abbott's blog

Disentangling your life from your former spouse’s takes time and effort, and if the two of you share a child together, you need to give additional thought to your child’s future. While you and your ex work through custody and child support arrangements, you can also use this time to hash out a plan to finance your child’s higher education.

The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2015 held that gay people in Georgia and across the country will have the right to marry if they so choose. In spite of how recent the decision is, there are still many legal hurdles that have yet to be overcome and fully determined.

The process of divorce can be a confusing time for children. In the midst of that transition, keeping some routines constant can help children feel more secure. Especially around the holidays, spending quality time with grandparents can be a great way to let children adjust to the new normal. Grandparents can offer a safe place for children to discuss their feelings about the divorce while their parents handle their own complicated emotions.

When news of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver separating hit the news, everyone seemed surprised. The couple had been married for 25 years, and Shriver stayed by Schwarzenegger throughout the allegations that he had groped women before running for office.

So what was at the center of their unraveling marriage? Many marital experts have suggested career stress. Couples in Marietta and throughout the country who are unable to separate professional stress from their home lives will likely turn to divorce as the solution.

Many people in Cherokee County heard the news story last month about a woman who sued her fiancé for breaking their engagement to marry. The Georgia man has now been ordered by a state appeals court to pay his ex-fiancée $50,000. So, does this mean that any Georgia resident can sue an ex for calling off a wedding? Not exactly.

Asset division in a divorce can become complicated very quickly when company shares and stock portfolios represent significant portions of marital property. Depending on the status, type and vesting schedule of stocks, this could have important implications in how assets are divided.

Types of stock options

In a high asset divorce, the types of stock options that are part of your marital assets might include:

A study that was recently published in “Psychology, Public Policy, and Law” shows that many family law judges view child custody cases differently than how the majority of Americans feel about them. Some judges in Georgia assume that mothers should be favored over fathers in custody cases.

In Georgia, judges have a lot of leeway when it comes to deciding alimony (spousal support) amounts. Ten judges could look at the same case and come away with 10 different payment amounts. Each case would have a well-reasoned explanation behind the award.

Domestic partnerships differ from traditional marriages in many ways, but they also share similarities, especially in regards to ending the relationship. When partners wish to separate, they have two options for where to file their petition. If the partners have very few assets and agree to separate, they may file their petition through the county clerk’s office or Secretary of State. If a couple has major assets or one partner contests the separation, however, they may need to file a petition in court.

If you are getting divorced and your spouse is not on the real estate deed, you might be wondering if he or she has any legal right to the property. Because Georgia has marital property and equitable distribution laws, both spouses generally have some property ownership despite not being named on the deed. Learn more about Georgia divorce laws and what might happen to your real estate during the process.