Lawyers Without Billboards
Real lawyers, real talk—without the billboards. Lawyers Without Billboards is an unfiltered look at family law, hosted by the partners of Shewmaker & Lewis: Steve and Patty Shewmaker, and Jimmy and Alexa Lewis.
With decades of experience in divorce, custody battles, child support, alimony, and criminal law, they break down legal myths, share expert insights, and dive into real cases (sometimes with a side of humor).
Expect candid conversations, legal deep dives, and the occasional sidebar on pop culture, legal movies, and life as family law attorneys. Whether you're navigating a family law issue, practicing law yourself, or just enjoy courtroom drama, this podcast offers valuable insights with a dose of levity.
New episodes every two weeks
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Lawyers Without Billboards
Live-In Lovers, Cousins, and Contracts: Untangling Georgia Marriage Law | LWB EP 26
Think a wedding license is the only way to be married in Georgia? Think again.
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team unpacks what really constitutes a valid marriage under Georgia law. From the three essential requirements of marriage to surprising cases where “celebrations of love” turned into binding contracts, the conversation dives into quirky legal twists - including cousin marriage laws, destination weddings, and the end of common law marriage in Georgia.
With their trademark mix of insight and humor, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down what counts, what doesn’t, and why “live-in lovers” can sometimes end up more entangled than they realize.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, Alexa Lewis
👨⚖️ Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta-based attorneys helping families
Chapters (Timestamps)
- 00:28 – What makes a valid marriage in Georgia?
- 02:05 – Ability to contract: age, capacity, and no prior spouse
- 03:47 – Cousin marriage laws (yes, Georgia allows it!)
- 07:05 – Which states prohibit first-cousin marriages?
- 08:45 – Do you actually need a marriage license?
- 10:00 – Case study: Celebration of Love vs. Legal Marriage
- 14:20 – Divorce case twist: Was the marriage valid in 2007 or 2016?
- 16:30 – Judge Hutchinson’s ruling and appeal
- 17:30 – Common law marriage abolished… but could it return?
- 20:20 – Destination weddings and Georgia recognition
- 22:20 – Don’t “play marriage”: funny family stories
- 23:40 – Final takeaways: Live-in lovers, cousins, and contracts
👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.comshewmakerandlewis.com
🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. Search Lawyers Without Billboards.
📺 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0zeuTCNaQV0
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA