how to get a divorce without an attorney in georgia

by Maiya Gibson 4 min read

How to File an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia
  1. Complete the Divorce Paperwork. You begin by completing a "Complaint for Divorce" (sometimes referred to as a "Petition"). ...
  2. File Your Paperwork and Pay Filing Fees. When you've completed the complaint, you'll have to file it with the court. ...
  3. Serve Your Spouse.

How to file for an uncontested divorce in Georgia easily?

Sep 11, 2020 · One of the requirements of divorce in Georgia is establishing residency. For Georgia to have jurisdiction over your divorce case, one of the spouses must have been a resident of the state for at least six months before filing. Generally, divorce suits are to be filled in the country where the respondent resides.

How to get a divorce in Georgia for free?

File for divorce with your county’s Clerk of the Superior Court. You must file for divorce with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse have lived for at least 6 months. You’ll start by filing a complaint for divorce, or petition for divorce, with the legal grounds for your divorce and what issues you want the court to address.

What are the rules for divorce in Georgia?

Online Divorce in Georgia 100% Court Approval Guarantee Best price $139 File for a divorce without an attorney in the State of Georgia. Using our Divorce Online Georgia service, you will get carefully drafted divorce paperwork formatted according to your court standards within a few business days. Get Your Divorce Forms Completed Online

How much does divorce cost in Georgia?

Feb 25, 2022 · Six steps to an Georgia divorce. Initiate the divorce process; Notify your spouse; Decide whether to pursue an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce; Decide whether to hire an attorney or not; Resolve the three big issues; Finalize all paperwork; Or you could use an online service to streamline the process

Can I get a divorce in Georgia without a lawyer?

Georgia law allows you to represent yourself in all legal cases. With this, you can apply for a divorce without an attorney.Sep 11, 2020

How much does a divorce cost without a lawyer in Georgia?

Georgia filing fees for an uncontested divorce are generally around $200, and for an additional fee, the sheriff or an appointee from the court can deliver your petition to your spouse.

Can you file for divorce yourself in Georgia?

If your spouse has moved out of the state of Georgia, you may be permitted to file your do it yourself divorce in the county in which you live.

How can I get a quick divorce in GA?

In Georgia, the quickest way to get a divorce is through an uncontested divorce, which can be finalized in as short as a month. An uncontested divorce is one in which all issues related to the divorce have been settled between the parties, including equitable division, child custody, child support, and/or alimony.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Georgia?

And there is no specific time period required, although at least 30 days is recommended. So, if you live in Georgia, you are legally separated if either spouse moves out, or moves into another bedroom, with the intention to file divorce. In Blasingame v. Blasingame, 249 Ga.

How much does it cost to get a divorce if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

Can I get a divorce without my spouse knowing?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

How do I start the divorce process?

How to start a divorceStep 1 – Can you do it yourself? It is possible to handle your divorce yourself, without legal advice. ... Step 2 – consult a family lawyer. ... Step 3 – Go to court. ... Step 4 – Self-care.Mar 5, 2020

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing in Georgia?

Under the no-fault grounds, irreconcilable differences between you and your spouse are sufficient for the court to grant the divorce. Therefore, even if you do not “sign” the divorce papers, your spouse can still obtain a divorce in Georgia.Jun 3, 2021

Are online divorces legal in Georgia?

The state of Georgia does not accept divorce petitions that are filed by fax or online. That does not mean that you cannot begin an online divorce in Georgia. It simply means that you will have to file your divorce petition in person.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Unopposed divorces An uncontested divorce can arise in two instances, the first being a situation where the sheriff has served the summons, and your spouse fails to defend the action. In this instance, the court may grant you a decree of divorce by default.Aug 7, 2019

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Georgia?

What is a spouse entitled to in a divorce in Georgia? Under Georgia law, each spouse is entitled to an “equitable” share of the marital property. This does not equate to an equal division, but instead a “fair” split between the parties.

Where to file a divorce petition in Georgia?

You should file the Petition with the Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court of the Georgia county in which your spouse resides. If he/she has moved out of Georgia, you may file it in your county. You should detail the major reasons you are seeking a divorce in the Petition.

How long do you have to live in Georgia before filing for divorce?

You or your spouse must have resided in Georgia for at least six continuous months prior to filing for divorce. The Petition for Divorce and Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce must be filed in the Superior Court of the county where one or both spouses reside. You must provide information about living arrangements, assets, debts, ...

What happens if my spouse doesn't file an answer?

If your spouse does not file an Answer within the allotted period, they effectively relinquish their right to be heard in court. The judge may award you all of the concessions you seek in the Petition by reason of Default. To complete the divorce in this case, you must file

What is the service of process in Georgia?

In order to provide both parties an equal opportunity to present their position in the case, your spouse must be legally notified about the divorce. This is called Service of Process and in Georgia this legal notice may be fulfilled by

What to do if you cannot resolve your differences?

If you and your spouse cannot resolve your differences independently or with the aid of a mediator, you will need to go to trial where the judge will determine an equitable solution. To best protect your interests in a trial, you will need to hire an experienced divorce lawyer.

How long does it take to get divorced?

In some cases, a judge can grant a divorce in as little as 30 days.

What is the principle of equitable distribution in Georgia?

In Georgia, the divorce courts adhere to the principle of “equitable distribution” which divides marital property in a fair way. Marital property is distinct from non-marital property, which is. Acquired before the marriage; or. Received through inheritance or gift. Excluded due to a prenuptial agreement.

How long do you have to be a resident to file for divorce in Georgia?

If you live in another state, you can still file for divorce in the Georgia courts if your spouse has been a resident of the state for at least six months.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Georgia?

There is a fee of approximately $200 to file for divorce in Georgia. There may be additional fees for a process server, document preparation, and for administrative costs such as copies. If you are low income, you may be eligible to have the filing fee reduced or waived by the court.

How many reasons can you have for divorce in Georgia?

Georgia law allows for a total of 13 different legal reasons, called grounds, for a total divorce. Twelve are fault-based. You will have to allege, and later prove, that your spouse did something wrong. The last, and most common, is the no-fault option, a simple statement that the marriage is "irretrievably broken.".

What happens if you don't appear in court?

If you fail to appear, your divorce could be seriously delayed or even dismissed.

How much does a mediation cost in Cobb County?

Mediation costs are usually split between the parties and, according to the Cobb County court, average about $175 per hour. If the divorce is grounded in domestic violence or credible threats of child abuse, you should consult with a family law attorney before filing your case as a pro se litigant.

How long do you have to live in Georgia to get divorce?

You must have been a bona fide resident of the state for at least six months before you file for divorce. You don't need to have lived at the same address, but had to have maintained residency in the state.

When did common law marriage end in Georgia?

Common law marriage was outlawed in Georgia in 2010 and the law explicitly states: If you entered into a common law marriage before January 1, 1997, it is recognized by the state. Therefore you will need to get a divorce.

How long does it take to get divorce in Georgia?

In either case, individuals can submit an application for divorce using Georgia’s uncontested divorce forms so long as both parties are agreeable to all terms and conditions of the divorce. An uncontested divorce usually takes about 31 days after the submission of the divorce papers.

How does the amount of help determine the cost of divorce?

The amount of help needed determines the cost of divorce. A lot of hardships during the process could result in pressing financial difficulties. The longer the divorce process takes, the more costly it can become, especially when employing advisors and attorneys since they are often paid by the hour. You must try to get the best possible deal when hiring advisors and attorneys.

Is it expensive to get a divorce lawyer?

Attorney fees are usually the most expensive aspect of a divorce. Some couples choose to represent themselves for the divorce proceedings rather than use a lawyer. If you choose to act as your own attorney, just be aware that you are expected to be well versed with the legal system and to behave respectfully in court. Otherwise, this could end up being a frustrating process putting you at a severe disadvantage in the case.

How to serve divorce papers in Georgia?

If you believe that your spouse will accept service of the Complaint, then you can mail them the paperwork. In return, they will need to acknowledge service by signing an Acknowledgement of Service in front of a notary.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Georgia?

Be prepared to pay a filing fee when you submit your paperwork. In Georgia, fees will cost about $200, but you may also need to pay for a process server, document preparation and certain administrative costs as well.

What are the grounds for annulment in Georgia?

To be granted an annulment in Georgia, one of the following grounds must be present: One or both spouses was mentally incompetent at the time of the marriage ceremony. One or both spouses was underage at the time of the marriage and didn’t obtain a parent’s or guardian’s consent.

How to annul a marriage without parental consent?

To proceed with an annulment, one of the spouses must petition for an annul ment with the court. If the grounds concern an underage person who married without parental consent, then the parent can file the annulment petition. Divorce. Divorce is a permanent and legal end to a marriage.

What does it mean to annul a marriage in Georgia?

An annulment means that legally a marriage never actually existed. Annulments are rarely granted in Georgia. Courts require a high degree of proof before granting an annulment. If you and your spouse already have children or if you or your spouse is pregnant, you cannot be granted an annulment under Georgia law.

What are the fault based grounds for divorce in Georgia?

The 12 fault-based grounds for divorce in Georgia are: Adultery. Cruel treatment that includes the willful infliction of pain, bodily or mental, upon the complaining party, such as reasonably justifies apprehension of danger to life, limb, or health”.

Why do spouses consent to marriage in Georgia?

One or both spouses consented to the marriage only because of coercion or fraud exerted by another person. The marriage is between persons of the same sex. Georgia does not recognize or permit same-sex marriage, so this includes same-sex marriages performed in other states.

How long does it take to get divorced in Georgia?

After a petitioner files for divorce in Georgia, a defendant has 30 days to respond to the action after they receive paperwork. If they do not reply during that time frame, then a judge may enter a default judgment.

How long do you have to be a resident of Georgia to get divorced?

If you or your spouse are a member of the U.S. armed forces and you want to get divorced in Georgia, one of you must be a resident of Georgia for at least six months prior to filing a divorce action. The six-month requirement is extended to one year if you live on a military base.

What is separate property in divorce?

The first step in this process is determining what is marital property in a divorce and what is separate property. Gifts, inheritances, and assets that a spouse owned before a marriage are considered separate most of the time, although there are exceptions such as when assets are commingled.

What are the reasons for a no fault divorce?

There are also 12 fault-based reasons that can be cited as well, including adultery, substance abuse, and others.

Can you drop your spouse's insurance in Georgia?

There is no law on the books in Georgia that prevents one spouse from dropping the other spouse from coverage while a divorce is pending. However, the spouse in danger of losing coverage can petition the court for continued coverage if they are vulnerable and the court may enter an order preventing termination. Children can also be covered under this order, and settlements after the fact will always address the issue of healthcare for any children as well.

Is Georgia a fair distribution state?

Marital Property and Division of Assets in Georgia. Georgia is an equitable distribution state. This does not mean that property division will be equal. After taking many factors into consideration, the courts will decide on a division of assets that is fair after taking many factors into consideration.

Is Georgia a 50-50 divorce state?

Georgia is an equitable distribution state, and courts will attempt to distribute assets in a divorce in a fair and equitable way, but not necessarily with a 50-50 split. There are several factors governing the division of assets that can impact the final outcome in many possible ways.