Divorce
No Two Divorces Are The Same.
Divorces have many variables. They can be contested or uncontested. They can involve children, high or complex assets, beloved pets, prenuptial agreements, business interests, and more. With knowledge and understanding of the dynamic elements that may comprise a divorce, Reese-Beisbier & Associates can expertly guide our clients through the divorce process no matter what variables are involved in their unique situation.
In a divorce, the parties must resolve many disputes, including, but not limited to:
- Child custody/parenting time
- Child support
- Division of property, including closely-held businesses
- Division of debt
- Alimony
- Attorney fees
Each area of the dispute requires particularized knowledge and familiarity with the governing law and necessary resources. The attorneys at Reese-Beisbier & Associates specialize in family law and can provide clients with the highest standard of care as a result.
Issues that involve children are often the most difficult and emotionally challenging aspect of a divorce. Every parent wants what is best for the child(ren), and few expected divorce would become their greatest parenting challenge.
The divorce lawyers of Reese-Beisbier & Associates can provide information about potential custody/visitation arrangements, resources for support through the divorce process, explanations about the rights of parents and children during the divorce process, and more.
Financial issues related to divorce can be challenging as well. Under Georgia law, both parties to a divorce deserve a fair and equitable division of all marital assets and debt. However, equitable does not always mean equal, so the Court can look to each case’s specific facts to determine whether fairness dictates that one party should receive more than the other.
Our experienced legal team uses the full power of the law to assist our clients in obtaining necessary financial information about the other party and, sometimes, about themselves. When necessary, we use available legal processes to obtain that information from third parties like related businesses, CPAs, etc. When our clients need to have assets valued or income analyzed, Reese-Beisbier & Associates partners with only the most reputable business valuators, forensic accountants, and other professionals for assistance.
Once all assets, debts, and income are confirmed through the appropriate channels, our team can expertly advise our client about the equitable division of property and assets, and if alimony is appropriate. With this knowledge, clients can enter mediation or settlement discussions or prepare for trial fully informed and ready to make decisions or present the necessary information for the Court to do so.
No matter how a divorce case resolves, our legal team always ensures that our clients feel heard and understood throughout the process so that nothing is left on the table.
As a husband and father facing a divorce and custody battle, I needed very serious help. With a lot of hard work, I was awarded full physical custody and child support. Everyone said it couldn’t be done–everyone but me and Tera.
FAQs
Divorce actions begin when your attorney files a Complaint for Divorce in the proper Georgia county as provided by law. Once the divorce action is filed, it needs to be served on the other party (your spouse). Service can happen in different ways: (1) by the Sheriff’s office, (2) by a special process server (a private person appointed by the Court), or (3) by the other party acknowledging service by signing a document saying they waive the other two kinds of service and accept the paperwork.
First, schedule an initial consultation with your divorce lawyers at Reese-Beisbier & Associates. It’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to prepare by consulting with your attorney weeks before filing for divorce. At the initial consultation, your attorneys will walk through everything we need from you and the ways in which you will need to prepare. It is not necessary for you to bring anything to your initial consultation, but there are a few things you need to do right away when preparing to file for divorce or when responding to service of divorce papers: (1) Change your internet passwords. Ensure your privacy by changing passwords to all of your online accounts. Your spouse should no longer have access to your social media, email, credit card, cell phone, banking, or other accounts. (2) Make a list of your children’s special needs and their costs. if your children have unique needs or expenses for their care, be ready to discuss those with your divorce attorneys by making a list ahead of time. (3) Gather your financial information. Your attorneys will want to review tax returns from the previous five years, a list of all financial accounts, a list of investments and retirement accounts, and a list of all debts. (4) Make a list of inheritances awarded during the marriage. If you or your spouse inherited money or property during the marriage, make a list of what was inherited and where it is located. (5) Make a list of property owned prior to marriage. If you or your spouse brought money or property with you into the marriage, make a list of what was owned and where it is located. (6) Evidence of your grounds for divorce. If your spouse’s “bad conduct” led to the separation. and you have texts, emails, videos, pictures, or any other evidence of their “bad conduct,” have those examples ready to share with your attorneys and be sure to protect that evidence from being found and destroyed by your spouse.
The simple answer is that alimony is based on the recipient’s need and the payor’s ability to pay. However, the fact-finder considers several factors when determining how much, how long, and how often alimony should be paid. Typically, alimony is awarded periodically (usually monthly), in a lump sum, or in-kind payments. Never compare your case to others. Alimony is determined on a case-by-case basis and no two awards look alike. Length of marriage, separate assets available to either party and incomes of the parties are all crucial and relevant factors for alimony determinations. A divorce attorney at Reese-Beisbier & Associates can answer your questions about the alimony determination that is likely for your case.
An experienced divorce lawyer from Reese-Beisbier & Associates will be more than happy to talk with you about your case. Schedule an appointment right here from our website by clicking on “schedule an appointment.” Or you can call our office at 678-947-2988.
In Georgia, you can file to modify your alimony order upward or downward as long as you did not waive the right to do so in the initial action establishing alimony. To be entitled to a modification of alimony, you must prove that there has been a substantial change in income and financial circumstances of either party since the entry of the last order. A person may only file a modification action two years or more after a previous modification order was entered. Only periodic alimony (monthly alimony) can be modified, and it can be modified in amount only, not in number of payments. Lump sum or in-kind alimony cannot be modified.
You cannot modify an award of property and debts entered in a divorce decree. Once the Court or jury enters the order/verdict, it is permanent and cannot be modified later. However, you may have rights to appeal an order of property division if error was committed by the Court. Also, during the same term of Court, you can seek to have the Court reconsider the award. Both these remedies (appeals and reconsideration) are extraordinary and unusual remedies that do not apply in most cases.