Can We Type Out Our Own Marital Settlement Agreement in Georgia?
With legal fees prohibitively high for many spouses in Georgia, some may want to draft their own marital settlement agreements without much help from lawyers. Is this really possible? Can it help you save money as you navigate an amicable, uncontested divorce in Atlanta? These are common questions among spouses today.
You and Your Spouse Can Get Started on Your Divorce Agreement Alone
There is nothing wrong with getting together with your spouse and discussing how you’d like to handle your divorce. You can begin these discussions before you contact a lawyer. During these discussions, you might want to jot down various topics to which you both agree.. For example, both spouses might agree that they want to spend roughly an equal amount of time with the children after the divorce. You might also agree on things like child support, alimony, and property division.
It makes sense to be as detailed as possible during these discussions. Even minor disagreements could lead to legal issues if left unresolved. For example, you might want to address how each specific piece of property in your marriage should be addressed. Consider running an inventory of everything you own before proceeding, and include personal property such as jewelry and furniture inside the family home.
If you feel confident enough, you and your ex can begin drafting the agreement – perhaps by typing out all of your various decisions on your computer. You should know that this is almost certainly going to be your first draft. Revisions are inevitable, but it may help to at least put all of your discussions and agreements in writing.
Legal Assistance Is Highly Recommended Before You Sign Anything
According to family courts in Georgia, “you should talk to a lawyer before you sign any settlement papers or file anything in court,” even if your divorce is “friendly” or “amicable.” Although you can certainly begin the process of drafting your agreement alone, legal assistance is highly recommended for the next steps. A lawyer can help you revise and finalize your draft so that it will be approved by a family law judge.
Note that this final revision may not take long, and it may not be overly expensive. Many family lawyers are highly respectful of budget limitations, and you can communicate these concerns during your first consultation. Fortunately, divorce mediation allows many spouses to handle this legal process in a quick, easy, and affordable manner. Speak with an Atlanta mediation lawyer today to learn about the next steps.
Can a Divorce Lawyer in Atlanta Help Me Finalize My Marital Settlement Agreement?
Although it may be possible to begin the drafting process yourself, a divorce lawyer in Atlanta can help you finalize this document as you end your marriage. Consider working alongside an Atlanta divorce lawyer who has considerable experience with divorce mediation – such as Kaye, Lembeck, Hitt & French. With our help, you can resolve your divorce in a quick, affordable manner with minimal issues. Reach out today to get started.
Sources:
southernjudicialcircuit.com/selfhelp/divorce/divorcewithminorchildrenUNinstruct.pdf
southernjudicialcircuit.com/Georgia-Circuits.pdf
