Understanding Division of Assets in Georgia

Dividing up the assets of a marriage is among the biggest of the many obstacles and challenges involved in a divorce. It’s also one of the most important, and can be difficult to understand.

Here a few things to know that may help you in navigating this part of the process:

1. Georgia is an equitable distribution state. This means that any property that you acquired throughout the course of your marriage is subject to division. Even if one spouse never earned money, or bought a single piece of property, they are considered under Georgia law to have contributed to the property of the family, and are entitled a percentage of the assets.
2. Any debts acquired during the marriage are considered property to be distributed and divided.
3. Courts take into account several factors when considering the division of assets, including:

• The value of the property
• The economic circumstances of each spouse
• The circumstances surrounding separation and divorce
• The length of the marriage
• The age and mental condition of each spouse
• How property and assets were acquired
• The standard of living of each spouse
• How much each spouse contributed to the wealth of the family

Property in Georgia is divided into 2 categories: real property, or any real estate acquired during the marriage; and personal property, including bank accounts, bonds, cars, furniture, personal belongings, and pets.

For more information, and for help navigating Georgia divorce law, call the Law Offices of Thomas C. Rowsey. We’re here to provide you trusted, reliable legal counsel in family law and are happy to help.