Georgia Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Georgia family law attorneys who can guide you through Georgia’s equitable distribution framework.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with a Georgia attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Georgia family law case review

A Georgia attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Georgia family law case

When you submit a Georgia family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Georgia law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Georgia who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in Georgia

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Georgia family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in Georgia.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 6 months
6 months in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2); 30-day post-service waiting period before hearing
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13) — fair, not necessarily equal
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests with 17 factors (O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3); child 14+ may elect with court approval
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15)
Spousal Support Framework: Alimony
Alimony under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 — court discretion; adultery and desertion can bar alimony
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Georgia allows no-fault divorce on the ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3(13)) and retains 12 fault grounds (adultery, cruel treatment, desertion, etc.). Residency is 6 months in Georgia before filing (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2), and there is a 30-day waiting period from service before the divorce can be heard. Georgia is an equitable distribution state under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13 — judges have wide discretion to divide marital property fairly. Custody is decided under best-interests factors at O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, with children 14+ allowed to elect their custodial parent. Georgia uses the Income Shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15.

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in Georgia

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in Georgia

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested divorce

When both spouses agree on all terms, Georgia allows finalization shortly after the 30-day waiting period via stipulation and final judgment.

Sound like yours? A Georgia attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

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Exhibit D

How much do Georgia family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Georgia · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Georgia are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Georgia are not handled on contingency. Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Georgia family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-2 based on relative financial circumstances.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit E

What your Georgia family law compensation can include

A Georgia family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

Equitable distribution under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13 — fair (not necessarily equal) division of marital property based on contributions, needs, and conduct.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Georgia family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Georgia attorney will review it for free.

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At minimum, 30 days from service — Georgia’s waiting period under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. Uncontested divorces typically finalize 31–90 days after filing. Contested cases generally take 6–18 months, longer in busy Atlanta-metro courts.

Yes. Georgia recognizes irretrievable breakdown as a no-fault ground under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3(13). Georgia also retains 12 fault grounds including adultery, cruel treatment, willful desertion for 1 year, habitual intoxication, and others — fault can affect alimony.

No mandatory pre-filing separation is required. Georgia requires only the 30-day post-service waiting period under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 before the case can be heard.

Georgia is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly — not necessarily equally — under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13 considering each spouse’s contributions, future financial needs, conduct during the marriage, and other equitable factors. Separate property (premarital, gifts, inheritance) is exempt.

Georgia applies a best-interests standard under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 with 17 factors. A child age 14 or older has the right to elect which parent to live with, subject to the court’s finding that the choice is in the child’s best interest. Children 11–13 may state a preference that the court considers but is not bound by.

Georgia uses the Income Shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. Both parents’ adjusted gross incomes are applied to the basic child support obligation table and prorated, with adjustments for healthcare, childcare, parenting time, and other factors. Georgia uses a worksheet calculator.

Yes. Custody and child support can be modified on a material change in circumstances. Child support requires the change to be substantial. Alimony — periodic alimony can be modified on changed circumstances; lump-sum alimony cannot. Property division is final.