Nobody wants to go to court unless they absolutely have to.
The formality. The time. The stress. The judge. It’s a lot.
So if you’re getting divorced—and you and your spouse are in agreement—you might be asking:
“Do I still have to go to court even if we’re not fighting?”
Here’s the good news:
In Georgia, many uncontested divorces are finalized without you ever stepping foot in a courtroom.
Let’s break down how it works.
What Is an Uncontested Divorce?
An uncontested divorce means both spouses agree on everything:
- How property and debts are divided
- Custody and visitation (if you have kids)
- Child support or alimony, if applicable
There’s no arguing or back-and-forth in front of a judge. Just signatures, paperwork, and a smooth path forward—if it’s done correctly.
So… Do You Have to Go to Court or Not?
Most of the time, no.
If you have a lawyer preparing your uncontested divorce in Georgia, the process often goes like this:
- You come in and sign everything (or have it notarized remotely).
- Your lawyer files the documents with the court.
- After the 30-day waiting period, the judge reviews and signs the final decree.
- Your lawyer picks it up—you’re done.
In many cases, you never have to go to a hearing.
When Might a Court Appearance Be Required?
Although rare, here are a few situations where you might need to appear:
🧾 If you filed the documents without an attorney
Some Georgia courts require a short hearing to confirm that both parties understand the terms—especially if no legal professional reviewed it.
👶 If your case involves children and the court needs clarification
Judges sometimes want to ask a few questions about parenting time or child support if something in the agreement is unclear.
❌ If something was missed or filed incorrectly
Errors in paperwork are one of the top reasons people end up in court—even when it was supposed to be uncontested.
How to Avoid Going to Court at All
If you’d rather skip the courtroom completely, here’s what helps:
✅ Work with an attorney
A lawyer makes sure everything is done right the first time—no errors, no delays, no unexpected court dates.
✅ File a complete agreement
Be thorough and specific. The clearer your divorce agreement is, the less likely a judge will need to intervene.
✅ Get your signatures notarized and ready
Don’t leave blanks or unsigned areas—these are red flags for the court and can trigger a mandatory hearing.
What It Looks Like With Our Help
At Catherine Ryan Law, our clients often tell us how relieved they are that they never had to see the inside of a courtroom.
Here’s what we provide:
- All documents prepared, filed, and reviewed
- Instruction sheets for signing and notarizing
- County-specific requirements handled
- Filing and follow-up with the court
- Peace of mind from start to finish
Most of our clients only come to the office twice—or send everything in electronically. Then we call when it’s ready to be picked up.
Skip the Courtroom. Keep the Peace.
If you and your spouse are handling things like adults, you deserve a divorce process that’s just as respectful and efficient.
Let us help you avoid the courtroom—and move on with clarity and confidence.
Schedule your consultation with Catherine Ryan here
We’ll handle the legal part, so you can focus on what’s next.