Divorce is a common occurrence in our society, and because of this many divorce attorneys may not deem it necessary to provide a definition of divorce or clients or potential clients. However, as Atlanta divorce attorneys, we feel that it is important for all who contact us with questions or concerns about the Georgia divorce process should leave with a good understanding of the divorce process, and the first step in explaining the divorce process is to define exactly what divorce is.
So, what exactly is a divorce? Well, a divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage. When a couple marries, the legal effect of that marriage is that the couple enters into a binding contact – the marriage contract – that established certain rights and obligations between the spouses. These rights and obligations include monetary and property rights as well as legal obligations concerning the care and support of any children born into the marriage.
In order to end a marriage, or dissolve the marriage contract entered into by the spouses, a divorce is necessary. A divorce is a legal proceeding that terminates the marital contract and settles each parties respective claims regarding property division, alimony, child custody and child support. Once a couple is granted a divorce by a court, the legal relationship between spouses is severed.