Can I Afford to Get Divorced in Georgia?
Many people want to get divorced for many different reasons but they feel trapped in their relationship because they think they can't afford the divorce process.
In this article we'll give you information on how you can afford to get divorced in Georgia.
We know that divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming process but it doens't have have to be financially overwhelming.
It doesn't have to cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars meaning you and your former spouse can start your new lives on firm financial footing.
Understanding the Cost of Divorce
The Traditional Route: High Costs and Long Timelines
Hiring separate divorce attorneys can be expensive. In Georgia, the average cost of a contested divorce is $14,700 without children and $22,000 with children, according to USA Today. Much of that comes from:
- Attorney retainers (typically $3,000 to $5,000 just to start)
- Hourly billing for court preparation, writing emails, making phone calls, filing motions, etc.
- Court appearances and extended litigation
- Discovery costs (collecting financial documents, hiring experts, etc.)
Lawyers are ethically obligated to "zealously advocate" for their clients' best interests. While this may sound like a good thing, if two lawyers on opposing sides are both zealously fighting for their clients, the result can be a long, expensive and protracted battle.
This process might be necessary for high-conflict or complex divorces, but it isn't the only option. If you and your spouse can communicate and compromise on most issues you can both save a lot of money.
The Uncontested Divorce: Affordable and Efficient
There can be a better way. If both parties agree on major issues like property and debt division, custody, spousal support and child support, you can pursue an uncontested divorce, which is faster, simpler, and significantly less expensive.
Your DIY Divorce Toolkit: What You Need
Once you and your spouse agree (or mostly agree) on terms, you can move forward with a DIY divorce using resources from Georgia Divorce Online.
What You'll Get:
- Divorce Forms - All forms required by Georgia courts for filing an uncontested divorce ($59)
- Marital Separation Agreement - A customizable contract that outlines your agreements on support, property, custody, and more ($39)
- Combo Package - Get both for $89 (best value)
- Instructions - Clear, step-by-step guidance for completing your paperwork and filing with the court (free)
- Parenting Agreement - Legally binding document that specifies how parents will share custody, make decisions about their child (free)
- Wills for both parties - It's a good idea to make a new will after divorce (free)
Thousands of people have used our affordable software to complete their divorce documents without the high cost of attorneys.
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Real Stories from our customers: Divorce Success on a Budget
"Thank you for the help with my divorce. It was final on June 1st. The Judge was impressed with the paperwork."
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Georgia is a Friendly State for DIY Divorce
Georgia law allows couples to file for divorce without attorneys if they meet basic requirements. All you need is the right paperwork and clear agreement about issues such as property and debt division, child custody and visitation, child support and spousal support.
A written agreement detailing the terms of your divorce is called a Marital Separation Agreement (MSA).
The software on our website will ask you all the relevant questions then generate an MSA tailored to your circumstances. Click here to start.
What if We Don't Agree About Everything? Do We Have to Use Lawyers in Our Divorce?
Not necessarily. If you can't reach full agreement on your own, mediation can be a powerful (and affordable) tool.
Mediators are trained professionals who help you resolve disputes together. They don't make decisions for you like a judge does. Instead, they help you come to your own fair solution.
Benefits of mediation:
- Costs a fraction of hiring two attorneys (usually ranges between $100-$350 per hour and can be split between both parties).
- Sessions are confidential and often quicker than court
- Helps preserve a working relationship (especially important if children are involved)
In Georgia, you can find court-approved mediators or hire a private mediator. Rates typically range from $100 to $350 per hour, and the cost is often split between both parties.
Living on Your Own after Divorce
Many people thinking about divorce are worried about the prospect of living on their own for the first time in a long time, or maybe even the first time in their lives.
Saving money on the divorce process is one way to make this prospect less daunting. We are here to help with that.
Living on your own may require you to make adjustments in your lifestyle and financial priorities. Many people consider these adjustments preferable to staying in a bad relationship. Some even consider the prospect of a fresh start to be exciting.
There are many resources on the Internet to help you learn how to manage living on your own. We've listed a few below:
- The Divorce Subreddit on Reddit has discussions on a broad range of divorce related topics, including how to make the process more affordable.
- Fulton Bank put together a highly informative article titled "How I can Afford to Live on My Own" with many good tips regarding budgeting and lifestyle changes.
- Blogger Michal Lehman wrote an article called "Tips, Tricks & Advice for Living Alone" where she shares her first hand experience with living alone for the first time.
Conclusion
Divorce doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. If you and your spouse are able to agree to the terms of your separation, you can navigate the divorce process on your own and save thousands of dollars on legal fees.
The Georgia Divorce Documents and Marital Separation Agreement you create on our site can be your first step in the process.
Georgia Divorce Forms
Self-Prepared
| Georgia Divorce | $59.00 |
| GA MSA | $39.00 |
| GA Divorce & MSA Combo (best value) | $89.00 |
Legal Technician-Prepared
| Georgia Divorce | $149.00 |
| GA MSA | $79.00 |
| GA Divorce & MSA Combo (best value) | $199.00 |
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