Allow me to simplify things for you.
It isn't all that easy, and isn't simple by any means.
As you'll soon discover.
===============================
In Georgia you and your spouse must be "legally separated" to file for divorce, but that doesn't mean you must be living apart.
According to Georgia law, you are legally separated if you are no longer engaging in marital relations and you consider yourselves to be in an actual state of separation.
To obtain a "no-fault" divorce in Georgia, one spouse must simply state a belief that the marriage is over, or "irretrievably broken." Most divorces in Georgia are no-fault divorces.
The person seeking the divorce (the "plaintiff" or "petitioner") must file a document in the appropriate Superior Court.
The document is the "complaint" or "petition."
It contains information such as current living arrangements, children, marital assets, debts, and the specific reason for seeking divorce.
A copy of the complaint will be served on (personally delivered to) the other spouse (the "defendant" or "respondent") by a sheriff of the appropriate county, or that spouse may acknowledge service by signing a document before a notary public.
The defendant is allowed 30 days to file a written answer to the complaint.
Whether your divorce is complicated or simple, is determined how you and your spouse behave.
The more you can agree, the easier the divorce becomes.
If you reach an agreement on all issues, the divorce is "uncontested," and may be granted as soon as 31 days after all filings have been completed.
Until the court has ruled on the divorce petition, BOTH parents share custody.
The judge will try to fashion a custody plan that is in the "best interests of the child."
The judge considers the age and gender of the child, the ability of each parent to nurture the child, and protect the child.
Any child who has reached 14 years of age COULD be allowed to choose which parent will have physical custody.
A judge will often listen to the wishes of children aged 11 to 13.
The court can award joint custody instead of sole custody.
There are two types of joint custody: Joint legal custody, where both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child; and joint physical custody, where the child has substantially equal time and contact with both parents.
The court may order joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both.
Parents must support their children, until a child reaches majority at age 18.
The non-custodial parent usually is required to pay a reasonable amount to the custodial parent to assist with the child's living expenses.
Child support may also include payment for health insurance, medical and dental expenses, and life insurance.
Courts rely on child support guidelines (Georgia Code section 19-6-15) to calculate the appropriate amount of child support.
The amount is based on factors including time the non-custodial parent spends with the children, the ages of the children, daycare costs, medical costs, education costs, significant income or debt of either parent, and obligations to another household.
The guidelines are revised frequently.
Each parent is required to prepare a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit, setting out his or her financial circumstances.
How to File for Divorce in Georgia | Rocket Lawyer
The state of Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce.
One of the 13 reasons is "irretrievably broken marriage", or the no-fault ground.
