People experience feeling lost when they stand at Lenox Square’s center during the holiday season, while facing loud crowds and feeling lost about their next move. Going through a divorce in Atlanta can feel just like that. You get support through the process because you don’t need to handle it all by yourself.

Getting divorced isn’t something most of us plan for when we’re saying “I do” at the Swan House or planning our lives together. Yet here in Atlanta, thousands of couples find themselves heading to the Fulton County Courthouse every year to untangle their lives. And let me tell you, having the right attorney by your side makes all the difference between barely surviving the process and actually coming out okay on the other side.

Why You Actually Need an Attorney (Even If You Think You Don’t)

Look, I get it. Maybe you and your spouse are on decent terms. Maybe you’re thinking, “We can handle this ourselves and save some money.” And sure, that sounds good until you realize that Georgia divorce law has more twists and turns than the connector between I-75 and I-85.

Skilled Divorce attorneys and law firms like Kessler & Solomiany don’t just fill out paperwork – though honestly, there’s a mountain of that too. They protect your future. They make sure you’re not accidentally signing away rights to your retirement account or agreeing to something that sounds fair now but will hurt you five years down the road.

Here’s a real situation: A friend of mine thought she and her ex could handle everything amicably. They split things down the middle, shook hands, and filed the papers. Fast forward two years, and she discovered he’d hidden a significant bonus he received right before they separated. Without an attorney documenting everything properly, she had no recourse. Don’t let that be you.

Finding the Right Attorney in Atlanta

Not all divorce lawyers are the same. The ideal choice requires a family law specialist who understands the Atlanta court system operations. Start by asking trusted friends or family for recommendations. The State Bar of Georgia maintains an online directory which allows you to find qualified attorneys in your area.

Schedule at least three lawyer consultations because many lawyers offer free first meetings. During these, note how clearly they communicate and if they’re transparent about costs. Pick somebody who communicates technical information in basic language while giving honest cost estimates to prevent unexpected expenses.

What Happens During Your First Real Meeting

Once you’ve hired your attorney, the real work begins. That first substantive meeting usually lasts an hour or two, and you’ll want to bring some important documents with you. I’m talking about tax returns from the past few years, bank statements, mortgage documents, credit card statements, retirement account information, and any prenuptial agreements.

Your divorce attorney will ask questions that might feel invasive or uncomfortable. When did you get married? When did things start falling apart? Do you have kids? What assets do you own together? Are there any issues with addiction, infidelity, or domestic violence?

Now, here’s where it gets tricky – you need to be completely honest. I mean brutally, embarrassingly honest. Your attorney isn’t there to judge you. They’re there to protect you, but they can’t do that if they’re blindsided in court by something you didn’t mention. Think of them like your doctor – they need all the symptoms to make the right diagnosis.

Filing the Petition

Someone has to be the one to actually file for divorce. In Georgia, this person is known as the petitioner, while their spouse takes on the role of respondent. Your lawyer will create a legal document named petition for divorce, which must be submitted to the Superior Court located in your county of residence or your spouse’s county of residence.

This petition requires you to share your personal information along with your marriage date and information about your children and the court relief you need. Georgia functions as a no-fault divorce state which eliminates the requirement to prove any marital misconduct by your spouse. The only requirement for this process is to say “irretrievably broken” which is the legal term for a failed marriage.

People who receive divorce papers should stay calm because there is no need to panic at this stage. The deadline for your reply is 30 days from now. The period should be used for its intended purpose. The first step requires you to meet your attorney then gather all necessary documents before you create your response. The court will grant your spouse all their requested demands if you fail to respond to these documents because they will continue to exist.

The Discovery Phase

Remember when I mentioned all those documents you brought to your first meeting? Well, get ready to dig up even more. The discovery process is when both sides exchange information about finances, assets, debts, and anything else relevant to the divorce.

Your attorney might send something called interrogatories to your spouse – basically a list of questions they have to answer under oath. You’ll probably receive some too. There might also be requests for documents, depositions (formal interviews under oath), and subpoenas for records from banks or employers.

This phase can feel like overkill, especially if you think you already know everything about your spouse’s finances. But you’d be surprised what people hide when a marriage is ending. That “business trip” to Vegas? Your attorney might discover it was actually funded by a secret credit card you knew nothing about.

The Bottom Line

Going through a divorce in Atlanta is tough, no question about it. But having a skilled family law attorney by your side makes the journey manageable. The team resolves legal problems which enables you to concentrate on constructing your new beginning.

Yes, it costs money. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it’s emotionally draining. But trying to navigate Georgia’s divorce laws on your own can cost you way more in the long run – financially and emotionally.

People who need to separate from their spouse should begin the process immediately. The research for attorneys should begin right now. Schedule those consultations. Ask questions. You need to find someone who can protect your interests while helping you through this difficult period of your life. The future holds success for you because you have the right attorney who will help you succeed in the next phase of life.