Smyrna Uncontested Divorce Lawyer

Smyrna Uncontested Divorce Attorney

When couples get divorced, most strive to resolve their differences outside of court, often with the help of a divorce mediator. This type of legal separation is called an uncontested divorce, and it’s preferable to a contested divorce both in terms of the time it takes to complete the process and the associated costs. If you’re planning on getting divorced and expect the breakup to be amicable, you can hire a Smyrna uncontested divorce lawyer to help.

Our Smyrna divorce attorney at Young Law Firm, LLC, has decades of experience and an intimate familiarity with uncontested divorce laws. Diana Whipkey Young has handled countless uncontested divorce cases, bringing to bear both her professionalism and compassion for her clients. Call 707-795-9596 or contact us to schedule a free initial 30-minute consultation today.

Hire an Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Smyrna, GA

If you plan on getting divorced, you should hire an uncontested divorce lawyer as soon as possible after you or your spouse files the divorce petition. Working with our law firm means you’ll get access to a team of seasoned professionals with over four decades of experience. You shouldn’t have to go through a trying time like a divorce alone. When you work with us, you won’t have to.

Why Most Couples Prefer Uncontested Divorces

In 2023, Georgia had a divorce rate of 2.2 out of 1,000 people. Most couples prefer uncontested over contested divorces because they tend to take far less time and are usually much less expensive. During an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse come to an agreement about how to divide assets, assign child custody, and decide on child support or spousal support payments without the help of a trial lawyer.

Uncontested divorces often involve some form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Across the United States, 93% of divorcing parents attempt to undergo ADR during a divorce, often including mediation. Even if it takes some time to work out the details of a separation, it’s still more cost-effective to go through an uncontested divorce than to take the proceedings to trial.

What It Takes to Get an Uncontested Divorce

During an uncontested divorce, both spouses must agree on all the key provisions of the divorce agreement. They typically include:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Spousal support
• Property division
• Debt distribution

Uncontested divorce hearings sometimes occur following the filing of a contested divorce. If you and your spouse originally contested some of the terms of the divorce but were able to come to an amicable resolution without the need to go to trial, you can instead schedule an uncontested divorce hearing to save time and money.

The Uncontested Divorce Process

The process of getting an uncontested divorce is simpler and quicker than that associated with contested divorce hearings. It starts with meeting eligibility requirements, which include:

• Living in Georgia for at least six months preceding the divorce
• Having legally accepted grounds for the divorce
• Agreeing on all the issues in the case

You will need to prepare and file certain documents with the Clerk of the Superior Court in Cobb County at 70 Haynes Street in Marietta, GA. You can find the basic forms required to initiate the divorce online via the Georgia court system, but it’s a better idea to hire an uncontested divorce lawyer to help with filling out forms. They vary depending on certain factors, such as whether you have minor children, and each county’s process is a little different.

Once you’ve filed the paperwork with the court, you must serve the divorce forms to your spouse. You can arrange to have the papers delivered by a professional process server or the local sheriff’s department. Your spouse will have 30 days to respond.

You will need to wait 31 days after the acknowledgement of service is filed for the divorce to go through. In most cases, it takes around a month to finalize the divorce after the waiting period.

FAQs

Do You Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia?

You do not need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Georgia, but it is strongly recommended that you hire a Smyrna uncontested divorce attorney. Almost 75% of people with an attorney report satisfaction with the results of uncontested divorces, while only 59% of divorcing spouses without attorneys report extreme or moderate satisfaction.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia?

It takes a minimum of 31 days to get an uncontested divorce in Georgia. However, most uncontested divorces take considerably longer than the required 31-day waiting period. Negotiating settlements and awaiting a judge’s approval typically takes between four and six months, and complex agreements can take even longer for the courts to review.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get an Uncontested Divorce?

The fastest way to get an uncontested divorce in Georgia is to work with an uncontested divorce lawyer who can help you navigate the often-complex process and ensure that you’re meeting all relevant deadlines to avoid unnecessary delays. There’s nothing you can do to circumvent the required 31-day waiting period, but hiring a lawyer can keep further delays to a minimum.

Do I Need a Settlement Agreement for an Uncontested Divorce in Georgia?

You need a settlement agreement for an uncontested divorce in Georgia. This written contract sets forth your agreement with your spouse regarding everything from child custody to spousal support and the division of assets. It’s a legally binding contract required by the court to demonstrate that both parties have agreed on all necessary items required to finalize the divorce.

Call a Smyrna Uncontested Divorce Lawyer for Help

If you’re planning on getting divorced, don’t wait to hire a uncontested divorce lawyer in Smyrna. Working with a law firm from the very first steps ensures that your rights are protected and helps to expedite a time-consuming process. You can get the help you need from Young Law Firm, LLC. We offer free 30-minute initial consultations and accept all major credit cards, so you have nothing to lose. Call 707-795-9596 or contact us online today to get started.