What Do I Need to Know About Filing Divorce in Georgia with Help Yourself Divorce?
Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, for those who agree on the terms of the divorce and are both willing to sign the papers. The following is a list of requirements and information about what to expect from the process. Please note that this will only apply if you use the services of Help Yourself Divorce. Those seeking to use another route for their divorce should perform their own research about what to expect from the process.
Grounds for Divorce in Georgia.
Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, so your divorce papers will be prepared based on the grounds that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Georgia Residency Requirements.
To file for divorce in Georgia, at least one spouse must be a resident of the state of Georgia for at least 6 months before filing for divorce, or stationed in the military within the state of Georgia for at least 1 year before filing for divorce.
If you and your spouse have minor children, the court must have jurisdiction over them. Generally this means your children must have lived in Georgia for at least six months and currently live in Georgia, or have lived in Georgia within six months of filing.
Please note that you may be able to qualify for residency based on other requirements. If you are not sure whether you fall into one of the above categories, please seek advice from an attorney.
Filing Divorce in Georgia.
After filing the divorce papers with the court, you “serve” your spouse by mail or hand-delivery. Formal service by process server or sheriff is not required in uncontested cases. Your spouse will sign a document stating that he or she has received the papers, and that document will be filed with the court.
Georgia Divorce Filing Fees.
When you file the papers, you will have to pay a separate filing fee to the Courts. Please check with your local court clerk to find out how much the current filing fee is.
Filing for Divorce in Georgia.
Generally you will file for divorce in the county where the Petitioner lives.
Waiting Period.
There is a 30 day waiting period after you serve your spouse with a copy of the divorce papers (see above), before your divorce can be finalized.
Georgia Final Uncontested Divorce Hearing.
Uncontested divorces are finalized during a hearing, where many uncontested divorces are granted during the same hearing. Both spouses are tyically required to attend.
If you have any questions about whether our service is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
IMPORTANT: Help Yourself Divorce is a paralegal service, not a law firm. Please don’t rely on this information for legal advice. Seek help from an attorney if you need legal advice.