Marietta, Georgia, Divorce Law Blog

Will your prenuptial agreement really protect you?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

These days, it is wise for every couple to create a prenuptial agreement, no matter how opposed they are to divorce or how few resources and assets they have when the marriage begins. A strong prenuptial agreement protects both parties from emotionally motivated decisions in the divorce process and can even protect spouses from each other's debts whether divorce occurs or not.

However, not all prenuptial agreements are created equal. Having some form of prenuptial agreement is better than none at all, but many of these have weaknesses that one side or the other may exploit. If you are ready for divorce, make sure to review your prenuptial agreement carefully to understand its limitations and identify any areas where it may not hold up in court if your spouse challenges it.

How social media can impact high-asset divorces

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Monday, February 18, 2019.

The more assets you have accrued during your marriage, the more likely it is that you and your spouse will have a difficult time separating them in your divorce. Both of you are likely to have your own desired outcome for the asset division process. The substantial assets you have accrued during your marriage are nothing if not incentive for both of you to push harder in a divorce.

Higher assets mean you need to take greater care to protect yourself and your financial future. You need to consider how every decision you make could impact your divorce and your financial future. That includes evaluating your use of social media for the duration of your divorce.

You deserve to protect your rights to parenting time

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

The strain of divorce affects all parents differently, and some handle the experience more gracefully than others. In the months and years following a divorce between parents, it is common for some to experience difficulty obeying a custody order, and they may test the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

Sometimes this behavior occurs because a parent finds it difficult to remain organized and does not operate on others' schedules well. In other cases, one parent may act out to punish the other, or may use their child as leverage to get something they want.

3 tips for resolving a divorce involving a business

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

A divorce isn't easy when you run a business. You have to make sure that your business is able to survive, or else you need to make smart decisions about closing it. In many cases, businesses are run by both parties involved in the divorce, so there are only a few options for what you can do next.

These options might include continuing to run the business together, selling the business and splitting profits or buying out your partner. Each of these has positive aspects and negative aspects.

Put a fair price on your interest in your family home in divorce

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Monday, January 7, 2019.

For the average married couple, the home that they share represents the most significant investment of their adult lives. Both parties likely spent months or even years scraping together money for the down payment. After securing a mortgage and closing on a house, a good portion of the household wages every month will go directly to a mortgage.

Beyond that, you may find yourself investing money in repairs or upgrades. Anything from remodeling to updating your electrical systems will cost a significant amount of money. Considering how much money you spend on it, as well as how much emotional attachment you likely develop to it, it is normal to want to ensure you receive your share of the home in the divorce.

Warning signs to watch for in a high-asset Georgia divorce

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Divorce has a way of making people act in uncharacteristically negative or unkind manners. A desire for revenge against a former spouse, as well as a focus on winning the divorce process, can lead people to engage in truly underhanded behaviors.

Bad decisions can impact any divorce, but they are particularly dangerous for families with high assets. After all, the greater the overall value of your marital assets, the more reason someone would have to engage in underhanded practices for personal profit. Certain assets, such as real estate holdings or ownership interest in a business, can become particularly contentious issues.

Is your business in trouble if you get divorced?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

If you own a business and are considering divorce, you must evaluate your situation carefully before moving forward. Depending on the specifics of your circumstances, the property division negotiations with your spouse may involve the business, which your spouse may claim is part of your marital property to divide.

While each business owner's divorce presents unique challenges, the dangers that divorce poses to a business are difficult to overstate. In simple terms, the law treats businesses the same way it treats other, much simpler, assets like real estate and savings accounts or investments. If your spouse does have a legitimate claim to some portion of the business, you may face some difficult decisions in order to keep the business intact while your marriage dissolves.

Separating with older children: Giving them the support they need

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Monday, October 15, 2018.

When you separate and divorce but have older children, it can be difficult to know exactly how to handle the situation. Older children have more independence, but that can also come across as trying to control the outcome of a situation they truly have no control over.

It's a good idea to approach a separation or divorce involving older children carefully. It's easy to alienate older children who may get fed up with the way their parents are acting or with the changes they don't want to go through. Older children can be more stubborn, although they also have the propensity to be more understanding.

How long will you need to pay alimony?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

One of the most contentious issues spouses will generally have to contend with during divorce proceedings is the subject of alimony. Georgia has very specific laws on the books concerning how much alimony the ex-spouses will need to pay and receive, respectively.

The need for alimony comes down to each of the spouses becoming used to a given lifestyle during the marriage. After the marriage ends, one spouse may make substantially less money than the other. In an attempt at fairness, the court may award alimony based on need and ability to pay.

3 things to consider when you are separated

On behalf of The Law Offices of Abbott & Abbott, P.C. on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

If you have been experiencing marital issues for some time, the prospect of divorce might be lurking in your mind, but perhaps it seems like too permanent an action to take at the moment. Many couples in this situation opt for a trial separation before making a decision about divorce. If you are separated or considering separating from your spouse, you should make the time as productive as possible.

You can accomplish this by considering a few key factors while you are separated from your spouse. Divorce is a major decision, and you should be absolutely sure that it is the right one for you. Think about the following if you are trying to decide whether divorce is the right option for your family: