What is a cooperative divorce?

A cooperative divorce usually means a divorce the two of you settle together, out of court. In Georgia that is collaborative divorce, mediation, or an amicable divorce with your own attorney.

Do we each need a lawyer?

In a collaborative divorce, yes. Each spouse has their own collaboratively trained attorney. In mediation, no. One neutral mediator works with both of you, and either of you can have an attorney review the agreement before you file.

How long does a collaborative divorce take?

It depends on how many sessions the two of you need to settle every term. Once the agreement is signed and filed, Georgia requires 31 days before a judge can sign the final decree.

What happens if we cannot agree?

Both collaborative attorneys withdraw, and each of you hires a new lawyer for court. Each of you knows that going in, so both of you have a reason to settle.

We have children. Does that change things?

The parenting plan and child support are part of the same agreement. You work out the parenting schedule and how major decisions get made, and the plan goes to the judge with the rest of the case.

A lawyer for each of you, and no courtroom

Collaborative Divorce in Georgia

In a collaborative divorce, each spouse hires a collaboratively trained attorney, and both of you sign an agreement to settle without going to court. We handle collaborative cases in Georgia.

Your initial consultation is free.

Call (770) 214-4767 Or take the 2-minute quiz

Settle as a team → Sign the agreement → File with the court

The collaborative divorce process

Your attorneys, and often a financial specialist and a mental health professional, meet with the two of you in a series of sessions until every term is settled. Property, debts, support, and the parenting plan if you have children are worked out at the table. The signed agreement then goes to the court for a judge to approve.

Prefer to talk first? Schedule your free consultation, or take the quiz.

Quiz

Which Divorce Path Is Right for Us?

9 quick questions. Takes about 2 minutes.

Question 1 of 9

What are you hoping to find?

Collaborative divorce compared with mediation

People in the room. Collaborative: an attorney for each spouse, often with a financial specialist and a mental health professional on the team. Mediation: one neutral mediator with both spouses.
Decision-makers. In both, the two of you. A judge signs off on the agreement you reach, and does not set the terms.
If you cannot reach agreement. Collaborative: both attorneys withdraw, and each of you hires a new lawyer for court. Mediation: whatever you have already agreed on stands, and either of you can hire an attorney for what is left.
Timeline. Collaborative: a series of team meetings, usually over months. Mediation: usually one day, then Georgia's 31-day waiting period after filing.
Cost. Collaborative: each spouse pays their own attorney, plus the other professionals on the team. Mediation: one mediator's fee, shared. We go over the fee for each path in your consultation.

The paperwork and the filing

The terms go into a written settlement agreement, with a parenting plan and child support worksheet if you have children, in the form a Georgia court expects. Both of you sign it, and it is filed with the court in your county. One of you must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. Georgia requires 31 days after filing before a judge can sign the final decree. When both of you agree, there is no trial.

Your guide

Jeanette Soltys has practiced family law in Georgia for twenty years and is a Certified Amicable Divorce Professional and member of the Amicable Divorce Network. She built this process for couples who already agree the divorce does not need to be a fight.

Collaborative divorce questions

What is a cooperative divorce?: A cooperative divorce usually means a divorce the two of you settle together, out of court. In Georgia that is collaborative divorce, mediation, or an amicable divorce with your own attorney.
Do we each need a lawyer?: In a collaborative divorce, yes. Each spouse has their own collaboratively trained attorney. In mediation, no. One neutral mediator works with both of you, and either of you can have an attorney review the agreement before you file.
How long does a collaborative divorce take?: It depends on how many sessions the two of you need to settle every term. Once the agreement is signed and filed, Georgia requires 31 days before a judge can sign the final decree.
What happens if we cannot agree?: Both collaborative attorneys withdraw, and each of you hires a new lawyer for court. Each of you knows that going in, so both of you have a reason to settle.
We have children. Does that change things?: The parenting plan and child support are part of the same agreement. You work out the parenting schedule and how major decisions get made, and the plan goes to the judge with the rest of the case.

The Weekend Divorce

Collaborative divorce has become rare in Georgia. If you would rather work with one neutral mediator, usually in one day, that is our Weekend Divorce. Mediate Saturday, complete the paperwork Sunday, file Monday. The two-minute quiz shows which path fits, and we confirm it in your consultation.

Georgia residents: There is a mandatory 31-day waiting period after filing your Petition for Divorce before a judge can sign your final decree. Your mediation agreement can be fully drafted the same weekend. The clock on that 31 days starts the moment you file.

Start with a free consultation.

Tell us where the two of you stand, and we will tell you which path fits and what the next step is.

Call (770) 214-4767