Barrow County Divorce Attorneys

Unfortunately, some relationships in our lives can become unhealthy and for us mentally and even physically. When this relationship is your marriage, it may be fair to consider a divorce. Divorce is never fun, but, when handled correctly, it can open the door to healthier relationships and brighter futures.

If you are thinking of getting a divorce, know that you are not alone. You can only work on a marriage for so long; if nothing changes, there is absolutely no shame in deciding to leave that marriage. Many of our clients express relief when they take the first step toward filing for a divorce. 

However, it is important to understand that divorce proceedings can be difficult and will result in a seismic shift in personal and financial circumstances. A divorce attorney will guide you through these turbulent waters, as well as help you figure out if divorce is right for you.

• Blog: Reasons You Should Not DIY Your Own Divorce

Understanding the Process of Filing for Divorce in Georgia

Filing for divorce can be a complex and emotional process, but having a clear understanding of the steps involved can help alleviate some of the stress. In Georgia, the process typically involves the following steps:

1. Meeting residency requirements: In order to file for divorce in Georgia, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months.
2. Filing the petition: The spouse initiating the divorce must file a petition for divorce with the appropriate court in their county.
3. Serving the other spouse: Once the petition is filed, the other spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers.
4. Responding to the petition: The served spouse has the opportunity to respond to the petition, either contesting or agreeing to the terms of the divorce.
5. Settling issues: The spouses must work together to reach agreements on important issues such as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and division of assets and debts.
6. Finalizing the divorce: Once all issues are resolved, a final divorce decree is issued by the court, officially ending the marriage.

At Mitchell & Crunk, our experienced divorce attorneys can guide you through each step of the divorce process, providing compassionate representation and legal expertise to help you achieve a fair and favorable outcome. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your divorce case.

The Benefits of an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia

You must provide “grounds” when filing for divorce in Georgia, though you do not need to prove fault by one spouse. Many divorces are sought on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences,” which simply means you no longer get along and therefore do not wish to remain married. 

If you are getting divorced due to a more specific grievance, however, it may be wise to establish fault. Types of “fault” recognized in Georgia include infidelity, theft, and violence, and these concerns will likely be heavily considered when deciding matters of property division, child custody, and spousal support.

Each spouse will come into divorce proceedings with different expectations. In many cases, these expectations will clash in unpleasant ways. The more both sides can work together to accomplish the divorce, the more likely the process will not become damaging and drawn out. To that end, we have experience assisting clients with uncontested divorces. This approach can save you a tremendous amount of time, money, and emotional energy.

It is still wise to retain capable legal representation if you and your spouse are working toward an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce eliminates many court hearings and allows you to work out the important details of your separation directly with your spouse. However, you must agree on all elements of the divorce settlement. Our Barrow County divorce attorneys can assist with negotiations and advise you of any effects or ramifications of the decisions made. Once a compromise has been reached, our team can prepare the agreement and submit it to the applicable judge for review. 

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Divorce in Georgia?

There are a variety of factors that affect the cost of a divorce in Georgia, including the complexity of the case and the legal fees involved. Divorces in the state are generally subject to court filing fees, service of process fees, and other administrative costs. Also, if one or both parties have attorneys, they will have to pay for their own legal fees. 

The costs of mediation, child support/custody evaluations, and travel for divorced spouses may also be incurred. It is important to remember that divorce can be expensive so it is wise to discuss the possible financial implications with an experienced Georgia divorce attorney before making any decisions. 

With any questions, give our Barrow County divorce attorney a call today.

What Must Be Decided in a Georgia Divorce

If you seek an uncontested divorce, you must agree on all terms of your settlement, and the judge must determine that the proposed settlement is fair. If you are unable to agree on everything without the involvement of the courts, you will need to file a contested divorce. The judge assigned to your case will assess a variety of wide variety of factors when determining how to resolve the conflicts.

In a contested or uncontested George divorce, your settlement will address:

• Child Custody and Visitation. Who will your children live with? Who gets a say in how your children are raised? If your children d not live with you, how often will you get to see them?
• Child Support. If you are the custodial parent, how will your ex-spouse support the financial needs of your children? If you are not the custodial parent, how much will you need to contribute?
• Spousal Support (Alimony). Who needs additional support to become financially independent? Who has to pay spousal maintenance, and how much?
• Property Division. Who gets what? What is considered “marital” property, and what happens to contested assets?

When children are part of a marriage, they tend to become a major focus of the divorce. Our Barrow County divorce lawyers are prepared to ensure your parental rights and the best interests of your children are always in consideration throughout the divorce process.

Deciding to get divorced is a big step that will bring about a tremendous amount of change. Charged emotions and uncertainty are inevitable, but our family lawyers at the Mitchell & Crunk Law Firm will do everything possible to calm your fears and relieve your concerns. We will handle the preparation of all court documents so that you can focus on making the decisions that will impact your future. No matter your circumstances, we will provide the empathetic representation your family needs to get through this challenging time. 

Start discussing your divorce options with us today. Contact us online or call (678) 701-6252 to schedule a free consultation.