How do you get a low cost divorce in Georgia? The answer is simple. Get an uncontested divorce. This is a divorce in which the parties are in agreement to get a divorce and will sign and notarize the final documents prepared by the Hughes Law office.
As we have stated elsewhere, parties to a divorce who have any idea of what they’re doing will want an uncontested divorce. And uncontested divorce, and agreed divorce, or a no contest divorce costs a flat fee of $495 plus the filing fees of $275 for cases without children. The cost is $995 plus the filing fee of $275 for cases with minor children. Compare this to contested divorces, where the cost of a divorce without children is approximately $15,000, and the cost with children is at least $25,000.
An uncontested divorce in Georgia also has the advantage that the parties need not appear in court. In effect, all the procedures take place online. Filing is effected by scanning documents into a portal called PeachCourt. After 31 days, the attorney will file a motion for judgment on the pleadings, which is a request to the court not to have a final hearing. This is granted routinely both because of the pandemic and because it saves court resources. The assigned judge routinely grants the motion and signs the final judgment and decree of divorce, which is served electronically to the parties via email. So the whole procedure takes place online, without any court appearance or in person meeting with the attorney.
Although the COVID pandemic has forced many court proceedings to take place online via zoom, email and telephone, it is likely that many of these changes will remain in effect indefinitely. This past year of no traffic and quiet has taught us all that physical presence is not absolutely necessary. Going forward, it is likely that many tasks will be performed remotely online from home offices or remote locations.
Interestingly Georgia statutes require that hearings be public. So for the past year we have been able to follow hearings on YouTube. The experience has been invaluable, highlighting the patience and dedication of judges and court staff.
Contact the Hughes Law office at 770-933-0780 for a free consultation.