Georgia Marital Settlement Agreements

Marital settlement agreement is a legal document which is duly signed by both concerned parties - couple filing for divorce. This legal document details out all settlements that have been reached by the divorcing couple together pertaining to property, support and custody. The marital settlement agreement is a strong legal tool which portrays the decisions taken by the couple together about matters that concern them and their children to the court and presiding judge. This document is prepared legally and signed in presence of witnesses and is usually incorporated into the divorce judgment that eventually follows.

The couple who plans to get divorced is well aware of the problems that can popup later as well as the issues that need sorting out before filing for divorce. They and their respective legal counsels get together and come to agreements regarding:

• Division of property accumulated over married years.
• Amount being considered for child support.
• Need for spousal support and type of support to be extended.
• Sharing of parental responsibilities and type of custody to opt for.
• Measures to deal with future decisions and problems that would need sorting out with regard to children.
• Visitation routines and vacations.

A legal document is prepared with all particulars discussed and signed by the couple and counter signed by witnesses. This now is the marital settlement agreement and has to be submitted in court when divorce case comes up for hearing. A well thought out and prepared agreement can drastically quicken the granting of divorce in Georgia. If all the issues have already been taken care of, the judge has to evaluate divorce only on basis of grounds applied for, thus bringing a quick closure of the matter.

A detailed marital settlement agreement would even go to an extent of discussing issues such as health insurance, disability insurance, division of house and other real estate property, cars and other vehicles, furnishing, furniture, other household items, clothing, jewelry, sports equipments, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement plans and pensions, pets, art work, name changes of spouse and children, credit cards, other debts, frequent flyer miles and other assets, tax payments and distribution of refunds, social security benefits, family business or professional practice – payable and receivable accounts, legal fees, parenting particulars, resolving disputes and modification of agreement in future. Thus with all these details, marital agreement settlement is an enforceable contract that is given a lot of importance dur ing divorce hearings.

Divorces with a detailed marital agreement can save a lot of emotional anguish and turmoil later on. Especially in divorces with children a marital settlement agreement is a relief for everyone involved. They can be drawn up in consultation with an experienced Georgia family law attorney.