The tempting shortcut that isn’t a shortcut
When a couple is calm and cooperative, the idea pops up:
“Can one lawyer just do everything for both of us?”
Short answer: No. In Georgia, one attorney can’t ethically represent two people whose legal interests may differ in the same divorce case—even if you agree on everything today. Why? Because a lawyer owes each client undivided loyalty, confidential advice, and a duty to spot risks. Two spouses, one set of documents, potential gray areas with money, timing, taxes, parenting—there’s built-in conflict.
Peaceful doesn’t mean you share a lawyer. It means you share a process that keeps things fair, fast, and enforceable.
What a lawyer can do (and not do) in a peaceful divorce
A lawyer can:
- Represent one spouse, draft the full uncontested packet, and communicate clearly that the other spouse is unrepresented.
- Provide plain-English explanations of the documents to both in the room, while giving legal advice only to the client.
- Suggest that the non-client take the papers for independent review (optional) before signing.
- Prepare a county-compliant, judge-ready packet (settlement agreement, parenting plan if needed, Georgia Child Support Worksheet, affidavits) so you file once and finish cleanly.
A lawyer cannot:
- Give legal advice to both sides in the same matter.
- “Split loyalty” or negotiate against their own client to help the other spouse.
- Call themselves “neutral counsel” for both parties. That’s not how ethics rules work.
Think of it like this: one pilot, one aircraft. You can have a very smooth flight—but you can’t have the pilot promise two different landings.
“But we truly agree on everything.” Great—lock it in safely.
Friendly couples are our favorite uncontested clients because you’re already halfway there. The goal is to preserve that goodwill with documents a judge can sign the first time and enforce later if life changes.
Key places where “neutral” often backfires:
- Refinance language: “when able” wrecks credit. You need a deadline to apply and to close, plus a sale fallback if denied.
- Vehicles: “He’ll keep paying the SUV” is vague. Transfer title, fix insurance, and define loan assumption or payoff.
- Support: Georgia expects a Child Support Worksheet and clear terms for payment method, due date, and uncovered medical reimbursement.
- Parenting time: “We’ll work it out” sounds kind, becomes chaos. Put the weekly schedule, exchanges, and holiday rotation in writing.
- Proof & enforcement: Require simple statement uploads during transitions and fee-shifting for willful nonpayment.
A single drafting attorney can build all of this—for one client—without turning your calm agreement into a court fight.
Safer structures that keep it friendly
If you want efficiency without risk, here are options that actually work:
Option A: One attorney + informed, unrepresented spouse
- One spouse is the attorney’s client.
- The other spouse reviews the drafts, asks procedural questions, and signs if comfortable (or seeks a quick, independent consult).
- Result: one coordinated packet, minimal delay, clear ethics, no mixed loyalties.
Option B: Two attorneys who collaborate
- Each spouse has counsel, but everyone agrees to keep it uncontested.
- Attorneys trade redlines like professionals, not gladiators.
- Useful when there’s real property, retirement division, or tight timelines and you want extra eyes.
Either path respects your peace and your rights.
Red flags that say “get advice before signing”
- You’re being urged to “skip the child support worksheet” or keep terms “flexible.”
- You’re told the same lawyer can “represent both of you.”
- The house plan says “refinance when able” with no deadline or sale fallback.
- Car titles/loans/insurance aren’t clearly assigned.
- The parenting plan is a paragraph of vibes, not a schedule.
None of these are “mean.” They’re just expensive later. Fix them now.
What to expect in a clean, uncontested Georgia process
- Decision & info-gathering: assets, debts, parenting basics, insurance, and retirement details.
- Drafting: your attorney prepares a county-compliant packet tailored to Richmond, Columbia, or Burke requirements.
- Review & signatures: the non-client can ask questions and take time to review; both sign when ready.
- Filing: the packet goes to the correct county with the required affidavits and exhibits.
- Approval: when the court is satisfied, many uncontested cases can be presented for approval about 30 days after signatures; some are finalized without a hearing.
Speed comes from precision, not from sharing a lawyer.
Why couples ask for a “neutral attorney” (and what they really want)
- Privacy: You don’t want a spectacle. A precise uncontested packet protects privacy better than a DIY redo.
- Speed: One coordinated draft, county-ready, moves faster than mismatched templates.
- Fairness: You want to walk away without resentment. Fairness lives in clear terms, not in “neutrality.”
- Cost control: Fewer surprises later. Fixing errors costs more than drafting it right.
You can have all of this—with one lawyer representing one spouse—and still keep the tone respectful.
Professional bottom line
There’s no such thing as a “neutral attorney for both of us” in a Georgia divorce. There is a calm, ethical way to finish quickly: one lawyer drafts a judge-ready packet for one spouse, the other reviews and signs when comfortable, and everyone leaves with a clear, enforceable order.
That’s how peace stays peace.
Closing message
If you want a quiet, county-ready uncontested divorce—without ethical gray areas—Catherine Verdery Ryan, Attorney at Law, will draft, review, and file a packet that protects your goodwill and your future.
Visit catherineryanlawyer.com to start the calm path forward.