years

Adoption Lawyer at Athens, GA
Practice Areas: Adoption, Child Custody

585 Research Dr Ste B, Athens, GA

About Debra

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Adoption 60%

state agency adoptions (DFCS); private agency adoptions; independent adoption; stepparent adoptions; second parent adoptions; adult adoptions; grandparent adoptions; relative adoptions; international adoptions/domestication of international decrees; guardianships; and ​termination of parental rights.

60%
Child Custody 40%

Debra Finch often serves as Guardian Ad Litem in superior court custody cases, representing children in high conflict family law matters, including adoption, divorce and custody cases.

40%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 32 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1993

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Debra M. Finch, PC

585 Research Dr Ste B, Athens, GA, 30605

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Debra Mcdonald Finch's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

5 star (11)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | February 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The protector you need

If I could give 10 stars, I'd give 11. Mrs. Finch's experience, knowledge, ethics and commitment are unmatched! She held our hand, dried our tears, and brought results. Tears in my eyes even now writing this review. The peace she has brought our family doesnt have a price. I can finally rest easy kno...wing those most precious to me are safe. Thank you Mrs. Finch and God bless you.

Posted by Samantha | May 26, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

CHILD ADOPTION MADE SO EASY!

Mrs. Finch made our adoption process so easy and smooth! She was always there to answer any questions we had and help us understand what was happening through each part of our adoption process. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for these services!

Posted by Justin | May 24, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great all around!

Debra and Jennifer were better than I could have possibly imagined throughout our adoption. From the consultation to the finalization, Debra was extremely responsive and happy to answer any and all questions we had. She was very knowledgeable and detail oriented in her work, which was apparent during... our court hearings. If needed again, Debra will definitely be my first call!

Posted by Allison | May 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great Communication

Debra and her team were great! From the first call to the court appearance, she was confident and helped us navigate our adoption. She reassured us every step of the process and made it super easy for us. Wood definitely use her again!!

Posted by Susan W | May 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Attorney!!!

Debra and her staff was amazing to work with! They made our adoption the easiest process and most memorable one. Debra exceeded our expectations.

See All Client Reviews

Debra Mcdonald Finch's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Debra
David Wayne McLeod headshot
David McLeod

Family lawyer | Jun 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Debbie is smart, thorough, trusted and respected by Judges and her peers, and has the perfect temperament for family law cases."

Jonathan Everett Mills headshot
Jonathan Mills

Family lawyer | Sep 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"When there is a high conflict dispute involving child custody, you can't go wrong with Debbie as your GAL. She is a true advocate for the children and always willing to invest the time necessary to fully investigate the case before making a recommendation. Her reputation as a GAL and adoption attorney among attorneys and judges is unmatched."

Gregory A. Willis headshot
Gregory Willis

Adoption lawyer | Feb 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I would highly recommend Debbie as an adoption attorney or any other family matter. She is an excellent advocate that gets the job done."

View All Endorsements
William Doyle Healan III headshot
William Healan

Unknown lawyer

David Wayne McLeod headshot
David McLeod

Family lawyer

Thomas Alan Camp headshot
Thomas Camp

Family lawyer

Shannon Cahill Coffey headshot
Shannon Coffey

Family lawyer

Rosemary Myers Bowen headshot
Rosemary Bowen

Criminal defense lawyer

Gregory A. Willis headshot
Gregory Willis

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2015

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1993 - Present

Attorney, Debra M. Finch

Associations

2023 - Present

GEORGIA GUARDIANS AD LITEM, INC.

Executive Board Member

2021 - Present

Western Circuit Bar Association

Secretary

2015 - Present

Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers

Fellow

2015 - Present

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

National Association of Counsel for Children

Member

Georgia Association of Counsel for Children

Member

Family Law Section, State Bar of Georgia

Member

Child Advocacy Section, State Bar of Georgia

Member

Western Circuit Judicial Bar Association

Member (former Treasurer & GAL Order Committee)

2017 - 2023

Family Law Section, Western Circuit Bar Association

Chairperson

2017 - 2020

Athens Access to Justice Initiative

Organizer/Coordinator

2011 - 2015

Pumpkin House for Children, USA, Inc.

Chairperson, Board of Directors

2011 - 2012

Children First

Board Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Echols v. State, 222 Ga. App. 598 (1996)

Conviction reversed by Appellate Court

R.O.B., In Interest of, 453 S.E.2d 776, 216 Ga.App. 181 (Ga. App., 1995)

Trial Court reversed by Appellate Court

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

University of Georgia School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

Georgia State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Georgia Family Law Institute

Working with the Guardian Ad Litem

2011

Superior Court Judges Secretaries Seminar

Georgia Adoption Law

Publications

2006

The Family Law Review “Odd State Out: How Georgia’s Law on Child’s Right to Elect the Custodial Parent Compares with Other States” by John F. Lyndon and Debra M. Finch.

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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