Not all divorces are created equal.
They all end with a Final Judgment and Decree.
But the journey to get there?
That can look very different.
Over the years, I’ve watched divorces unfold in every imaginable way.
Some are resolved with thoughtful conversations and careful planning.
Others become months of back-and-forth negotiations.
And some…well, some become all-out wars where nobody really wins.
If you’ve read any of my blogs before, you already know where my heart is.
If an uncontested divorce is possible, it’s almost always worth pursuing.
Let me show you why.
THE GOOD
After twelve years of marriage, Ben and Sarah came to a difficult conclusion.
The marriage was over.
There wasn’t a dramatic betrayal.
No courtroom-worthy showdown.
Just two people who realized they wanted different futures.
They talked.
They made a list.
They agreed on the house, the vehicles, their savings, and parenting time.
When they came to my office, they weren’t looking for someone to fight.
They were looking for someone to make sure they did everything correctly.
We prepared a thorough Settlement Agreement, drafted the required court documents, answered their questions, and filed everything properly.
About a month later, their divorce was finalized.
Their approximate costs:
- Attorney’s Flat Fee: Approximately $1,750
- Court Filing Fee: Approximately $250 (varies slightly by Georgia county)
Estimated Total: About $2,000
No surprise invoices.
No marathon court hearings.
No meter running every time they called.
Instead of spending money fighting each other…
They spent it moving forward.
THE BAD
Jason and Emily agreed on many things.
But not everything.
Who would keep the house?
How should retirement accounts be divided?
What would the parenting schedule look like?
The disagreements weren’t impossible.
They simply required more negotiation.
Attorneys exchanged drafts.
There were multiple meetings.
Several revisions.
A mediation session.
Additional motions.
Extra court filings.
Eventually…
They reached an agreement.
Their approximate costs:
- Attorney Fees: Approximately $6,000–$12,000 per spouse
- Mediation Costs
- Additional Filing Expenses
- Multiple Court Appearances
Estimated Total: $12,000–$25,000+
Notice something?
They still settled. They simply paid far more to get there.
THE UGLY
Meet Michael and Jennifer.
Everything became a battle.
The house.
The children.
The retirement accounts.
The dog.
Holiday schedules.
Who said what three years earlier.
Emails became evidence.
Text messages became exhibits.
Depositions were scheduled.
Experts became involved.
Discovery dragged on.
One hearing became another.
Months turned into a year.
Then another.
By the time the judge issued a final order, both sides were emotionally exhausted.
Financially drained.
And neither one felt like they had won.
Their approximate costs:
- Attorney Fees: $25,000–$50,000+ per spouse
- Expert Witnesses (when needed)
- Depositions
- Extensive Discovery
- Multiple Hearings
- Trial Preparation
- Trial
Estimated Combined Cost: $50,000–$100,000+
I’ve seen cases exceed those numbers.
And the heartbreaking part?
Many of them eventually settled anyway.
After spending tens of thousands of dollars getting there.
The Hidden Cost Nobody Talks About
Money is easy to measure.
Time isn’t.
Neither is stress.
Or sleepless nights.
Or the emotional toll on children.
An uncontested divorce doesn’t simply save dollars.
It often saves birthdays.
Holidays.
Vacations.
Relationships with extended family.
Peace of mind.
Those things don’t appear on an invoice.
But they’re incredibly valuable.
The Real Goal
People sometimes ask me,
“What’s the cheapest divorce?”
That’s not quite the right question.
The better question is:
“What’s the smartest divorce?”
Sometimes litigation is necessary.
If someone is hiding assets.
If domestic violence is involved.
If one spouse refuses to participate fairly.
You need someone willing to fight.
Absolutely.
But when two people are simply trying to end a marriage respectfully?
Why spend $50,000 solving a $2,000 problem?
Which Story Will Be Yours?
If you’re considering divorce in Augusta, Georgia, or anywhere on the Georgia side of the CSRA, you may have more control over your path than you realize.
Many people assume divorce automatically means court.
It doesn’t.
Many assume they have to battle over every detail.
They don’t.
Many think hiring an attorney means preparing for war.
In my office, it usually means preparing for resolution.
Because while I know how to fight…
I’d much rather help you avoid one.
Ready to Choose “The Good”?
If you and your spouse believe you can reach fair agreements—or you’re willing to try—an uncontested divorce may be the fastest, most cost-effective way to move forward.
I’d be honored to help you navigate the process with clarity, compassion, and more than 35 years of Georgia family law experience.
Because the best divorce isn’t the one that’s fought the hardest.
It’s the one that protects your future while costing you the least—in time, money, and peace of mind.