Annulment of a Marriage
(Separate Website)
An annulment is when a court says your marriage is not legally valid. These web pages describe the situations in which an annulment is appropriate and explain the process for getting an annulment.
By: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Children
Child Deprivation, Domestic Violence and Visitation
Powerpoint on Child Deprivation, Domestic Violence and Visitation issues.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
Divorce and Insurance: How to retain your child's health care coverage
(Separate Website)
Mom and Dad don't live together anymore. Your child has two beds, two sets of teddy bears, two groups of friends, and two homes. And, as the years go by, these two homes may be further and further apart. It's important that your child has health coverage in both homes. But how will you achieve this? And who will pay for it? Just one trip to the emergency room may result in many large medical bills. Health care costs can add up quickly, so you'll want to make provisions for your child's continued health coverage as soon as possible.
By: HealthCareCoach.com
The Georgia Child Support Law Details the 2007 child support law for the state of Georgia
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
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Spanish / Español
Divorce
Basic Marriage and Divorce Law: Ending Marriages
This document covers basic family law relating to annulments, legal separation, and divorce, including: This document tells you the following: (1) What is an annulment? (2) What are the differences between a legal separation and a divorce? (3) What are the grounds for divorce in Georgia? (4) How do you file for a divorce? (5)
What are the personal rights and obligations arising from the divorce that must be settled for each spouse? It is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Defenses to A Divorce
This document lists the defenses to a complaint for divorce.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Divorce - State Bar of Georgia Consumer Pamphlet
(Separate Website)
The increase in divorce has its effect, directly or indirectly, on virtually every family in the country. The following information is designed to summarize briefly Georgia’s divorce laws.
If your spouse has ever threatened you, physically harmed you, or you have ever been afraid of your spouse, you should talk to an attorney or call 1-800-33-HAVEN BEFORE you file any divorce forms. You could be in danger and need a plan for your safety. Taking any action to separate or divorce may put you in danger!
By: State Bar of Georgia
Divorce (Answers to Common Questions)
This document contains answers to questions many people ask about divorce.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Divorce and Legal Separation
(Separate Website)
These web pages explain divorce and legal separation and the divorce process, including information about filing for divorce, following the rules and procedures, the process for the hearing, and the final divorce decree.
If your spouse has ever threatened you, physically harmed you, or you have ever been afraid of your spouse, you should talk to an attorney or call 1-800-33-HAVEN BEFORE you file any divorce forms. You could be in danger and need a plan for your safety. Taking any action to separate or divorce may put you in danger!
By: Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts
Getting a Divorce in Georgia This document answers common questions about divorce in Georgia.
By: Georgia Legal Services Program
How to Get a Divorce
This document walks you through the process for getting a divorce.
If your spouse has ever threatened you, physically harmed you, or you have ever been afraid of your spouse, you should talk to an attorney or call 1-800-33-HAVEN BEFORE you file any divorce forms. You could be in danger and need a plan for your safety. Taking any action to separate or divorce may put you in danger!
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Modification of a Court Order in a Family Law Case
This document explains how to modify a court order in a family law case.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Domestic Violence
Legal Definitions for Family Law and Domestic Violence Cases
(Separate Website)
This document contains definitions for legal words often used in domestic violence and family law hearings.
By: Women's Law Initiative
Questions to Ask Before You Hire An Attorney for a Domestic Violence or Family Law matter
(Separate Website)
Questions and answers about hiring an attorney, fees and costs associated with taking legal action, and more.
By: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Marriage
Access to Vital Records (Birth Certificates, Marriage and Divorce Records, etc.)
(Separate Website)
This web site contains information about vital records kept by the State of Georgia, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce records, and the putative father registry. The web site also contains answers to common questions about vital records (where to find them, fees for certified copies of the records, etc.).
By: Georgia Division of Public Health
Basic Marriage and Divorce Law: Getting Married
This document covers basic family law relating to marriage, including: What is marriage? What are the requirements for marriage? What kinds of marriages are there? What are prenuptial agreements? What are the legal rights and duties of marriage? How does marriage affect each spouse as an individual? What is the right not to be abused? The document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Marriage
This document provides very basic information about marriage, common law marriage, annulment and separation.
By: Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Can I get a legal separation?
(Separate Website)
In Georgia, you become legally separated from your spouse once you intend to be separated and stop having sexual relations with your spouse. You do not need to have a formal, court-ordered separation before you can obtain a divorce. You may not want a divorce, but believe you need a court order to handle certain parts of the separation. In this case, you can file a "separate maintenance action". A separate maintenance action can deal with things like: custody, alimony, and child support. Sometimes it can handle property and debts. If you file a separate maintenance action, your spouse can respond by filing for a divorce.
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Can I represent myself in a divorce?
(Separate Website)
Yes, you have the right to represent yourself. When you represent yourself, you are acting as your own lawyer. Most judges will expect you to behave like a lawyer and expect you to know all the court's rules. If your spouse has hired a lawyer, it is especially easy to get confused or frustrated by court rules. Judges and court staff are not allowed to give you advice. Even if your spouse does not have a lawyer, you may be unable to finalize your divorce without some legal advice. Some people end up going to court over and over again because they are unaware of certain rules. So, if possible, you should hire a lawyer.
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Does Georgia recognize common law marriage?
(Separate Website)
A common law marriage is a marriage that is created without a marriage license. As of January 1, 1997, new common law marriages cannot be created in Georgia. However, if you created a common law marriage in Georgia before January 1, 1997, you marriage is still valid. If (before January 1, 1997) you and your partner 1) had the ability to marry 2) intended to marry and 3) behaved as if you were married, then you could have a common law marriage. If you have a valid common law marriage, you must get a divorce in order to end the marriage.
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How long does it take to get a divorce?
(Separate Website)
The answer to this question depends on whether you and your spouse are cooperating or fighting about the divorce. If you and your spouse sign a settlement agreement and fully cooperate in the court process, your divorce may be final as soon as 31 days after you file. If your spouse refuses to sign a settlement agreement but otherwise does not fight (i.e., does not file an answer), it can take between 46 and 60 days to finalize the divorce, or longer if the court schedule is busy. If you and your spouse are fighting about property or children, your divorce can take many months or even years to finalize.
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I have not seen my spouse for years and I do not know where my spouse is. How do I get a divorce?
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