Clear Answers About Divorce in Cobb County and Metro Atlanta
Divorce reorganizes the parts of life that are hardest to put back together: where your children sleep, what you own, what you owe, and what your finances look like years from now. The decisions made early in the process, what you file, what you agree to, what you sign, and how you handle property or parenting arrangements, can shape everything that follows.
Our Marietta team has practiced Georgia family law for decades and handles divorce cases in Cobb County Superior Court and throughout metro Atlanta. The office is led by William C. Gentry, current president of the State Bar of Georgia, alongside attorneys Bradley Weidemann and Colleen Warley.
What You Can Expect From Our Marietta Divorce Team
We start with your facts, not a template. Before recommending a strategy, we need to understand what matters most to you, what you own, what the other side is likely to do, and which outcomes you are unwilling to trade away. That conversation shapes the case.
We prepare for the possibility of court. Many Georgia divorces resolve through negotiation or settlement, but preparation still matters. That means organizing financial records early, identifying valuation issues, documenting important positions, and understanding where the other side may push back.
We give you a realistic picture of your options. You should understand the likely range of outcomes before making major decisions. We explain what Georgia law allows, where there may be room to negotiate, and where the risks may be greater than they first appear.
What to Think About Early in a Divorce
You do not need to have everything figured out before speaking with a divorce lawyer. But some early decisions can be difficult to undo later.
Questions about where the children are staying, whether either spouse plans to move, who has access to joint accounts, who remains in the marital home, and whether important financial records are available can all affect how a case develops.
Before making a major change, signing an agreement, transferring money, or moving out of the home, it can help to understand how that decision may affect your larger strategy.
How Divorce Works in Georgia
Residency and filing. One spouse generally must have lived in Georgia for at least six months before filing. A divorce is typically filed in the county where the responding spouse lives, which for many Marietta clients means Cobb County Superior Court.
Fault and no-fault divorce. Georgia allows both fault-based and no-fault divorce. Most cases proceed on the no-fault ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault does not have to be proven to end the marriage, although conduct during the marriage can matter in certain financial issues, including alimony.
Timing. A Georgia divorce cannot be granted until at least 30 days after the responding spouse is served. A truly uncontested case with a signed settlement agreement may finish relatively quickly after that period. Contested cases involving custody, significant assets, a business, or extensive discovery can take considerably longer.
Divorce Cases We Handle in Marietta
Our Marietta divorce attorneys represent clients in matters involving:
- Contested and uncontested divorce, including cases resolved through settlement and cases requiring litigation.
- High-asset and complex property division, including retirement accounts, investments, real estate, and substantial separate-property claims.
- Business and professional practice divorce, including valuation and ownership issues.
- Child custody and parenting time, including temporary and long-term parenting arrangements.
- Alimony claims and defense, including temporary and post-divorce support.
- Gray divorce, where retirement assets, real estate, long-term financial planning, and support may become especially important.
- Modification and post-divorce matters, including changes to existing family law orders.
- Family law appeals involving decisions entered by Georgia courts.
Divorce FAQs for Marietta and Cobb County
How long does a divorce take in Georgia?
A divorce cannot be finalized until at least 30 days after your spouse is served. Uncontested cases with a complete signed agreement may conclude relatively quickly after that period. Contested cases can take several months to more than a year depending on the issues involved, discovery, and the court calendar.
Do I have to prove my spouse did something wrong?
No. Most Georgia divorces proceed on the no-fault ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault can still matter in certain issues, including alimony.
Is Georgia a 50/50 divorce state?
No. Georgia uses equitable division, which means marital property is divided fairly based on the circumstances rather than automatically being split equally.
Do I have to move out of the house?
Not as a general rule. Moving out can affect practical issues involving possession of the home and parenting arrangements, so it is worth discussing the timing with an attorney before leaving unless safety makes an immediate move necessary.
What should I avoid doing before filing for divorce?
Avoid making major financial or parenting decisions without first understanding the possible consequences. Moving significant funds, signing agreements, changing long-standing parenting arrangements, or leaving the marital home can affect how the case develops. If possible, get legal advice before making changes that may be difficult to reverse.
What does divorce cost?
The cost depends heavily on how much is disputed. An uncontested divorce with a complete agreement generally costs less than a case involving contested custody, business valuation, forensic accounting, extensive discovery, or trial. We discuss fee structure and the likely scope of the case during the consultation.
What should I gather before my first meeting?
Useful documents include recent tax returns and pay records, statements for bank, retirement, and investment accounts, mortgage and loan documents, and a list of significant assets and debts. You do not need to have everything. We can start with what is available.
Serving Marietta, Cobb County and Metro Atlanta
Our Marietta divorce team represents clients throughout Cobb County and the surrounding Atlanta area, including Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings, Roswell, Alpharetta, Woodstock, and Sandy Springs, as well as matters in Fulton, Cherokee, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Paulding, Douglas, Forsyth, and surrounding counties.
Talk With a Marietta Divorce Attorney
You do not need to know exactly how your divorce will unfold before meeting with an attorney. The goal of an early conversation is to understand where you stand, which decisions matter now, and what options Georgia law gives you before deadlines or temporary decisions begin narrowing those options.
Schedule a consultation with our Marietta divorce team or call (770) 659-7030. Our Marietta office is located at 254 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060.