Military Divorce

Because we are located near Fort Gordon, a military base located near Augusta, Georgia, the Goolsby Law Firm, LLC handles a fairly large number of military divorce cases. Although the Georgia residency requirements may vary a bit for military members, and while there are some other differences, by and large, handling a military divorce case is very similar to handling any other (civilian) divorce case. In other words, military people, (and their spouses), grapple with the same divorce issues as anyone else, including issues involving child custody, child visitation, child support, alimony, adultery, cruel treatment, and everything else under the sun.

This week, the Pentagon has released information reflecting that the divorce rate for members of the United States military has gone up, from 3.4 per cent last year to 3.6 per cent this year. That translates to approximately 27,312 divorces per year out of approximately 765,000 members of the military.

So, like everyone else, many military members, (and their spouses), are getting divorced, too. And it is clear that they face the same stressors on their marriages as everyone else. But, in addition, they also must often deal with separation from their loved ones which can add stress and other problems, too.

The bottom line is that people in the military have helped protect us and they deserve to be protected and helped by divorce lawyers when they face divorce and other problems, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family, (at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC), to your family: Happy Thanksgiving!

Divorce: Do I Have To Go To Court?

As Augusta, Georgia divorce lawyers, we are often asked by prospective divorce clients, "Do I have to go to court?" The answer is: It depends! (Don't you like crisp, clear "lawyerly" answers like this?!) More specifically, it will likely depend upon whether you are getting an uncontested or contested divorce.
1. UNCONTESTED DIVORCE: If you and your spouse are getting an uncontested divorce, then you probably won't be required to physically go to court. In other words, as part of the uncontested divorce documents, your divorce attorney will prepare a document whereby the other party will essentially sign and agree that your Georgia divorce case can be disposed of without your having to go to a court hearing. Of course, it is always possible that the court may have some questions about your case and require a hearing, even with an uncontested divorce. And naturally, you will need to discuss each of these issues with your own divorce attorney.
2. CONTESTED DIVORCE: However, if it is a contested divorce, then both parties WILL be required to go to court, several times, including, at a minimum, the temporary hearing, (or thirty day conference), and a final hearing. Again, you need to discuss with your own divorce lawyer what will occur at each of these hearings and how you will need to be prepared for court.
The bottom line is: If you are getting an uncontested divorce, you may not have to go to court, (in Georgia), but, if it is contested, you almost definitely will be required to go to court, unless you quickly settle your case.
So, see ya in court, (or not)!

Celebrity Divorces: Tina Turner

How many of you are old enough to remember the much publicized divorce between legendary singer and entertainer, Tina Turner, and husband, Ike Turner, back in 1977? You might recall that, back then, Ms. Turner came forward and accused Mr. Turner of spousal abuse. You can read all about the divorce in her book. But the point here is that the divorce and abuse didn't slow down Tina Turner! (Nor should it slow you down!) And her career is still going strong. Perhaps it is fitting to include a post about her, and celebrate her accomplishments, including her many successes after her divorce, as she approaches her 70th birthday, this week, on November 26th.

Please feel free to visit her fan sites and, if you wish, listen to her music on her birthday. And here's hoping that the "big wheel" will "keep on turning" and that "proud Mary" will "keep on burning!"

Divorce Parties

Have you heard about the latest divorce fad? It's divorce parties! Believe it or not, divorce parties are reportedly one of the fastest growing types of "theme parties!" Also, naturally, Las Vegas is quickly becoming known as the "divorce party capital of the world!" And one company actually even sells "divorce coffins" in which you can symbolically place a ring and then bury it.

Every situation is different. I would imagine that, in most cases, if you have just gone through an adversarial, bruising divorce over child custody, equitable property division, or other tough divorce issues, then you probably don't feel like having a party. And most folks simply cannot afford a lavish party, after a divorce, even if they felt like it. So, let's be honest: in most cases, for most people, divorce is no laughing matter and no time to party.

But isn't it interesting to see how different people react to life's hard blows? And it is interesting, in my opinion, to see that at least some people are heading to Las Vegas and other locations to party and celebrate their new beginnings. How about you? Do you know anyone who has had a "divorce party?" What do you think about it?

Divorce "Tip of the Day:" Who Gets To Claim the Children as Dependents?

Did you realize that there are other issues involving children, in a divorce, besides child custody, child visitation, and child support, which you need to discuss with your divorce attorney?

The tip for today involves who gets to claim the kids as dependents. In other words, while you are planning your divorce from your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," you might want to consider who should get to claim your children as dependents on your income tax returns. Now, this is not a tax advice blog and you should, of course, consult with your attorney and/or accountant before doing anything. Also, generally, the party who has primary physical custody and provides most of the support for the children will likely be entitled to claim the kids. But here are at least a few ideas for you to consider when negotiating a settlement agreement with Sluggo over who gets to claim the kids on their tax returns. In other words, this is often a negotiable matter.

As divorce lawyers, we have seen some clients elect, in the settlement agreement, to take all the kids as their own dependents. Others, when there are two or more children, may negotiate to let each party take at least one child as a dependent. (It would be to your advantage to take the youngest child as your dependent, so you will get to take the deduction/exemption longer).

Finally, one other idea for you to consider, in cases in which one party makes significantly more money than the other party, is for the party making the most money to get all the dependants, but provided you both agree in the settlement agreement to split the amount realized.

So, you see, this is another topic involving children, which you might not have thought of, and which you need to discuss with your divorce attorney!

Longest Lasting Marriages

This blog focuses on Georgia divorce law, but I thought it might be fun to give you a few interesting facts about long-lasting marriages, too!

According to Wikipedia, the current, living, record-holding couple for the longest lasting marriage lives in India. Incredibly, this couple, the Thomases, have lived together for more than 86 years! But a number of other couples around the world are not far behind. Wikipedia lists 37 couples who have been married for at least 80 years! Even though we are divorce lawyers, here's hoping that these marriages will last!

Do you know of any marriages which have lasted a long time? What were the secrets to their success?