Georgia Divorce Self-Help Tools

An uncontested divorce in Georgia can be finalized as quickly as 31 days after the defendant is served or signs an acknowledgment of service. Contested divorces, however, can take anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the issues and the court's schedule.

No, you are not legally required to have a lawyer to get divorced in Georgia. You can file 'pro se' (representing yourself). However, if your case involves complex property division, significant assets, child custody disputes, or if your spouse has an attorney, it is highly recommended to seek legal counsel.

Yes, Georgia allows for no-fault divorce. You can file on the grounds that the marriage is 'irretrievably broken,' meaning there is no hope for reconciliation. Georgia also recognizes 12 fault-based grounds for divorce, such as adultery, desertion, or cruel treatment, which can impact alimony and property division.

Georgia follows the principle of 'equitable distribution.' This means that marital property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage) is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally (50/50). The judge will consider various factors, including each spouse's financial status, contributions to the marriage, and future needs.

In Georgia, child custody is determined based on the 'best interests of the child.' The court considers factors such as the child's age, the emotional ties between the child and each parent, each parent's capacity to provide for the child, and the child's home environment. Children aged 14 or older may have the right to choose which parent they want to live with, subject to the judge's approval.