Divorce is more than the end of your relationship; it is also the end of your household in Georgia. While property division may not be the first thing you think of when you receive a summons from your spouse requesting a divorce, reading through his or her wishes that have been presented to the court may bring the thought to the forefront quickly. We at The Siemon Law Firm have counseled many people whose spouses filed for divorce first.
Answering a complaint for divorce
Adding virtual visitation to your parenting plan
Coming to an agreement on a parenting plan may be difficult for two parents in Georgia who both want to spend as much time with their child as possible. Developing a fair schedule may seem even more challenging if one parent has moved to another state, but communication options may help bridge the distance. The State of Georgia points out that the child custody agreement should include acceptable ways for a parent to interact with the child when they are not together.
Don't make these mistakes during your high-asset divorce
When you and your spouse make the decision to end your marriage in Georgia, the actions you take next may affect your life for years to come, or even forever. The right choices may not be immediately obvious, though. We at The Siemon Law Firm often provide advice to those who want to avoid potentially devastating missteps during the divorce process.
Link between divorce and poverty threatens older women
In spite of the factors that the court system takes into consideration during equitable property division in a Georgia divorce, it appears that many women may still face greater hardship, especially as they reach retirement age. According to WomensENews.org, researchers have discovered that single women ages 65 and older were more likely to be living in poverty if they were divorced than if they were never married, or were widowed. Even in the first year after divorce, women often suffer a decline of up to 25 percent in their standard of living.
Can I change my child’s last name?
After your divorce, you may have been eager to return to your maiden name, in spite of the necessary paperwork the change required. Having a different last name from your child may be a point of irritation, or even an inconvenience. According to the Georgia General Assembly, you may have the right and the ability to share your own name with your child after your divorce. But, if he or she is under the age of 18 and the other parent is still living, there are steps that must be taken in addition to those required for an adult.
Should you agree to give up the house?
Dividing real estate during a divorce in Georgia may seem cut and dried if your spouse wants to keep the home and you do not. However, coming to this agreement may not be as important as determining whether this decision is worth the potential financial and legal tangle. According to the New York Times, assessing the value of the home and fairly dividing the amount of equity in it are only two of many issues to consider if your spouse decides to keep this marital property.
Terms of divorce settlement should be honored
Even when two people make substantial incomes on their own, they may not be eager to end their marriage without a settlement that appears to treat them both fairly. Finally reaching an agreement may seem to be the end of the story, but how the parties honor their responsibilities as outlined in the final decree may make a difference in whether they are acceptable.
