How to File Online Divorce Papers in Georgia | Do It Over the Internet

Divorce in Georgia can be pretty simple if spouses meet all local requirements and do everything possible to avoid lengthy court battles. For example, it helps to resolve all disputes outside the courtroom.

What’s more, couples can take advantage of modern technologies to make some parts of their divorce process more manageable and less stressful.

In this article, we’ll explain what online divorce is, how it works in Georgia, who can use it, and how you can benefit if you choose this option for your case. So keep reading to get helpful insights!

Online Divorce: What Is It?

The term “online divorce” may lead some spouses to think that it’s a way to get a divorce over the Internet. However, it’s not. Online divorce or Internet divorce, as it’s also called, is the process of preparing an application for divorce online.

It can be confusing, but it’s crucial to understand that you can’t complete a divorce online. You can only get it through the court. However, you can complete your divorce papers online in Georgia, and we’ll tell you how.

How Web Divorce Works In Georgia

Online divorce in Georgia can be divided into several phases. We’ve described each of them in detail below.

Choose Uncontested Divorce

The main requirement for a couple to qualify for an online divorce is to make their breakup uncontested. It means that the spouses must resolve all disputes regarding property division, child custody, child support, alimony, etc.

An uncontested divorce allows spouses to proceed without an attorney and use online platforms to prepare documents.

Having come to a consensus, the spouses must document all their agreements in a Marital Settlement Agreement.

Meet Local Residency Requirements

Compliance with the Georgia residency requirements is equally important when getting a divorce. If the couple doesn’t meet them, the court won’t consider the case.

To end your marriage in Georgia, you or your spouse must have resided in the state for at least 6 months before filing for divorce.

Select Your Grounds for Divorce

Grounds for divorce are the reasons why spouses decide to end their marriage. They must be considered legal in Georgia.

If the spouses don’t want to mention the other’s misconduct or there wasn’t any, they can state a no-fault reason. In Georgia, a couple can say that their marriage is irretrievably broken, and there’s no chance of reconciliation. Typically, spouses opting for an uncontested divorce use no-fault reasons as they don’t require proof.

However, some spouses prefer to point out that one of the parties’ misconduct led to the dissolution of their marriage. Such reasons are called at-fault grounds, and in Georgia, they include:

• Impotence;

• Infidelity;

• Incest;

• Drug addiction;

• Alcoholism;

• Incurable insanity;

• Abandonment for one year

• Cruel treatment;

• Fraudulent contract;

• Pregnancy by another man at the time of the marriage;

• Conviction of a crime related to immoral behavior and imprisonment for at least two years;

• Lack of mental capacity to consent.

Find a Reliable Online Divorce Company

Today, there are many online divorce companies, but you need to choose one with the highest quality services. After all, the divorce process depends on the correct documents. If you submit outdated forms or they contain errors, the court will reject your paperwork, and you’ll have to re-do it.

To find a reliable provider, pay attention to how many years the company has been on the market, read previous clients’ reviews, check if they provide state-approved forms, and find out what the cost of service includes.

Generate Your Forms

Most companies ask their clients to fill out a divorce questionnaire. First, you need to confirm that your divorce is uncontested, and then, you complete a survey with questions about your marriage and the conditions for its dissolution.

Once the platform generates the documents, you can print them out, sign, and file them with the court. Most companies also provide written instructions for filing divorce forms.

File Your Forms

Once the couple is ready to proceed, the petitioner must submit paperwork to the county court. They can’t do it over the Internet. The petitioner must appear in court in person.

The filing spouse should have 3 copies of documents: one for the court, one for the applicant’s personal records, and one to be delivered to the respondent.

The petitioner must also pay filing fees, which in Georgia vary from $200 to $300. Those whose financial situation doesn’t allow them to pay can apply for a fee waiver.

Serve Your Spouse

After filing the documents with the court, the petitioner must deliver copies to the other party. If the spouses are ready to cooperate, the other party can sign and notarize a document confirming receipt. Another option is to hire a sheriff or a private server. They can deliver papers for a fee.

Once divorce forms are served and proof of service is filed with the court, a waiting period of 30 days starts. It’s the minimum period after which a judge can issue a divorce decree.

Why Is Online Divorce the Best Choice in Georgia?

Preparing documents online can simplify the paperwork process and reduce the cost of a divorce. You don’t need to waste time searching for, selecting, and filling out the necessary forms. What’s more, you don’t have to adjust to a lawyer’s schedule and spend thousands of dollars on their paperwork preparations services.

You can complete your application without legal background through easy-to-use online platforms supported on various devices. This option for divorce paperwork allows you to prepare your forms when and where it’s convenient for you. It’s a quick and affordable solution for those who value their resources.

Wrap Up

Although you can’t apply for a divorce over the Internet in Georgia, you can still use online tools to prepare your documents. However, your case must be uncontested for this to work.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes