Humans have a tendency to assume that relationships are stable and more predictable after people have spent years together. The idea that those who have remained married for decades might file for divorce seems to fly in the face of what people believe about love and commitment. However, there is little question that divorce rates among older adults have changed in recent years. Since 1990, the divorce rates among those aged 55 or older have doubled, while the divorce rates among those aged 65 or older have roughly tripled. This change occurred during a time when overall divorce rates in ..read more

Paternity and legitimation are crucial aspects of family law, especially when parents are not married at the time of their child’s birth. Without legitimation, the father may no legal rights whatsoever, creating a situation where the mother may seek child support even if a court has not yet granted any legal rights to the father. It’s a stark reality: if parents aren’t married when a child is born, the father finds himself in a legal vacuum. Notwithstanding any child support arrangements, the father remains without rights to the child until a legitimation action is initiated. Understanding leg ..read more

Divorcing couples in Georgia have a lot of details that they need to address before they can move forward apart. They have to split time with their children (if they have them) and also arrange to divide their resources. The biggest assets that couples share often become the focal point of disputes during divorce negotiations in Georgia. The state has an equitable distribution law that requires a fair division of property, but people often disagree about what “fair” looks like. Many people set specific goals that include retaining certain assets. For many married couples, the home where they l ..read more

When a couple decides to end their marriage, assets accumulated during the marriage must (generally) be fairly divided between the spouses unless spouses agree to an unequal division of their property, for whatever reason. Marital assets often include retirement funds that have been saved for the couple’s future. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal document used in divorce agreements. This document highlights who is entitled to receive a portion of an account owner’s retirement plan assets. The significance of QDROs in property division Retirement accounts are usually among ..read more

Co-parenting can be a challenge, but summer can offer a unique opportunity to make memories with your children and create a positive co-parenting environment. It’s up to you and your co-parent to figure out what works for everyone. As you plan for summer, consult the parenting plan to determine what special terms there are in place – perhaps within the text of a parenting plan – for this time of year. Some plans allow planned vacations to trump the normal schedule. Be sure you discuss any scheduled activity with your co-parent. This can include vacations, day trips or just regular visits. The ..read more

Divorce is often a complicated process, for many reasons. You are not only going through a mentally and emotionally challenging time, but you must also make many decisions on complex issues. Property division is one of the most major aspects of a divorce. Your property includes all of your marital property and debts. Defining marital property and debts Marital property is property you and your spouse acquired during your marriage, with some exceptions, such as inheritances or gifts, while separate property is property you owned before your marriage. Separate property can become marital propert ..read more

Divorce gets messy not just because of people’s emotions but also because of how intertwined their lives become during marriage. People share checking accounts and houses. They combine their retirement savings and take out joint credit cards. Then, when they divorce, they have to sort through all of their belongings and also their financial applications to start living financially separate lives. Many couples in Georgia will have a difficult time addressing their marital property in the early stages of a divorce. Debts can also prove to be a sticking point for many couples. Will a spouse who d ..read more

The decision to adopt a child may be the biggest decision that you make in your life. After all, bringing a child into your family creates a number of emotional and financial obligations to which you must adhere, and it can make a world of difference to the child whom you’re adopting. But before you agree to move forward with the adoption process, you have to truly understand what it entails and what it means for your family in the long term. Otherwise, you could be getting into something that you will regret later or are inadequately prepared to handle. How do you know if you’re ready for ado ..read more

January is commonly referred to as the Divorce Month. It has a reputation as the time of year when divorce cases spike in frequency and more couples are looking to split up. But what is it about January that creates this rise in divorce filings? Is there anything inherent about this month, in particular, that pushes people toward the end of their marriages? Below, let’s take a look at a few of the factors that influence January‘s reputation. Tax concerns One thing to remember is that married couples file joint tax returns. With tax season coming up, they’re likely considering all of these join ..read more

Out of the countless reasons couples divorce, lack of communication is near or at the top of the most common issues that eventually end marriages. While nothing can change a path that saw a union dissolve, trying to build a more robust dialogue during a life-changing event can help with marital dissolution. When nothing can be done to stop an inevitable divorce, opening lines of communication can make life easier for husbands, wives, and, more importantly, children. Brief talks that are detailed, friendly, and firm can set the tone and avoid arguments and conflicts in emotionally-charged times ..read more