William C. (Bill) Gentry, Esq.
Founder and Attorney
William C. (“Bill”) Gentry has been practicing law in Georgia for over 39 years. His primary focus is high-asset divorce and family law cases. He has handled hundreds of cases requiring complex property division including businesses, commercial and investment real estate holdings, residential properties, investment portfolios, and retirement assets.
Bill has guided countless clients through some of their most difficult moments in state courts on issues of divorce, child custody support, and alimony.
Divorces are scary and things can get messy. Bill knows this well. He also knows one spouse is sometimes at a disadvantage –at first. Bill and his team of attorneys correct this by securing fair results, equitable division, and a smooth transition into the next chapter of your life.
Including with Bill’s 39 years of practice, the combined legal team at Gentry Law Firm has over 100 years of experience in family law.
Bill’s Legal Background
Bill has helped hundreds of clients with their cases in state and federal courts throughout Georgia and dozens of appeals in both state and federal appellate courts in Georgia. He has argued cases throughout Georgia as well as the Georgia Supreme Court, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Bill is also a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Bill’s extensive courtroom experience affords him a well-earned reputation in Georgia’s courts. Judges and opposing counsel know him as an honest and aggressive advocate for his clients.
Bill’s Education
- JD from the University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, GA
- President, UGA Law Student Bar Assn
- BA from University of Virginia Honors Graduate, Charlottesville, VA
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Economics Honor Program
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- North Fulton High School, Atlanta, GA
- Valedictorian
Bill’s Attorney Licensing
- State Bar of Georgia, 1986
- 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, 1986
- U.S. District Court
- Northern District of Georgia, 1987
- Middle District of Georgia, 1989
- Georgia Supreme Court, 1987
- Georgia Court of Appeals, 1987
- United States Supreme Court, 2007
Bill’s Bar Leadership and Activities
- State Bar of Georgia (mandatory state bar association), 1986 – Present
- President-Elect of the State Bar, 2025-2026
- Elected to serve as President of the State Bar, 2026-2027
- Treasurer of the State Bar, 2024-2025
- Secretary of the State Bar, 2023 – 2024
- Executive Committee Member, 2021 – Present
- Board of Governors Member, 2012 – Present
- State Disciplinary Board, Member, 2025
- Senior Lawyers Division, Founder 2025
- Senior Lawyers Section, 2018 – 2025
- Aging Lawyers Task Force, Co-Chair/Chair, 2016 – 2018
- Professionalism Committee, 2014 – 2020
- Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law, 2007 – 2013
- Local Bar Activities Committee, Chair, 1993 – 1994
- Bridge the Gap Seminar, Chair, 1992 – 1993
- Civil Litigation for Younger Lawyers Seminar, Chair, 1991 – 1992
- Chaired, Served on various other committees
- Cobb County Bar Association, (chaired, served on various committees), 1988 – Present
- President, 2001 – 2002
- Senior Lawyers Section, Chair, 2019 – 2023
- American Bar Association, Member
- Old War Horse Lawyers Club, Inc., Member, 2019 – Present
- Lawyers Club of Atlanta, Member, 2016 – Present
- Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, Member, 2025
Bill’s Publications:
- Best Selling Author of the Forbes book, I Want Out: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Peace Through Divorce, 2023
- Tackling the Divorce Journey: Legal, Emotional, and Financial Knowledge to Empower You, 2024
- Coffee & Counsel: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know About Divorce, 2024
- Coffee & Counsel: Common Monetary Mishaps to Avoid Before, During, & After Divorce, 2024
- State Bar of Georgia Take Charge! Professionalism for Solo and Small Firms, 2018
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Convocation on Professionalism, 2015
National Business Institute, 2005-2019
- Advanced Trial Tactics: Summations and Jury Instructions
- Advanced Trial Tactics: Voir Dire and Jury Selection Strategies
- “May It Please the Court” Effective Case Presentation at Trial: Closing Statements and Final Jury Instructions
- Complex Assets in Divorce
- Family Law From A to Z
- Dirty Litigation Tactics: How to Deal with the “Rambo” Litigator
- The Mechanics of Georgia Civil Procedure
- Financial Settlements and Support Issues in Divorce: QDROs and Other Legal Tactics to Ensure Your Client’s Financial Future
- Depositions A to Z
Bill’s Community Service
- Maple Avenue United Methodist Church (UMC), Member, 2021 – Present
- North Georgia Conference of The UMC Committee on Investigations, 2024 – Present
- Legal Counsel District Union, 2025
- Cobb County Law Library Board, Trustee, 2021 – Present
- District Union Committee, Central West District/Atlanta West District, North Georgia Conference, UMC, Chair, 2012 – 2023
- Due West UMC, Marietta, GA, Member, 2000 – 2021
- Lay Leader, 2016 – 2018
- Administrative Board, Chair & Secretary, 2013 – 2016
- Long-Range Planning Committee, Chair, 2009 – 2011
- Lay Delegate, North Georgia Conference, UMC, 2006 – 2008
- Staff-Parish Relations Committee (Chair, 2004-2007, 2012-2013), 2003 – 2013
- Mountain Top Boys Home, Board of Directors, 2016 – 2020
- Walker School Football Booster Club, Walker School, President, 2007 – 2008
- Booster Club, Walker School, 2004 – 2006
- Coached, sponsored youth baseball teams, Oregon Park, West Cobb, 1996 – 2000
- Hardage Farm Homeowners Association, Trustee, 1994 – 1996
- McEachern UMC, Powder Springs, GA, 1993 – 1999
- Administrative Board Member at Large, 1995 – 1998
FAQs about Divorce
I just found out my spouse has been cheating on me. I’ve heard that doesn’t even matter in divorce anymore. Is that right?
Cheating does still matter in divorce cases. Both entitlement to alimony and division of marital property in divorce can be adversely impacted for the cheating spouse. If adultery is the cause of the breakup of the marriage, his or her adultery can disqualify him or her from receiving alimony. Likewise, the cheating spouse may be entitled to a smaller share of the marital property at the conclusion of the divorce case.
What is “gray divorce”?
“Gray divorce” is not a legal term, but it has become more common as more and more people over age 50 have chosen to file for divorce. The term has become increasingly popular because the issues facing people over age 50 are often very different from the issues facing people divorcing under age 50. Custody, parenting, and child support regarding minor children are common issues when younger people divorce. For people over 50, their children generally have grown up, and their issues tend to be more financial or interpersonal ones.
Can a father really get primary physical custody of a minor child? If so, how?
Absolutely. Judges make the final decision as to which parent should be given primary physical custody of a minor child. The Judge’s decision is based on several important issues: (1) Which parent has been the primary caregiver for the child in the past? (2) Which parent is more likely to be the more stable and caring parent going forward? (3) Which parent has a better support system of family and friends who can help back up the parent in tough situations. Contrary to what many people believe, finances are rarely an important criterion for Judges when deciding who should have primary custody of a minor child.
What’s a QDRO, and do I need one?
A qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) is simply a court order that divides a retirement account, typically a traditional pension or 401(k). Either the Judge at trial or the parties in settlement discussions will agree how retirement accounts should be divided. The QDRO simply effectuates the division of the particular retirement account. Depending on what other assets are being divided, you may or may not need a QDRO. Hiring a well-qualified family law attorney will assist you in making this decision.