Rules to follow when facing divorce:
1. Talk to a lawyer first: It is very important that you talk to a divorce attorney before doing anything else. Your divorce attorney will help you to assess your Family Law case and should thoroughly educate you on your rights, the relevant areas of Georgia Divorce Law, and the pre-emptive measures and actions you should take.
2. Be prepared by gathering documents and securing your accounts: Although the gathering of documents and securing of financial accounts for your divorce attorney to review can be done after your attorney has file divorce attorney has filed your suit, these activities are always easier to accomplish and less stressful on you if they are done to the extent possible before your spouse is made aware of the filing of your suit.
3. Talk to your spouse about your divorce with guidance from your divorce attorney: Once you have an idea of what is going to happen in your divorce, you are better able to talk with our spouse to identify what areas you might have agreement on and which areas will be contested with the help of your lawyer. You should also be able to discuss what route is best for you, whether it is contested or uncontested.
4. Hire a divorce attorney you are comfortable with: It is important to be both professionally and financially comfortable with your divorce attorney. It is extremely important that you hire an attorney with whom you are comfortable. Ask your attorney about the retainer and how much he/she charges per hour, as well as whether they are available to you after hours.
5. Explore Mediation with your divorce attorney: Mediation is a process used to reach an agreement as to the outstanding issues in your divorce, with the help of divorce attorneys and a mediator, but without the involvement of a Judge, whose decision neither party may like. Discuss the possibility of mediating your case with your divorce attorney.
6. Involve a Certified Public Accountant: Tax consequences can have a substantial effect on the property awarded to you, or the property you may be seeking. Ask your attorney to refer a CPA if you are not acquainted with one in your area.
7. Help your children cope with divorce and do not use them against the other parent: If children are involved in your divorce, take the Seminar for Divorcing Parents offered by the court. This seminar is required in many of the metro Atlanta courts prior to the granting of a Georgia divorce in which children are involved. The course helps parents understand how comments and actions on their part can have an adverse effect on their children.
8. Be prepared for difficult financial times: Even with the help of your divorce attorney, splitting one household into two almost always involves at least temporary financial difficulties and sacrifices for one or both sides. Be prepared and have back up funds and/or other sources available or identified if possible. Identify expenditures that can be trimmed and/or eliminated during the divorce.
