Georgia Divorce Lawyers

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Coleman Legal Group, LLC

There are countless misconceptions about divorce and divorce law. Making things harder to understand is the fact that Georgia divorce laws do not exactly line up with laws from other states. And further complicating matters, each county Superior Court and each Judge can have their own rules in addition to the established state law rules.

Below we have listed the basic What You Need To Know about your Georgia divorce case:

• If you have children you will usually be required to complete a parenting class. If your spouse refuses to take a required parenting class, this can delay your divorce case. Depending on the county your case is filed, this can class might can be completed on the internet.  However, frequently you will have to take the class in-person, during the week, after hours or on the weekend at a nearby court approved location.  Many county Superior Courts and Judges will not enforce your parental rights (if needed) unless you have taken a parenting class in person.
• Most county Superior Courts, but not all, have a Standing Order that goes into effect as soon as a divorce case is filed. If you do not abide by the Standing Order, you can be found in contempt of the Court. More Information >>>
• If you are served with a divorce you have only thirty (30) days to respond by filing an answer with the Court. Under certain conditions this period of time can be extended, usually by paying additional court fees and a motion.  However, you should not delay speaking with an attorney and responding as soon as possible when served with a Complaint for Divorce.
• You do not need an attorney to file for divorce.  However, it can be very difficult for an untrained person to do so without legal assistance, especially if the divorce involves minor children and/or assets.
• It can be hard to compare two divorce cases side by side, because even if the facts are very similar.  For example, having two different Judges can greatly affect the final outcome.
• Alimony is very unpredictable if left to the Court’s discretion to decide the amount (if any) to be paid and for the number of years (if any).  This is because it is largely under a Judge’s discretion and there is no mathematical formula (unlike child support) to help guide us in determining minimum and maximum values.
• While child support does have a Child Support Worksheet which can be used to help determine child support amounts, there are several variables that can be used to deviate the amount to be paid.  Obviously, an attorney trying to maximize child support will use all the variables possible to maximize the final child support number, while another attorney may use all available variables to minimize child support.  All of this can happen on the same case and may result in a Judge making the final decision.
• Taking legal advice from your spouse’s attorney (who cannot ethically act as your attorney) is almost always a bad idea.
• Taking legal advice from your friends, family and attorneys not trained in divorce and family law is almost always a bad idea.
• The worst legal advice regarding divorce you will likely ever get is from your spouse telling you “what her or his attorney said.”  Your spouse and your spouse’s attorney usually have little or no incentive to give you information that would not be to your spouse’s benefit.
• Being too agreeable and compliant in a divorce case may be almost as bad as being too obstinate and disagreeable.
• Just because you follow all the court rules to letter does not mean you will always get the result that may seem most fair.  Likewise, even if the other party fails to follow well established court rules does not mean they will necessarily be given a bad result or ruling.  However, it is always advised to be civil, follow the court’s rules, strive to adhere to the court’s orders and expectation, because this is what is expected and will almost always work in your favor.
• If your case starts with one Judge and is transferred to another Judge in the middle of the case, expect to have to significantly adjust your strategy.  For example if the first Judge awarded your client a significant amount of child support and alimony on a temporary base, a different Judge may later reduce the child support and alimony significantly at a final hearing.
• One of the documents you will need to complete as a part of a divorce case is the Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit.  It is important to be as complete and accurate as possible when completing the Domestic Relations Affidavit, as the document is completed under oath (hence the term “affidavit”).
• There is not always a direct correlation between what you may pay for a divorce and the level of quality and value you receive.  Therefore, it is very important to choose a firm that has experience in your kind of case and cares about you as an individual. A law firm with a good reputation will work hard to maintain it.

Our main office is located in Alpharetta Georgia at: 11539 Park Woods Circle, Suite 304, Alpharetta, GA 30005.  We also have offices conveniently located at:

Alpharetta Georgia Park Woods Commons 11539 Park Woods Circle Suite 304 Alpharetta, GA 30005 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Atlanta Georgia Colony Square 1201 Peachtree Street, 400 Colony Square, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30361 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Dunwoody, Sandy Springs GA 400, Atlanta Georgia 1200 Abernathy Rd Building 600 Atlanta, GA 30328 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Cumming Georgia The Avenue Forsyth 410 Peachtree Parkway Building 400, Suite 4245 Cumming, GA 30041 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Johns Creek, Duluth GA 11555 Medlock Bridge Road Suite 100 Johns Creek, GA 30097 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Duluth Georgia Sugarloaf 2180 Satellite Boulevard Suite 400 Duluth, GA 30097 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Kennesaw Georgia TownPark Center 125 TownPark Drive Suite 300 Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Lawrenceville Huntcrest 1755 North Brown Road Suite 200 Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Phone: 770-609-1247 | Map

Georgia Areas We Serve

Coleman Legal Group, LLC’s divorce and family law attorneys handle cases in the following cities and communities: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Sharon Springs, Marietta, Suwanee, Sandy Springs, Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Douglasville, Kennesaw, Gainesville, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Midtown, Inman Park, Duluth, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Vinings, Smyrna, Covington, Conyers, Newborn, Mansfield, Oxford, Social Circle, Porterdale, Buford, Sugar Hill, Mountain Park, Dacula, Ball Ground and Starrsville.

Our Georgia divorce and family law attorneys frequently handle cases for clients residing in the following counties: Fulton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Cobb, DeKalb, Henry, Cherokee, Douglas, Carroll, Coweta, Paulding, Bartow, Hall, Barrow, Walton, Newton, Rockdale, Henry, Spalding, Fayette, Newton, Walton, Rockdale and Clayton.

Copyright © 2023 | Coleman Legal Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved. Coleman Legal Group, LLC • 11539 Park Woods Circle, Suite 304 • Alpharetta, Georgia 30005 • 770-609-1247 DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.