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Ending a marriage is a big step, and you don't have to figure it out alone. Our Alpharetta divorce attorneys at Modern Family Law help you end your marriage under Georgia law, from filing to the final decree. We guide you through each step of the divorce process, and your first consultation is free.
Alpharetta is in Fulton County, so most local divorces are heard in Fulton County Superior Court. Georgia allows a no-fault divorce when the marriage is irretrievably broken, so you don't need to prove wrongdoing.
Many Alpharetta divorces involve stock awards, a business or a large retirement balance. Our divorce attorneys explain the financial and parenting decisions in plain language, so you can move forward with confidence.
Schedule a Free ConsultationHow your divorce moves forward depends on how much you and your spouse agree on.
If you agree on every issue, we can prepare your settlement agreement and final papers. Georgia can grant the divorce once 31 days have passed after service.
If you agree on some issues but not all, mediation or a collaborative process can help you settle privately. That privacy matters to many North Fulton professionals and business owners.
When you can't agree, a Fulton County judge decides the open issues. Either spouse can also ask for a jury to decide property division and alimony.
See what your case may cost with our Georgia legal fees calculator.
Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek and Roswell are all in North Fulton, so a divorce against a spouse living there is usually filed in Fulton County Superior Court, Family Division, at 136 Pryor Street SW in downtown Atlanta, about 25 miles south. If your spouse lives in Cumming or elsewhere in Forsyth County, the case may be filed in Forsyth County Superior Court at 101 East Courthouse Square in Cumming instead.
Either way, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. A Fulton County case starts with an Automatic Domestic Standing Order that limits moving money and assets, which matters if you hold stock awards or run a business. Parents of minor children must also complete a parenting seminar.
Most Georgia divorces follow the same basic steps.
One spouse files the complaint and has it served. The other spouse has 30 days to answer.
The standing order sets rules for both spouses while the case is open. The court can also set temporary custody, support and use of the home.
Both spouses disclose income, assets and debts. In high-asset cases this often includes business records and equity statements.
Many Alpharetta divorces settle without a trial.
The judge signs the final judgment and decree, along with any parenting plan and child support order.
Alpharetta is home to many technology and corporate employers. Restricted stock, stock options, deferred bonuses and business interests need to be valued and divided carefully, and we work with financial experts when needed.
Our Alpharetta divorce attorneys will listen to your goals and give you a clear plan. Book a free divorce consultation today.
We explain every step and every number in plain language, so you always know where your case stands and can make decisions with confidence.
Our Alpharetta family law attorneys represent clients throughout the greater Alpharetta metro area, including Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Sandy Springs, North Fulton County and surrounding communities.
Frequently asked questions
Alpharetta divorces are usually filed in Fulton County Superior Court at 136 Pryor Street SW in Atlanta. If your spouse lives in Forsyth County, the case may be filed in Cumming.
An uncontested Georgia divorce can be finalized after a 31-day waiting period from service. Contested and high-asset cases often take several months or longer.
Yes. The standing order bars both spouses from selling, borrowing against, trading or otherwise disposing of the parties' property outside the ordinary course of business while the case is open. Talk with your attorney before you exercise options or sell vested shares.
Divorce filings are generally public, but mediation and settlement talks are private. Some financial details can be kept out of the public record if the court orders it.
Yes. Many North Fulton couples settle through negotiation, mediation or a collaborative process, then ask the court to approve the agreement after the 31-day waiting period.
No. One lawyer can't represent both spouses. In an uncontested case, one spouse can hire a lawyer, and the other can review the agreement on their own or with a separate attorney.
Our Calculators
We’re not fans of surprises and we suspect you aren’t either. We built these divorce calculators just for you, so you know what to expect every step of the way.
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