When you’re getting divorced in Georgia, your case will be referred to mediation first so you can try to hammer out the details with the help of an impartial third party.
Many couples – even those who start out with deep disagreements – are able to negotiate the terms of their divorce in a way that everyone can agree on.
However, a small percentage of couples can’t come to an agreement. When this happens, you go to court.
How it Works
During a trial, your lawyer will prepare documents, witnesses, and evidence and present a convincing case to a judge as to why you should receive what you’re asking for in the divorce settlement.
Your spouse’s lawyer will do the same.
During this process, both you and your spouse may be called to testify and answer questions from lawyers on both sides. Other people may be called as witnesses as well.
After the arguments are made, the judge decides on the terms of your divorce. The judge will resolve all issues remaining between you and your spouse, whether those involve division of marital property, custody of children, or financial matters like child support, alimony, or debts.
In many cases, the judge is the only decision-maker in divorce trials. However, in some cases, a jury may be involved.
In general, if you request a jury trial in Georgia, you can have one.
There are exceptions to that rule, however. For instance, a jury isn’t allowed to decide matters such as child custody, visitation, and who will cover court costs.
If your divorce involves some of these issues, one way it can play out is that the judge will hear arguments on those issues alone and a jury will come in to help decide your case on other topics, such as child support, alimony, or division of assets.
The Courtroom is Our Natural Environment
When your future rests on the terms of your divorce, it’s crucial to work with a lawyer who’s both experienced and fearless in the courtroom.
An experienced divorce lawyer knows how to conduct research, prepare witnesses, build a persuasive case, and present it in a way that will appeal to the judge.
And while court can be unpredictable, an experienced lawyer will be fully prepared for the challenges that can arise.
As knowledgeable divorce lawyers with extensive courtroom experience, we’ve seen everything and we’re impossible to intimidate. That makes us exceptional at representing our clients in challenging divorce cases.
A Canton Divorce
Most clients are able to settle their cases in mediation or before trial.
However, there are instances when a trial is the best thing for all involved. This is one of those examples.
A client from Canton came to us after her case had dragged on for several years in mediation. She and her then-husband were unable to come to an agreement, and her previous lawyer was not able to get her a court date for a final hearing.
That’s something many people don’t realize about taking a divorce to trial: sometimes it can take a few months to get a court date. However, it shouldn’t take years.
Because of our extensive experience representing clients in Canton, we were able to avoid bureaucratic delays and get her a date for a final hearing right away.
We presented a concise, persuasive case to the judge, sorting out the complex custody and child support issues, division of assets, and debt obligations that had been holding up this case for a long time.
The judge agreed to everything the client asked for, and she was able to move on with her life.
Work With an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Canton
If your divorce case is going to court, you deserve a lawyer on your side who is more than ready to fight for you. Call us at (770) 479-1500 for a free consultation. Weekends and evening appointments are now available.
Amanda Speights is a co-founder and lead family law attorney at Speights Law, PC in Cherokee County. She is an experienced family law lawyer who handles an assortment of domestic cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, appeals and other types of litigation in the state of Georgia. To contact Amanda, please visit our contact page.