Are you considering divorce in Savannah, Georgia, and wondering what steps to take next? A Savannah divorce lawyer at Crystal Wright Law, LLC can explain your rights and help you make informed decisions about your family and future. Contact us today at (404) 594-2143 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your situation.
Divorce can raise difficult questions about your children, home, finances, and property. Whether your case involves child custody, support, property division, or other concerns, understanding the legal process can help you prepare for the decisions ahead.
Why Choose Crystal Wright Law, LLC for Help With a Divorce in Savannah, GA?
Crystal Wright Law, LLC is a Georgia family law firm dedicated to serving families with compassion, personal attention, and experienced legal guidance. The firm focuses exclusively on family law, giving its attorneys substantial experience handling divorce, child custody, child support, property division, and other complex family matters.
Our team has developed a client-centered and results-focused approach to family law. The firm is known for combining the personal attention of a smaller practice with the resources and experience needed to address complicated legal and financial issues.
Attorney Crystal Wright has also demonstrated leadership in the family law community, including speaking at the National Bar Association Annual Conference on financial issues in family law.
If you are considering divorce in Savannah, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah divorce lawyer.
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Georgia?
Georgia allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, one ground for divorce is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This generally means there are no prospects for reconciliation. A spouse does not have to prove misconduct to seek a divorce on this ground.
Georgia law also recognizes fault-based grounds. They include adultery, cruel treatment, habitual intoxication, certain forms of desertion, and other grounds listed by law.
The grounds for divorce can matter depending on the facts of the case and the issues in dispute. An attorney can review your circumstances and explain which approach may apply.
What Issues Must Be Resolved During a Divorce?
Ending a marriage involves more than obtaining a divorce decree. Spouses may need to resolve several financial and family issues before they can move forward separately.
Common divorce issues include:
- Division of marital property
- Division of marital debts
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support
- Alimony
- Ownership of a home or business
- Retirement accounts and other assets
Some couples can agree on these matters through negotiation. Others may need a judge to decide disputed issues. Identifying areas of disagreement early can help you better understand what your divorce may involve.
How Is Property Divided in a Georgia Divorce?
Georgia follows the rule of equitable division for marital property. This does not mean that every asset must be divided equally. Instead, marital property is divided fairly based on the circumstances of the case.
An important part of the process is determining which assets are marital property and which may be separate property. Assets acquired during the marriage may be marital even when only one spouse’s name appears on the account or title. Separate property may include certain assets owned before marriage or received individually as a gift or inheritance.
Property disputes can become more complex when a couple owns a business, real estate, investments, or other valuable assets.
How Is Child Custody Decided?
When parents cannot agree on custody, a Georgia court makes decisions based on the child’s best interests. Courts can consider a wide range of factors involving the child, the parents, the home environment, their relationships, and each parent’s ability to care for the child.
A parenting plan may address where the child lives, when each parent has parenting time, holidays, transportation, and how important decisions are made.
Parents may be able to reach an agreement without asking a judge to decide every issue. If they cannot agree, the court can establish a custody arrangement based on the evidence presented.
Can I Receive Alimony After a Divorce?
Alimony is financial support that one spouse may be ordered to provide to the other. It is not automatically awarded in every Georgia divorce.
Whether alimony is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the case. Relevant issues may include one spouse’s financial needs and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Courts may also consider factors such as the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources, and their contributions to the marriage.
The amount and duration of alimony can vary significantly from one divorce to another. Spouses may also resolve alimony through a negotiated agreement rather than leaving the decision to the court.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Georgia?
There is no single timeline for every Georgia divorce. When a divorce is based on an irretrievably broken marriage, the court generally cannot grant the divorce until at least 30 days after service on the other spouse. That does not mean every divorce will be finished in 30 days.
An uncontested divorce may move more quickly because the spouses have agreed on the major issues. A contested divorce can take longer when there are disputes involving custody, property, support, or other matters.
The complexity of the finances, the court’s schedule, and the willingness of both spouses to negotiate can also affect how long the process takes.
Contact Our Savannah Divorce Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Divorce can bring uncertainty about your children, finances, property, and future. Getting legal advice early can help you understand what to expect and avoid decisions that could affect you for years to come.
Crystal Wright Law, LLC helps clients address the important issues that arise when a marriage ends. We can review your circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you determine the next steps.
If you are considering divorce, contact us today for a free consultation with a Savannah divorce attorney.