Dallas Contested Divorce Lawyer

Dallas Contested Divorce Attorney

When you get married, you probably don’t expect to one day have to file for divorce. Unfortunately, not every marriage lasts for life. It’s important to protect yourself in the event of a divorce, especially if it ends up being contested. Contested divorces can come from infidelity, from financial secrecy, and many other reasons. Regardless, you need to act fast and hire a Dallas contested divorce lawyer to assist you in building a strong case against your spouse.

The legal team at Young Law Firm, LLC, recognizes how complex contested divorce cases can become, especially if you are somewhat blindsided by your partner’s filing. Having an experienced Dallas divorce attorney to help you interpret Georgia’s contested divorce laws can make all the difference. Diana Whipkey Young has over 40 years of legal experience and is highly knowledgeable in Georgia family law. She can offer free initial consultations.

Benefits of a Contested Divorce in Georgia

If you choose to file for divorce in Dallas and it’s likely to be contested, your divorce will take place in the Paulding County Superior Court, which is located within the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit. To meet the residency requirement, you or your spouse must live in Paulding County for at least six months prior to filing. Georgia has a divorce rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents and a marriage rate of 46.3%. Contested divorces are not rare in Georgia, so it’s smart to be prepared.

While a contested divorce is generally not the preferred way to end a marriage, it does have several unique benefits. Sometimes, challenging your spouse and doing things your way can result in a better outcome for you. That’s why it’s so important to hire a contested divorce lawyer. Having someone in your corner who knows how the process works and can help you get a better settlement can only help in the long run. Here are some benefits of a contested divorce:

• Asset transparency. When you file for a contested divorce in Georgia, it triggers a formal discovery process. During this process, you and your spouse are both required to submit a complete and detailed list of your financial records. This process can uncover hidden assets, secret bank accounts, and inappropriate money transfers that your spouse may have been trying to hide from you. Hiding assets in a divorce is a crime in Georgia.
• Instant legal protection. As soon as a contested divorce is filed in Georgia, a standing order is issued to protect both parties. This standing order prevents either spouse from moving assets, canceling any insurance policies, or relocating your children during the divorce proceedings. If your spouse tries any of this, it can hurt their final settlement.
• Fair judgment. A contested divorce happens when both spouses are unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement on certain factors of their divorce, such as custody arrangements, asset division, and alimony. Most of the time, a judge decides these issues for you in a contested divorce. The judge will look at the evidence presented, consider the facts, hear both sides, and reach a decision that’s wholly impartial.
• Opportunity to present evidence. There’s no telling what led to the end of your marriage. However, if you have evidence of adultery, cruel treatment, or something else that can impact the judge’s ruling on alimony or property division, your lawyer can use the contested divorce as an opportunity to present that evidence. Depending on the evidence you have, you may have considerable leverage to tilt the settlement in your favor.
• Protection of rights. One of the most important protective elements of a contested divorce is the continued enforcement of your rights. Legal representation can act as a safeguard by making sure that a controlling spouse cannot force an unfair settlement through intimidation, guilt, or manipulation. It keeps things fair and legal.

FAQs

How Much Does a Contested Divorce Cost in Georgia?

There is no telling how much a contested divorce may cost in Georgia. Every divorce case is different, and the final cost is highly dependent on how the divorce is settled. Generally, the more complex a divorce is, the more it’s likely to cost you. Factors such as child custody, alimony, and high-value assets can make your divorce considerably expensive. Contested divorces are often more expensive than uncontested divorces.

How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in Georgia?

The average contested divorce in Georgia takes anywhere between six months and over a year to finalize. It depends entirely on the details of your case, the skills of your lawyer, and both parties’ willingness to compromise on certain issues. Contested divorces are full of disputes and attempts to drag things out. Your spouse may try to complicate things simply to make this harder for you. Ultimately, every divorce takes as long as it needs to take.

Who Loses More Financially in a Divorce in Georgia?

Generally, women tend to lose more financially in a Georgia divorce than men do. They tend to face a sharper decline in income, a higher risk of poverty, and a loss of their health insurance after a divorce if their significant other was the primary breadwinner in the household. This does not apply to every divorce. Georgia is an equitable distribution state for asset division, and the court often tries to aim for a fair division of assets.

Who Pays Attorney Fees in a Divorce in Georgia?

In a Georgia divorce, each spouse generally pays their own attorney fees. However, a judge always has the discretion to order one spouse to pay the other’s legal fees. This is sometimes done in cases where there is a significant financial disparity between the two parties. There’s never a guarantee that this will happen.

Be Sure to Hire a Contested Divorce Lawyer

The legal team at Young Law Firm, LLC, can help you determine the right course of action for your contested divorce. Contact us at our website or call us at 770-758-8976 to discuss your options. We accept all major credit cards for client payments, should you wish to move forward with representation.