About Our Georgia Contested Divorce Attorneys

Coleman Legal Group, LLC | Phone: 770-609-1247

When a couple cannot agree on all of the terms for a divorce, the only way to obtain a divorce is to file a contested divorce case. The parties may disagree on the division of assets / property, the division of debts, spousal support / alimony, child support, child custody, or how to divide the attorney’s fees. As a result, the filing of an uncontested divorce case is not an option.

When a Contested Divorce is Your Only Option

If you decide that the filing of a contested divorce is needed in your situation, you will need to assert / cite a reason for the grounds for the divorce other than irreconcilable differences. You can plead on your divorce complaint irreconcilable differences as one of the reasons for the divorce, but it cannot be the only reason. You will also need to include one or more of the following recognized reasons for a Georgia contested divorce:

• Intermarriage by persons within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or affinity
• Mental incapacity at the time of the marriage
• Impotency at the time of marriage
• Force, menace, duress, or fraud in obtaining the marriage
• Pregnancy of the wife by a man other than the husband, at the time of the marriage, unknown to the husband
• Adultery in either of the parties after marriage
• Willful and continued desertion by either of the parties for the term of one year
• The conviction of either party for an offense involving moral turpitude, under which he is sentenced to imprisonment in a penal institution for a term of two (2) years or longer
• Habitual intoxication
• Cruel treatment, which shall consist of the willful infliction of pain, bodily or mental, upon the complaining party, such as reasonably justifies apprehension of danger to life, limb, or health
• Incurable mental illness
• Habitual drug addiction, which shall consist of addiction to any controlled substance as defined in Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16
• The marriage is irretrievably broken

See O.C.G.A. 19-5-2, O.C.G.A. 19-5-3 and O.C.G.A. 19-5-4 for additional information.

What if I Am Served With a Contested Divorce?

If you are served with a contested divorce, you have thirty (30) days to respond to the divorce, which is important to do if you want to protect your rights. This time to respond can be extended up to an additional fifteen (15) days if the proper procedures are followed with the court. But it is imperative to talk with an attorney very soon after being served if you want to fully protect your legal rights.

Will My Contested Divorce Case Have to Go to Trial?

Unless a contested divorce is ultimately settled by the parties, it will go to trial in front of a judge – and possibly also a jury. Most people choose to settle their divorce case before going to trial so that they will have the maximum input into the final terms of the divorce. As a part of our legal services at Coleman Legal Group, LLC – we help parties settle contested divorce cases, negotiating the best possible terms for you. And we are ready to go to trial when and if necessary.

Divorce and Family Law – Georgia Areas We Serve

Our Georgia divorce lawyers and family law attorneys handle cases in the following cities and communities: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, Johns Creek, Sharon Springs, Milton, Cumming, Suwanee, Marietta, Woodstock, Sandy Springs, Kennesaw, Gainesville, Midtown Atlanta, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Kennesaw, Duluth, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Vinings, Smyrna, Buford, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Decatur, Grant Park, East Atlanta and the Virginia Highlands.

Our Georgia divorce lawyers and family law attorneys frequently handle cases for clients residing in the following counties: Fulton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Cobb, DeKalb, Henry, Cherokee, Douglas, Carroll, Coweta, Paulding, Bartow, Hall, Barrow, Walton, Newton, Rockdale, Henry, Spalding, Fayette and Clayton.

Coleman Legal Group, LLC’s Georgia attorneys practice in the areas of Divorce, Family Law, Bankruptcy, Estates, Wills, Trusts, Sports and Entertainment Law, Immigration and Business Law. We have offices conveniently located at:

Copyright © 2018 | Coleman Legal Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved. Coleman Legal Group, LLC • 5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 52 • Alpharetta, GA 30022 • 770-609-1247 DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.