Peachtree City and Newnan Divorce Lawyer Safeguards Your Rights

Experienced Georgia attorney provides sound advice and advocacy

Once you’ve decided to dissolve your marriage, the next step is to seek out a capable and determined lawyer who can help you face this challenge. When you come to Thomas F. Tierney, Attorney at Law, you get the benefit of my three decades of experience representing spouses from Fayette and Coweta Counties. With offices in Peachtree City and Newnan, I have a thorough understanding of local courts and have earned the respect of my professional colleagues. When the parties are amenable, I am adept at reaching settlements to save clients time, and spare them expense and anguish. Should litigation be required, I am a proven trial lawyer who knows how to present a compelling case in support of my clients’ interests.

Choosing the appropriate process for your divorce

No two divorces are exactly alike. How yours proceeds depends on a range of factors, such as whether you have children and the size of your marital estate. Equally important is the state of relations between the parties. Are you and your spouse able to work cooperatively or is all trust gone? The answers to these questions will help determine how to handle decisions such as:

• No-fault or fault-based grounds — Georgia law allows you to file for divorce by declaring that the marital relationship is irretrievably broken. However, traditional fault grounds can also be used. Petitioners who allege marital misconduct, such as infidelity or cruelty, must be prepared to prove them by a preponderance of the evidence. Filing no-fault gives you one less issue to litigate and can pave the way for an uncontested or settled divorce.
• Contested or uncontested divorce — A contested divorce is one that requires a trial on at least one of the issues that must be resolved before the court will dissolve the marriage. An uncontested divorce is one in which the parties reach a settlement of all issues. They present their agreement to the judge for approval and avoid a trial. Many couples are able to reach a settlement through mediation, while others require a hearing to resolve their differences.

Under Georgia law, a couple must cease marital relations before either can file a divorce petition. This does not require a legal separation or residence in different homes. To file for divorce in Georgia, at least one spouse must meet the six-month residency requirement.  

Resolving your alimony, custody, child support and property division issues

There are four central issues that are to resolved before the court issues a divorce decree:

• Alimony — Also known as spousal support, a higher-earning spouse might be required to make payments to their partner who relied on their income. Either a husband or wife can request alimony, which can be awarded on a temporary basis during the divorce process, as well as for a period of time after the marriage has been dissolved.   
• Child custody and visitation rights — Under most circumstances, parents negotiate a parenting plan that allows both parties frequent, meaningful time with their children and sets forth guidelines regarding authority for decisions concerning their sons and daughters.  
• Child support — Georgia law requires both parents to provide for their children’s financial needs. Georgia family law looks at the income of both parents and other factors to set child support rates.
• Distribution of property — As an equitable distribution state, Georgia courts divide marital property in a manner that the judge believes to be fair, but might not result in an 50-50 split in value.

As your advocate, I work tirelessly to obtain the most favorable terms possible in each of these areas.

Contact a knowledgeable Georgia divorce attorney

Thomas F. Tierney, Attorney at Law, with offices in Peachtree City and Newnan, handles divorces and related family law matters for clients throughout Fayette and Coweta Counties. Please call 770-796-4031 or contact my office online for a consultation regarding your case.