Pataula Judicial Circuit Clay, Early, Miller, Randolph, Quitman, Terrell, & Seminole counties Instructions for filing an UNCONTESTED DIVORCE without children1 Quick Facts: You must file a complaint for divorce in the Superior Court to end a marriage in Georgia. You can either hire an attorney2 who will prepare your case and represent you in court, or you can use the sample forms included in this packet and represent yourself in court. NOTE: YOU MAY NOT NEED ALL OF THE FORMS OR YOU MAY NEED ADDITIONAL FORMS (NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET) THAT YOU CAN FIND ON THIS WEBSITE.3 If you represent yourself, you are considered to be pro se4. After a court issues a final judgment and decree5, you can remarry. An uncontested divorce is one in which the parties work out an agreement regarding issues such as alimony, property division, etc. The parties do not ask the judge to settle arguments between them, but rather work things out by themselves. In an uncontested divorce, the judge is only asked to approve the decisions which you have made together with your spouse. If this is not the case, YOU HAVE NOT SELECTED THE CORRECT FORMS. This court always recommends that you seek the advice of an attorney if you are filing for a divorce that involves minor children. If one or more of the following situations below applies to you, then you MAY WANT TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE PROCEEDING. o The case becomes contested and your spouse has a lawyer. o You cannot find your spouse to serve him or her with your papers. o You think you will have difficulty getting information and documents from your spouse regarding income, retirement funds, etc. Use black ink only or type in the fillable form. PLEASE PRINT THEM LEGIBLY. Failure to provide improper, incomplete, or illegible forms will delay the filing and ultimate finalization of your divorce. NOTE: ONCE THE DIVORCE IS FILED YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP YOUR FINAL DIVORCE HEARING 1 Please note that these forms are free to download, but no one in the court (personnel in the judges’ offices or clerks’ offices) can assist you with legal advice or help you fill out these forms. If you need assistance, please get the advice of a Georgia licensed attorney. 2 All attorneys licensed in Georgia are listed at https://www.members.gabar.org/Custom/Directory/ 3 This may be required if you would like a restraining order, etc. 4 Pro se means you are NOT represented by an attorney and court personnel cannot assist you. 5 This will take at least 31 days to finalize. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 1 DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS6: STEP 1: Complete the Domestic Relations Filing Information Form. To complete the Filing Information form: 1. In the top line, fill in the county where you are filing and the date filed. 2. In the second line, fill in the names of the Plaintiff and Defendant. 3. Where it says “Plaintiff/Petitioner’s Attorney,” check the box which says “Pro Se.” 4. In the left-hand box, check “Divorce.” 5. In the right hand box, indicate whether or not you are asking for relief from family violence by checking yes or no in the appropriate boxes.7 STEP 2: Complete the Complaint for Divorce. Fill in your full name as the Plaintiff and your spouse’s full name as Defendant. Do not fill in where it says Civil Action File No. because your case has not been assigned a case number yet. Insert your name in the space provided just before paragraph one (1). 1. Paragraph 1: Subject Matter Jurisdiction a. Check box a) if you have lived in the state of Georgia for at least six months prior to filing your complaint for divorce. b. Check box b) if you are not a resident of the state of Georgia, but your spouse has lived in Georgia and in the county where you are filing for at least six months prior to your filing the complaint for divorce. c. NOTE: If neither a) or b) applies to you, you cannot file for divorce here. The filing will have to be made in the proper jurisdiction. 2. Paragraph 2: Venue and Service a. The venue refers to the proper place to hold a trial based on issues such as fairness and convenience to the parties, as well as the county’s connection to the events in dispute. In Georgia, the general rule is that the proper venue (place) to sue a Defendant for divorce is in the Defendant’s county of residence. This rule can be found in the 1983 Georgia Constitution, Article 6, Section 2, Paragraph 1. You can read this online at http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart6.htm. When the Defendant in a divorce case is incarcerated, Georgia courts have held that venue is proper in the county where the Defendant 6 You may not need all of the forms that are included in the “Uncontested Divorce with Children” packet. Neither the court nor its personnel can advise you which forms you will need. If you need help determining this, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney. 7 You may have to include additional forms if this is the case. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 2 resided with his or her spouse before the incarceration. See Scott v. Scott, 192 Ga. 370, 15 S.E.2d 416 (1941); McLeod v. McLeod, 144 Ga. 359, 87 S.E. 286 (1915); Barton v. Barton, 74 Ga. 761 (1885). b. Venue in a Georgia divorce is proper in: The county where the Defendant resides, if s/he is a resident of Georgia; The county where the Plaintiff resides, if the Defendant is not a Georgia resident; Any county adjacent to a military post or reservation (for a divorce where a party has resided on that military post or reservation for a year before the divorce was filed) NOTE: Venue can be waived, either by signing a waiver form or by failing to object to improper venue IF it is the county where the Plaintiff resides, IF the Defendant moved from that county within 6 months of the date of filing; AND That county was the marital domicile at the time the parties separated. Acknowledgement of Service Check box a) if your spouse will sign an Acknowledgement of Service. You will need to give your spouse of copy of your completed Complaint for Divorce and have him/her sign the Acknowledgement of Service. By signing this form, your spouse is letting the court know that he/she has received a copy of your petition and, therefore, will not need to be served with a copy of your petition by the sheriff. Check box b) if your spouse lives in Georgia but does not live in the county where you are filing; or your spouse lives in another state and will consent (agree) to let you file for divorce in Georgia. 3. Paragraph 3: Date of Marriage a. Check box a) if you and your spouse have a marriage certificate. Insert the date you were married in the space provided. (Example: 1/1/2000 or January 1, 2000) Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 3 b. Check box b) if you and your spouse are common law married. Insert the date you and your spouse entered into your marriage in the space provided. You were common law married if the following statements are true: You and your spouse were able to enter into a contract at the time you established a common law marriage. You were over age sixteen and mentally competent. You and your spouse actually entered into a contract of marriage meaning that you and your spouse agreed that you were married. You and your spouse have had sexual intercourse. All of the above were done before January 1, 1997. 4. Paragraph 4: Date of Separation a. Insert in the space provided the date you and your spouse separated. It is not essential that the husband or wife leave the marital homeplace; separation can occur when one spouse moves into another room with the intent and purpose of suspending conjugal rights. The suspended conjugal rights include the company, cooperation, assistance, aid and intimacy of the other spouse in every conjugal way. See Hosford v. Hosford, 58 Ga.App 188, 199, 198 S.E. 289(1938); Blasingame v. Blasingame, 249 Ga. 791, 294 S.E. 34 (1982). 5. Paragraph 5: Children Check the box underneath paragraph 5 to indicate that you have no minor children. If this is not the case, then you do not have the correct forms. 6. Paragraph 6: Grounds for Divorce a. This uncontested divorce packet uses the most common ground for divorce, that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” This means that you and your spouse are unable to live together, and there is no hope that the two of you will get back together again. This is what is commonly called a “no fault” divorce. 7. Paragraph 7: Settlement Agreement a. Check the box beside paragraph 11 to indicate that you have signed a settlement agreement with your spouse. STEP 3: Verification TO BE PROPERLY FILED, THE VERIFICATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND NOTARIZED. Complete the Verification form. Insert your name as Plaintiff and your spouse’s name as Defendant. Do not fill in where it says Civil Action File No. The clerk will Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 4 assign a number to your case when you file your complaint. You will need to sign this Verification in the presence of a Notary Public. Most banks and many libraries have a notary on staff and will notarize your documents for a small fee. STEP 4: Settlement Agreement The Caption: Fill in the name of the county in which you are filing. Fill in the names of the Plaintiff and the Defendant. Leave the Civil Action No. blank empty; the Clerk of Court will assign a number to the case. Introductory paragraph: insert the names of the husband and wife. 1. Paragraph 1: Separation a. Check the box beside paragraph one to show that you want to live apart from one another. 2. Paragraph 2: Alimony a. Check a) if you agree to have alimony payments for the support of one of the parties. Check the boxes to show who is making payments to whom. In the blank provided, indicate the amount. Check the box beside week/month to indicate how often the payments should be made. In the blank provided, indicate the date on which the first payment should be made. 3. Paragraph 3: Division of Property a. Choose box a) if you have no marital property to divide. b. Choose paragraph b) if you have already divided up your marital property to your mutual satisfaction. c. Choose box c) if you have items of property to be divided. In the blanks provided, list what those items are. 4. Paragraph 4: Division of Debts a. Check box a) if you have no joint debts which should be divided. b. Check box b) if you have joint debts which need to be divided. In the chart provided, list the name of the creditor, the amount owed, and who will be responsible for the debt. 5. Paragraph 5: Name Restoration Check the box beside this paragraph if a party wishes to be restored to a former surname or to a maiden name.8 (EX: Jane Elizabeth Doe to Jane Elizabeth Smith) 6. Paragraph 6: Binding Agreement 8 Make sure to include first, middle, and last name. If you fail to fill out this portion, but would like a maiden name restored after the finalization of the divorce, you will have to have your name changed through the superior court in a separate filing. This will have an additional cost. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 5 Check the box beside this paragraph to show that this agreement was entered voluntarily without any external pressure and that that there are no agreements other than those listed in this document. 7. Paragraph 7: Enforceability Check the box beside this paragraph to show that you agree to be bound by this agreement whether you maintain a separate maintenance or go on to get a divorce. Each party must sign the Agreement in the presence of a notary public. The parties do not have to sign at the same time, and they do not have to use the same notary public.9 STEP 5: Other Court Documents In addition to the complaint for Divorce and the Verification, you will need to attach the following forms to your complaint (they are in the packet): 1. Consent to Try within 31 Days 2. Acknowledgement of Service [OR] Acknowledgement of Service, Affidavit of Waiver of Venue and Personal Jurisdiction 3. Final Order How to complete the final order: Caption: Fill in your full name as the Plaintiff and your spouse’s full name as Defendant. Do not fill in where it says Civil Action File No. The clerk will assign a number to your case when you file your complaint. Please indicate whether or not the wife would like to restore her maiden name. PLEASE PUT THE FULL NAME. Example: Jane Elizabeth Doe. 9 If one party lives elsewhere they may get it signed in the presence of a notary then mail it to the filing party. The court will not accept the filing if it is not notarized. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 6 UNCONTESTED DIVORCE WITHOUT CHILDREN CHECKLIST: 1. Do I have my Domestic Relations Filing Form Completed (except for the case number which will be provided by the Clerk of the Court? 2. Do I have my Complaint for Divorce? If yes, does it meet the following requirements? o I know where my spouse is; AND o I plan to use the no fault reason for divorce, “irreconcilable differences;” AND o My spouse and I are willing to sign a written agreement (contract) that decides the following issues: Whether you have any debts, and how to divide them; Whether you have any possessions that need to be divided, and how; AND Whether you will have alimony, and if so, how much. 3. Do I have my Verification form? If yes, is it properly completed and signed by the Plaintiff in the presence of a notary public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their seal and/or signing it? 4. Do I have the Consent to Trial 31 Days After Service and Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury? If yes, is it properly completed and signed by the Plaintiff and Defendant in the presence of a notary public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their seal and/or signing it? 5. Do I have an Acknowledgement of Service OR Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Service Affidavit of Waiver of Venue and Personal Jurisdiction? If yes, are they properly completed and signed by the Defendant in the presence of a notary public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their seal and/or signing it? 6. Do I have a Final Divorce and Decree? 7. Do I have all required financial affidavits which are required by this Court to obtain my Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce? IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED NO TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK TO FILE A DIVORCE IN THIS CIRCUIT. Please secure the documents and/or meet the requirements as set forth above or consult an attorney who will do so on your behalf. I understand that I represent myself and that no one in the Court can assist me with any of this process (this includes personnel in the clerk’s office and judge’s office). ________________________________ [Plaintiff] ____________ [Date] Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 7 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * vs. ______________________________, Defendant. COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE Comes now Plaintiff, _____________________________, [name] in the above-styled action and files this Complaint for Divorce against Defendant and respectfully shows the court the following: 1. Residence Requirement (Check only ONE either A, B, or C) (A) Plaintiff lives in ___________________ County, Georgia, and has lived in the State of Georgia for at least months prior to this action. (B) Plaintiff lives in ___________________ County, Georgia, at the following military post: ___________________________________________ for at least one year before filing this petition. (C) Plaintiff does not live in the State of Georgia, but Defendant has been a resident of the State of Georgia for at least six (6) month prior to my filing this action. Defendant lives in ___________________ County, Georgia. 2. Venue and Service (Check only ONE either A, B, or C) (A) The Defendant lives in Georgia, in ___________________ County, and we are filing this action in the Defendant’s home county. Defendant has signed the Acknowledgement of Service. (B) The Defendant lives outside the State of Georgia in ___________________ County, ___________________ [state]. The Defendant has signed an Acknowledgement of Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 8 Service/Affidavit of Waiver of Venue and Personal Jurisdiction consenting to let this Court handle the divorce. 3. Date of Marriage (Check only ONE either A or B) (A) Plaintiff and Defendant were lawfully married on _______________________ [date]. (B) Plaintiff and Defendant are common law married, having entered into a common law marriage before January 1, 1997 on _______________________ [date]. 4. Date of Separation The Defendant and I are separated. All companionship, cooperation, assistance, aid, and intimacy ended on or about _______________________ [date]. We are still separated. 5. Minor Children of the Marriage There are no minor children born of the marriage and the wife is not now pregnant. 6. Grounds for Divorce Plaintiff is entitled to a divorce upon the statutory ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no hope of reconciliation, O.C.G.A. §19-5-3(13). 7. Settlement Agreement The parties have both signed a settlement agreement that resolves all issues as to an equitable division of property and debts. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests: (a) That the parties herein be totally divorced; (b) That he Court adopt and incorporate the parties’ settlement agreement into a final judgment and decree in this matter; Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 9 (c) That the Wife’s name be restored to her former name, which was: __________________________________________ (first, middle, last name) (d) That the Plaintiff has such other and further relief as this Court deems equitable and just. Respectfully submitted, this _______ day of ________________________, 20___. ____________________________________________ Signature of Plaintiff ____________________________________________ Plaintiff’s Name Printed ____________________________________________ _________________, _____ _________ Plaintiff’s Street Address City State Zip Plaintiff’s Home Phone: __________________ Alternate Phone: __________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 10 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, vs. ______________________________, Defendant. * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * VERIFICATION The Plaintiff personally appeared before the undersigned notary public, and the Plaintiff on oath states that the facts set forth in this Complaint are true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. _______________________________________________ Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 11 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * vs. ______________________________, Defendant. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT This is an agreement by and between ________________________________ (hereinafter referred to as “Wife”) and _______________________________ (hereinafter referred to as “Huband”). WHEREAS, the parties are married but are currently living in a bona fide state of separation; WHEREAS, the parties desire to settle between themselves all questions of division of property, alimony, and all other rights and obligations arising out of their marital relationship; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the parties agree as follows; 1. Separation The parties shall continue to live separate and apart and each shall be free from interference, molestation, authority and control, direct or indirect, by the other as fully as if sole and unmarried, and each may reside at such place or places as he or she may select. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 12 2. Alimony (Check only ONE either A, B, or C) A. The Husband /Wife shall pay to the Husband /Wife as alimony the sum $_________ per week/month, to be paid beginning on __________ and to continue thereafter until the Husband /Wife remarries or dies. B. The Husband /Wife shall pay to the Husband /Wife as alimony the sum $_________ per week/month, to be paid beginning on __________ and to continue thereafter until the following date: the ______ day of _________________[month], ________[year]. C. The parties hereby expressly waive (give up) alimony for the past, present, and future. 3. Division of Property (Check only ONE either A, B, or C) A. The parties acknowledge that they have no marital property to divide. B. The parties acknowledge that they have previously made a division of their household furniture, furnishings, household goods, equipment, and other such property. Neither party shall claim any of the property in the possession of the other as of th date of the signing of this agreement. C. The parties acknowledge that they possess various items of jointly owned property which shall be divided as follows: 1. To the Wife: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 2. To the Husband: Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 13 _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 4. Division of Debts (Check only ONE either A or B) A. The parties acknowledge that they have no outstanding joint debts. B. The parties agree to the division of debts as indicated below: Creditor: Amount: Responsible Party: The responsible party will repay the non-responsible party for any collection on these obligations. 5. Name Restoration The parties request that the Wife’s name be changed to a former name, which is: ____________________________________________ 6. Binding Agreement The parties acknowledge that they have entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and that it is not the result of any duress or any undue influence. This agreement is the entire understanding of the parties and there are no verbal agreements outside of this written contract. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 14 7. Enforceability It is expressly understood that this Agreement does not obligate the parties to continue to live in a state of separation or to proceed with an action for divorce. However, in the event that either party shall bring or maintain an action for dissolution of the marital relationship, this Agreement shall be presented to the court and incorporated by reference into judgment or decree concerning the matters provide herein. Notwithstanding such incorporation, this Agreement shall survive and be enforceable independently of the judgment or decree. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed their names, this _______ day of _________________, 20____. _______________________________________________ Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ _______________________________________________ Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 15 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, vs. ______________________________, Defendant. * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * CONSENT TO TRIAL 31 DAYS AFTER SERVICE AND WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY Both the Plaintiff a the Defendant, as indicated by their signatures below, waive their right to trial by jury and consent to the hearing and granting of a divorce in this action any time thirty-one (31) days after the filing of the acknowledgement of service or after service has been perfected. _______________________________________________ Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ _______________________________________________ Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 16 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, vs. ______________________________, Defendant. * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE AND SUMMONS The undersigned Defendant hereby acknowledges service of the above Summons and Complaint for Divorce and states that he/she has received a copy of said Complaint, and Defendant hereby waives any further service of process. This the _____ day of __________________________, 20__. _______________________________________________ Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia My Commission Expires: ______________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 17 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, vs. ______________________________, Defendant. * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * DEFENDANT’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE AFFIDAVIT OF WAIVER OF VEUE AND PERSONAL JURISDICTION I, ___________________________________________________[name], the named Defendant in the above-styled case, after being duly sworn, do hereby declare that I am a resident of _________________________ County, ____________________[state], and that the Plaintiff in the above-styled case is a resident of __________________________ County, Georgia. I affirm that I have received a copy of said Petition/Complaint, and I hereby waive all further notice, service, and issuance of process. After being duly informed that I have a constitutional right to a trial by judge or jury on the above matter in the county of my residence, and with that knowledge, I hereby expressly waive my right to venue in the county of my residence, and consent to venue and personal jurisdiction in the county of this superior court. This the _____ day of __________________________, 20__. _______________________________________________ Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public) Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___. ___________________________________________ Notary Public, State of Georgia _____________________________ My Commission Expires Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 18 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA ______________________________, Plaintiff, vs. ______________________________, Defendant. * * * * CIVIL ACTION #: ________________ * * * * FINAL JUDGMENT AND DECREE Upon consideration of this case, upon evidence submitted as provided by law, it is the judgment of the Court that a total divorce be granted, that is to say, a divorce a vinculo matrimonii, between the parties to the above stated case upon legal principles. A hearing being held on the matter and Defendant agreeing to the jurisdiction of __________________________ County, Georgia, it is considered, ordered and decreed by the Court that the marriage contract heretofore entered into between the parties to this case, from and after this date, be and is set aside and dissolved as fully and effectually as if no such contract had ever been made or entered into. Petitioner and Respondent in the future shall be held and considered as separate and distinct persons altogether unconnected by any nuptial union or civil contract whatsoever and both shall have the right to remarry. The Court restores ________________________ (wife) to her prior or maiden name, which is: ___________________________________________________. Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 19 The parties shall adhere to the settlement agreement entered into between the parties and filed with the court on the ________ day of ________________, 20___ is hereby incorporated into and made a part of this Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce. Each party is restrained and enjoined from molesting or harassing the other party. Decree and order entered this _____ day of __________________________, 20___. ________________________________________ Judge, Superior Court of _________________________ County, Georgia. Submitted by: __________________________________, Plaintiff or Defendant pro se Phone #_______________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011 20