Marietta Divorce Attorney Skillfully Manages Your Sensitive Situation

Cobb county divorce lawyer helps you move forward when your marriage ends

At The Law Offices of Daryl L. Kidd, P.C., we focus on helping people get through divorce and all of its related issues as effectively as possible. Our Marietta firm represents clients throughout the Atlanta metro area, providing a combination of compassionate counsel and aggressive, strategic advocacy to seek the best outcome possible for you and your family.

Contested vs. uncontested divorce in Georgia

We represent clients in both contested and uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse are willing and able to work out all relevant issues, such as division of assets, spousal support, child custody and child support. We will draft a settlement agreement documenting the arrangements you’ve made, and once both spouses review and approve it, we file it in the Superior Court of the county in which you live. A judge then issues a divorce decree, often in a little over a month.

In a contested divorce, when you and your spouse cannot reach consensus on all issues, those issues will need to be decided by a judge. Contested divorce takes longer (possibly years for couples with significant assets or complicated life situations) and is more expensive. But at any point while the contested divorce is pending, the parties can go through mediation or negotiate an agreement that resolves the matter before trial. If your marriage is ending, know you’re not alone: Georgia has among the highest divorce rates in the country, tied for tenth with an average of 3.6 divorces per 1,000 people. Whether your split is amicable or contentious, we will advocate for your rights throughout the process.

Skilled counselor advises on grounds for divorce

Your divorce petition must list one of 13 grounds, or reasons, for divorce available under state law. One of those grounds allows you to simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken, so neither party needs to allege fault. Fault grounds include:

• Adultery
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Cruel treatment
• Desertion or abandonment

When you consult with our Marietta family law attorney, we will advise you on the ground that best fits your situation and your goals moving forward.

The contested divorce process in Marietta, Georgia

While every divorce is different, a contested divorce process usually follows these steps:

• Divorce complaint is filed.
• Complaint is served on the other party, usually within days of filing.
• Within 30 days, the other party must answer the complaint.
• Discovery period begins and can last around six months.
• Mediation can take place anytime.
• Temporary hearings take place as needed to address issues of child custody, spousal support or related concerns.
• A judicial-hosted settlement conference happens near the end of the case.
• Trial, if needed, takes place, from around six months to several years after the start of the case.

When representing you, we’ll keep you fully informed about every development that occurs in your case and advocate for you at each step.

Proven advocates advise on military divorce

Military life can put more pressure on a relationship than the couple can bear. Our firm represents clients on both sides of the relationship, so you can reach out to us whether you are a service member or you’re married to one. We have extensive experience in military divorce matters and fully understand what makes them different from civilian divorce, with issues involving:

• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act — This act protects deployed service members from default judgments and other complications due to an inability to appear in court.
• 10/10 rule — This rule applies to the division of military retirement benefits during the property division phase of divorce.
• Family Care Plans — These plans outline child custody arrangements in a service member’s absence and are required by the Department of Defense for all couples where both are serving.

We consider it an honor to represent military members and their spouses, and we will work tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome for you and your family.

Contact a caring Marietta divorce lawyer today

The Law Offices of Daryl L. Kidd, P.C. helps people across the Atlanta metro area get through the challenges of divorce. If your marriage is at its end, talk to our attorney at our Marietta office to find out how we can help. Reach us at 888-532-8543 or contact us online. We offer a reduced rate for initial consultations and flexible office hours to fit your schedule.