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Kessler & Solomiany, LLC > Divorce

Atlanta Divorce Attorneys

Regardless of who initiated it, the decision to divorce is rarely a sudden one. Perhaps when you look in the mirror each morning, you say to yourself, “I need to get out of this marriage. It is no longer working, and it is beyond repair. I need to start a new life.” Or maybe your spouse has made that decision for the both of you. One thing is certain—we all want to stay in love forever. However, this is not always the reality. In fact, nearly 50 percent of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce. Nobody wants to be part of this statistic; nevertheless, when all hope for reconciliation is gone, sometimes divorce is the only avenue for recapturing the life you deserve.

Kessler & Solomiany, LLC has a team of more than 25 professionals, including lawyers, paralegals, and clerks, making the firm one of the largest and most prominent family law firms in the Southeast. You owe it to yourself and your family to be fully prepared. Your steps, moving forward, include finding a lawyer, developing a budget, filing and serving divorce papers, determining costs, taking deposition testimony, seeking custody of children, and dividing assets. It is our life’s work and goal to make a difference in your journey and the challenging journeys of families facing difficult times.

Why Should I Hire a Divorce Attorney?

If you can afford a lawyer, then you should schedule an initial consultation right away. Rather than just calling a family friend who happens to be a lawyer or finding someone online, you must contact an attorney who specializes in divorce and/or family law. The Constitution of the United States grants the states the power to regulate issues relating to the family. Therefore, as you can imagine, there are nuances between each state’s divorce laws that only a trained family law attorney can properly recognize. Remember, your lawyer is there to protect your interests throughout what may be a long and complicated ordeal, and that can only occur if they understand the intricacies of divorce law in your state.

Perhaps you are parting with your spouse as good friends, and you think that you can handle the division of your property and other matters on your own. There is a common phrase among family law attorneys: “In our profession, we see the best people at their worst.” Although you were once a union of two people, you are becoming two individuals. Sadly, even the closest friends will disagree on the division of money, property, goods, and, most importantly, issues relating to their children. Your spouse will undoubtedly be securing a lawyer’s services, so you should as well, even if you feel like it is an amicable divorce. And no, one lawyer cannot represent both of you. That’s an ethical conflict for the lawyer. You need a lawyer who is 100 percent on your side with no divided loyalties.

Be aware, however, that getting a divorce in America today is not like appearing in a courtroom on reality television. It will not be neatly wrapped up in a 30-minute time slot. In fact, the process can last months and even years, with lengthy negotiations over the division of property and intense depositions. Finding a lawyer you can trust and depend on will help you navigate the most expeditious course through these swirling waters.

To put it simply, you really need a lawyer. A good divorce lawyer will give you honest advice, based on your best interests.

Discovery Process in a Divorce

Grounds for Divorce

You may have heard terms like “irreconcilable differences,” “mental cruelty,” and “adultery” in reference to grounds for divorce. The term “ground” refers to the reason you are seeking this legal dissolution of your marriage. In most states, there are multiple grounds for divorce. One ground each state offers is “no-fault,” meaning there does not need to be a showing of wrongdoing by either party. The fact that one party considers the marriage irrevocably broken means that a divorce can take place. No-fault divorces are available in all fifty states. Most divorces are granted on such “grounds,” even though other grounds may exist.

By contrast, there are also “fault-based” grounds for seeking a divorce. These could include mental cruelty or adultery, but more and more, courts are not basing the divorce on these grounds. Of course, there are cases in which a person is determined to receive a divorce based on the adultery of the other spouse, and the judge may grant the divorce based on this claim. However, in most cases, the judge or your attorney will ask during direct or cross-examination, “Do you believe that this marriage is beyond repair?” If the answer is yes, then that is all a judge needs to know. Nevertheless, adultery and abuse may still be vital components of your case and they will certainly play a factor in important issues, such as how the marital estate is divided between spouses. In addition, these facts may be important during the negotiation phase of the divorce. For example, in some states adultery may be a complete bar to alimony, and child or spousal abuse will almost certainly affect the court’s custody determination.

Read More: Statutory Grounds for Divorce in Georgia

Types of Divorce Cases

Just as not all marriages are the same, not all divorces are the same either. Depending on the circumstances of your divorce, there are many ways it can be handled, including:

Regardless of which method your situation calls for, our divorce attorneys are prepared to help you make it through the process. Call (404) 688-8810 to set up a consultation.

What documents should I bring to the initial consultation?

In Georgia, you will be required to fill out a “domestic relations financial affidavit” (DRFA) or something similar. The DRFA is a sworn statement attesting to your income, assets, debts, liabilities, monthly expenses, and any other relevant financial information. If you have to go to court for any reason later on, the judge will not want to whip out a calculator to add up your monthly water, gas, and grocery bills. Instead, the judge will want to know generally how much money you need to live and how much you earn each month. You will have to provide that information as accurately as possible. If you are not comfortable preparing this statement, you should enlist the help of a certified public accountant or ask your attorney for a recommendation on how to proceed.

Your DRFA may become the most important document in your case. Take your time and make it accurate. Be honest. Go over all of your expenses and work with your attorney to make sure you are not leaving anything important out of your list of needs. For example, do not feel guilty or greedy; this is not the time to be conservative and show the judge how thrifty you can be. No one will be impressed—including the judge. More importantly, do not lie or exaggerate. If you spend a lot of money on jewelry or other luxuries, put that expense in the affidavit, but do not include expenses that are simply on your wishlist.

This DRFA may be the first document you complete in your divorce process and, to repeat, it may also be the most important. For example, your attorney may be required to send this to the court very early in the process so the court and opposing counsel are aware of your immediate expense needs. Additionally, a judge may use your DRFA later on to determine how much money you will receive to live on.

Before You File for Divorce: Preliminary Decisions

Remember that despite the adversarial nature of divorce, your attorney and the court require full disclosure. The fact is that two households will now have to live on the same finances that previously supported only one household. This means that you may not receive all the relief you seek. However, if you do not ask for it, you are not going to get it, either. This balance is the key and it is one of the most important facts to realize and come to terms with in your divorce.

Contact Our Attorneys Today

As you face the winding road of divorce, leave no stone unturned. Explore all of your options as you can never be informed and knowledgeable enough and need to depend on an experienced and competent team to assist you. Stay focused, get the facts you need, and seek out the professionals who will guide and assist you through the process; and at every step of the way, keep hope in your heart and the determination required to get through this difficult experience in a meaningful way. On a positive and hopeful note, time and time again, years after a divorce Kessler & Solomiany, LLC team will see someone who had one of the most difficult divorces you could ever imagine. To begin on the road forward as quickly as possible, call on our experienced team at Kessler & Solomiany, LLC to walk you through the process. Contact us at (404) 688-8810.

Divorce FAQs

Is my marriage valid?

If you meet the legal requirements of being able to form an enforceable contract with someone (i.e. you are of age, you are not under the influence of drugs, etc.), you enter into a contract to marry, and you consummate the marriage, your marriage will likely be considered valid. Certain obvious exceptions exist, of course, such as when an individual tries to enter into an existing marriage while still married to another. A lawyer can give you a more complete explanation if you are concerned that your marriage may not be valid.

Is divorce easy?

The divorce process can be complicated or simple, based in large part on how you and your spouse interact. The more the two of you can agree upon, the easier (and less costly) it will be.

What is “Common Law Marriage”?

Common Law Marriage is a term which generally meant that if you lived with someone, considered yourself married and held yourself out to the world as a married couple, then you were considered married under the concept of “Common Law Marriage”. To be considered married under this theory, you did not need to have gone through a wedding ceremony. If you were indeed married under this theory, you remained married until a court granted you a divorce. In Georgia, this concept was eliminated as of January 1, 1997. However, if you were married under this theory prior to January 1, 1997, you may still be considered married under Georgia law.

Does the Court have or need to be involved at all?

Yes. The Court will have to either determine the issues, or, if all issues are agreed upon, the Court will need to approve the final result. More importantly, only the Court (not the legislature or the mayor or governor) has the authority to grant you a divorce and thereby free each party to marry again.

What grounds do I need for a divorce?

In Georgia there are 13 grounds for divorce. One ground is “irretrievably broken” (also known as the “no-fault” ground) which has become the most common (and least contentious) ground for divorce. The remaining 12 grounds for divorce are considered the “fault” grounds.

Do I need to prove “fault”?

No. You may seek and obtain a “no-fault” divorce in Georgia.

What is a legal separation or separate maintenance?

In Georgia, you are legally separated if you are no longer engaging in marital relations and you consider yourself to be in an actual state of separation. You can be separated even if you are living in the same household as your spouse. To file a case for divorce, you must be in such a state of separation. The court will not grant you a “legal separation”. Rather, you must swear that you are in an actual state of separation and then the court can grant a divorce or an Order for “Separate Maintenance”. “Separate Maintenance” is a lawsuit which may be filed in Georgia to address all issues which could be addressed in a divorce case except for the granting of a divorce. Oftentimes people file a case for Separate Maintenance instead of a Divorce for differing reasons. Some of those reasons include religious or moral opposition to divorce or a desire to remain married for a legal benefit (to maintain insurance, social security, etc.) or other various reasons which a lawyer can discuss with you in detail.

What is a “no-fault” divorce?

To obtain a “no-fault” divorce (irretrievably broken), one party must simply prove that, to them, the marriage is over. This can be proven through sworn testimony of one party, even if none of the “fault” grounds exist.

What is a “fault” divorce?

To obtain a “fault” divorce which is neither required, nor necessarily advantageous, one must establish that there was some misconduct by one of the parties which actually caused the divorce. An example of such misconduct is adultery. Adultery in Georgia includes heterosexual and homosexual relations between one spouse and another individual. Other “fault” grounds include desertion; mental incapacity at the time of marriage; impotency at the time of marriage; force or fraud in obtaining the marriage; conviction and imprisonment for certain crimes; mental or physical cruel treatment; habitual intoxication or drug addiction; and mental illness.

Do I need to live in the state of Georgia to get a divorce here?

Yes, generally, at least one spouse must be living in Georgia and have lived in Georgia for at least six months.

What if we still live together when I file for divorce?

That is fine, but spouses must be considered “separated” in a legal sense. Spouses may generally be considered separated even if they live under the same roof as long as they are not having sexual relations.

How do I actually file for a divorce?

The person seeking the divorce (the “plaintiff” or “petitioner”) must file a document in the appropriate Superior Court. This document is called the “complaint” or “petition.” The complaint contains information concerning the marriage such as current living arrangements, children of the marriage, description of marital assets and debts, and the specific reason(s) for seeking divorce. A copy of the complaint will be served on the other spouse (the “defendant” or “respondent”) by a sheriff of the appropriate county, or that spouse may acknowledge service by signing a specific document in the presence of a notary public.

Where do I file for divorce?

Generally, a complaint for divorce should be filed in the Superior Court of the defendant’s county of residence or, if the defendant no longer resides in the state of Georgia, in the county of the plaintiff’s residence. With the defendant’s consent, or if defendant had previously lived with plaintiff and has been gone for less than 6 months, the complaint may be filed in the plaintiff’s county of residence.

I just received a complaint for divorce from my spouse, now what?

Quickly contact and consult a family lawyer. You have 30 days to “answer” the complaint in writing. The answer allows you to give “your side of the story” and to admit or deny each claim in the complaint. You may also file a “counterclaim” and seek a divorce in response to your spouse seeking a divorce.

Can I get the court to help me immediately?

Either spouse may request a temporary hearing where issues of child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, debts and possession of property may be resolved on a temporary basis until final resolution. The judge will issue a temporary order that applies only until the time of the final trial. The temporary order may also prohibit the transfer or selling of assets, or prevent one party from interfering with the other party, or from interfering with the party’s children.

What if there is violence?

Call the police. Additionally, either a lawyer, or a social agency can assist a party in filing a lawsuit to prevent family violence. The court can immediately address issues such as temporary use of a home and restraining orders even if the parties are not married.

Will a judge or jury decide my case?

If parties are not able to resolve their issues by mutual agreement, questions of child custody, visitation and attorney’s fees can only be determined by the judge (not a jury). However, the judge or, if one of the parties requests, a jury, will resolve the financial issues of the marriage (i.e., division of property, division of debts, alimony and child support). Both spouses may introduce evidence by their own testimony and may also summon other witnesses to the final trial. The decision returned by a judge or jury is written into a court order that is binding upon both parties. At any temporary hearing, only the judge (not a jury) makes the decisions.

What about my children?

Typically, until a court ruling or agreement, married persons share custody. The judge will try to fashion a custody plan which is in the “best interests of the child.” The judge will consider many factors including the age and sex of the child, and the ability of each parent to care for and nurture the child. A child who has reached 14 years of age may generally choose which parent will have custody. A child who is age 11, 12, or 13 may speak to the judge, but the judge is not required to follow the child’s wishes.

Can I share custody?

Yes. The court can award joint custody instead of sole custody. There are two types of joint custody: (i) Joint legal custody, where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child; and (ii) joint physical custody, where physical custody is shared by the parents in such a way to assure the child substantially equal time and contact with both parents. In awarding joint custody, the court may order joint legal custody, joint physical custody or both. Regardless of the label, the parties should attempt to agree upon (or the court will decide) who has the right to make a decision affecting a child if the parties cannot agree.

I have heard about “custody seminars.” What are they?

Many courts now require that parties to a case involving minor children attend a seminar to help them cope with the ramifications of the case for children. You should check with the court system in your county to see if this applies to you.

What are my (or the other person’s) child support obligations?

In Georgia, both parents can be required to provide assistance to their children until a child reaches the age of 18 years if not in high school, graduates from high school if eighteen (18) years or older, reaches the age of 20 years and is still in high school, dies, marries, is emancipated or joins the military, whichever event occurs first. The non-custodial parent will generally be required to provide a reasonable amount of child support to the custodial parent to assist with living expenses. Child support may also include health insurance, payment of medical and dental expenses, and life insurance.

Child Support Guidelines are in effect in Georgia. The guidelines are located in the Official Code of Georgia in section 19-6-15. A calculation will need to be made to determine the appropriate amount of child support. The amount can vary based on various factors including time the non-custodial parent spends with the child(ren), the ages of the child(ren), day care costs, medical costs, education costs, significant income or debt of either party, and obligations to another household. Each year the legislature considers revising these guidelines, so check with a lawyer to be sure these guidelines are still in effect at the time your case is filed. There is a good chance these laws will change by the time your case begins.

Additionally, the court will look at the budget of each party. Each party is required to prepare a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit (see sample on web site: ). The court can then balance the income and expenses of each party when determining the appropriate level of child support (and/or alimony).

What about college?

The court cannot force parents to pay for college expenses. However, parents can agree between themselves to pay support beyond the age of 18 and/or to pay for college expenses.

What is alimony?

Alimony is a support payment by one spouse to another which, based upon various factors may be appropriate in a particular case. Alimony is generally not available to a spouse who caused the dissolution of the marriage by their adultery or desertion. Alimony may be for a limited time period or until the spouse receiving alimony dies or remarries, or may be paid in one lump sum. Again, the court will review the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit (see sample on our web site under “client forms”) when determining the issue of alimony. Factors the court will consider in determining alimony include the length of the marriage; health of each party; assets of each party; and the contributions of each party to homemaking, child raising, and career building of the other party.

What happens to “our” possessions now?

Marital property is generally all property acquired during the marriage, except for that property received by gift from a third party or by inheritance. Each spouse is entitled to an “equitable” (which does not mean equal) share of all marital property acquired during the marriage. There is no set formula or percentage amount used to divide marital property; however, credit may be given to a party who has contributed “separate” or “premarital” property to the marriage. Georgia case law sets forth a complicated formula to determine how the contribution of “separate” property to the marriage is to be handled. Contact a lawyer to discuss this matter if it is an issue in your situation.

How will the court orders be enforced?

Court orders for money can generally be enforced by garnishment, attachments of property or by a contempt action. Custody and visitation orders may be enforced in a variety of ways from contempt applications to warrants for wrongfully taking or withholding a child.

How long will the whole process take?

It depends. If you reach an agreement on all issues, the divorce is considered “uncontested,” and may be granted 31 days after everything is filed (barring a change in Georgia law; check with an attorney as laws change and this time period is constantly subject to change). If disagreement exists regarding any matter involved in the divorce, the divorce will be obtained when the case reaches the court, which can take many months or even years depending on the court’s schedule. Of course, if you reach an agreement while the case is pending, you can submit that to the court almost immediately and the case will be over and the divorce will be granted.

My spouse and I agree on all matters concerning the divorce, do we still need a lawyer?

Hiring a lawyer, even when parties are in agreement on all terms, will ensure that all matters which should be covered in a divorce are addressed. Acting without a lawyer could end up being a costly error, both to the parties and to their children. Also, a lawyer may only represent one party, so each party should consult with a lawyer of their own choosing. Even if you agree on all issues, you may not recognize or realize potential, even unintended pitfalls which a lawyer may help you avoid. However, Georgia law does not require that you have a lawyer and if you can navigate the legal system and file the appropriate documents while following the applicable rules, it is possible to file and complete a divorce without lawyers involved. This is known as proceeding “pro se.”

How much do lawyers cost?

As is the case with any professional, cost varies from law firm to law firm. Lawyers cannot charge a “contingency fee” in a divorce case, so they charge either by the hour or a flat fee. Flat fees are rare, except when the case is truly “uncontested” and all terms have been agreed upon. In a flat fee case, the cost may range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the lawyer and the complexity of the issues (transfers of real estate, retirement funds and the like). For a contested case, most lawyers require a retainer which is an up-front payment which may serve either or both of two purposes: to ensure the lawyer is available and cannot accept employment by the opposing party and to serve as an advance payment for services to be rendered. Most lawyers then bill against that retainer and ask that it be replenished when it runs low or is depleted. Retainers can range from $1,000.00 (or less) to $25,000.00 (or more), depending on the complexity of the case and the law firm’s usual practice. Hourly rates charged by lawyers and paralegals vary, but will usually be $100.00 per hour or more for paralegals and from $150.00 to $500.00 per hour for lawyer time.

Where can I find more information about divorce?

There are many resources available. You might consider visiting the Fulton Family Court Website for information about the Fulton County Family Division Court. The best way to learn more about divorce or family law is to arrange a consultation with a family law attorney. You may also purchase “Divorce: Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future” written by the firm’s founding partner. For more info or to purchase a copy, go to divorceprotectyourself.com.

Asset Division Process

Randall Kessler on Uncontested Divorce

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