It’s wrong to think that a divorce is a time-consuming and financially draining process for everyone. Couples in Georgia often forgo hiring an attorney and turn to an online divorce service. Online divorce has become an increasingly popular way to reduce the time and money spent on marriage dissolution. Reasons for filing for divorce online vary: some fear the expensive costs of engaging an attorney, others are afraid of unpredictable assets that stay hidden until the very end of the divorce process.
In Georgia, a divorcing couple can end their marriage without having to engage in a court battle. Since 1973, divorcing spouses have had the right to end their marriage peacefully. And there is no need to show any fault or misconduct. Even though courts favor marriages over divorce, judges won’t refuse to grant a divorce if you and your spouse claim that there is no hope for saving the marriage. Getting a divorce over the Internet is a convenient and affordable process, and there are some simple steps to take to get it done faster.
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Are Do-It-Yourself Divorce Proceedings Allowed In Georgia?
Georgia is a no-fault divorce state, therefore, a do-it-yourself divorce proceeding is allowed. You can take much of the work and stress out of this process by using online services. In fact, you can complete all forms in 20 minutes or less. Some cases may take longer, but overall it’s a pretty quick and straightforward process.
Do You Need A Lawyer?
In Georgia, you don’t need to be represented by a lawyer. When a respondent doesn’t have an attorney, the party is referred to as “pro se”. If you have an uncontested divorce, you can prepare the forms, file them with the court, and represent yourself.
Residency Requirements
Georgia has certain requirements where a couple must establish residency within the state they’re divorcing. To start a divorce process, you or your spouse must have lived in Georgia for at least six months.
There are many ways to prove an established residency. The fastest way is if you have a valid Georgia ID card, driver’s license, or voter’s registration card. If you don’t have any of these documents, you can establish residency by having another person testify that you’ve lived in Georgia.
A petitioner who has been a resident of any US army post within Georgia for at least a year may bring an action for divorce in any county adjacent to that army post.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Georgia?
When it comes to the dissolution of marriage, one thing that determines the costs of the process is what kind of documents you’ll need. As each case is unique, every couple needs different divorce papers, and so costs will vary. The filing fees are pretty high in Georgia, but getting everything done online will help keep the costs down.
The simplest procedure is for the divorce to be uncontested. An uncontested divorce is where you and your spouse reach an agreement about everything. In an uncontested case, the process can be completed without the assistance of an attorney. Therefore, the cost of a divorce shouldn’t be burdensome. While a few decades ago you had to schedule appointments with a lawyer and needed a lot of money to pay for their services, this is no longer the case.
Getting a divorce in Georgia is easier than you might think, just follow these simple steps.
Step 1. Qualify for divorce
For couples seeking an inexpensive divorce in Georgia, online divorce is a fast solution. To qualify for an online divorce, you need to make sure that your divorce is uncontested and you and your spouse have agreed to everything, including child custody, spousal support, and the division of debt and assets. When you apply for a divorce online, our company will prepare your divorce papers and send them to you.
Step 2. Provide your case details
An important part of a DIY divorce is including all details of your divorce. This includes all vital information, such as names, addresses, the date of your marriage, what property you are dividing (if any) and names and birthdates of your children. You will also have to specify no-fault grounds for divorce.
You can typically get all documents on the court’s websites, but knowing which documents you need and how to fill them out correctly can be tricky. By using an online divorce service you simply provide the information about your case, and the service will select and fill out all the necessary forms. With a web divorce, you get easy to follow step-by-step instructions through the whole process and quick answers to your questions.
Step 3. Get your papers
Once you’ve sent all case details, you will receive your completed divorce forms. A standard waiting period is one or two days to receive them electronically. You can also have all your divorce documents mailed to you. Some of the documents become legal and binding contracts when signed by both spouses.
Step 4. File for divorce
The sooner you are done with your paperwork, the sooner your divorce papers can be filed and the sooner your divorce can be finalized. Filing for your divorce requires submitting the completed, signed forms to the clerk of court’s office and paying the filing fee. The court will stamp your petition officially initiating your divorce.
The only remaining step left after this is for the judge to review the papers and sign them.
On average, a dissolution of marriage without an attorney can be completed within 60 days. This time is required for the divorce to be finalized. Still, this is pretty fast and stress-free
Dividing Property, Alimony, and Child Custody in Georgia
Property division is one of the most important matters during the divorce case in Georgia. However, the state legislature does not provide any guidelines, so this may be determined by the spouses or a judge. The only requirement is that the property is divided in a fair and equitable manner.
Georgia divorce law specifies that alimony can be awarded according to the needs of the spouse seeking it. Assistance can be decided together by the couple before filing for divorce or by the judge. When deciding on the amount and duration of spousal support, the court will consider evidence of the cause of the separation as well as:
- the length of the marriage;
- marital property;
- costs of education and childcare;
- the earning capacity of each spouse;
- the emotional and physical wellness of each spouse;
- the value of separate property;
- the time necessary for a spouse to get proper education and find employment to fulfill his or her needs;
- the standard of living established during the marriage;
- and overall financial resources of each spouse.
Spousal support ends if the spouse remarries.
In Georgia, the court tries to create a custody situation that’s comfortable for the parents and the children. Most often, some type of shared custody will fulfill this requirement, except in cases where a child’s safety may be an issue, such as if one parent has a history of violence or abuse. If the parents can come up with a parenting plan that meets the best interests of the child, it will most likely be accepted by the court.
Getting an online divorce in Georgia is easier than you might think, and it’s possible to do it yourself. This is a more affordable option as it removes lots of the formalities of the court process and allows you to proceed without having to pay an attorney.
