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Read Catherine Ryan’s perspective on divorce and personal injury law to understand steps you can take to protect your legal rights.

Same-Sex Divorce, Same Peace, Different Paperwork Traps

The myth that causes delays “Uncontested is uncontested, our forms will be the same.”Mostly true, not always. Same-sex couples often have extra documents and histories that a generic packet does not capture. When those details...

Relocation Roulette: Moving Out of State Without Wrecking Your Parenting Plan

The surprise text that changes everything “Got the offer. It’s in another state.”Career, family, or a cheaper cost of living can make moving look irresistible. But relocation without rules is the fastest way to turn a peaceful Georgia agreement into a logistical and...

The 72-Hour Panic: Can You Undo a Deal Before It’s Filed?

The “oh no” moment is normal You kept it calm, talked like adults, and signed a draft… then a detail starts buzzing in your head at 2 a.m. The house refinance date seems vague. The parenting exchange is during baseball practice. The child support payment method isn’t...

Final Order, Now What? Your First 14 Days That Make Everything Work

The quiet moment that costs people money You picked the peaceful route. You got your Final Order. Then… life calls, work piles up, and small “I’ll do it later” items start eating your wallet and your sanity. The truth: your first two weeks after the decree determine...

Do Not Sign Yet: 7 Quiet Red Flags in “Friendly” Agreements

The trap: “It all looks fine…” You kept it civil, you agreed on the big stuff, and the draft feels tidy. But friendly divorces often hide silent problems—phrases that sound reasonable and later explode into credit issues, parenting fights, and do-overs. Here are the...

Screenshots Don’t Delete Themselves: The Social Media Clause Your Divorce Needs

The post you didn’t mean to post It starts harmless: a song lyric, a “new chapter” selfie, a joke your friends will “get.” Then your ex gets the screenshots, your in-laws chime in, someone’s boss sees it, and the quiet divorce gets loud. Online drama is the fastest...

Who Gets the Dog? Pet Plans That Don’t Turn Peace Into War

The furry third rail of “friendly” divorce You split the furniture, you mapped the parenting schedule, you even agreed on the refinance. Then four words blow it up: “But he’s my dog.”Pets carry real emotion. In Georgia, they’re treated as property in divorce, but...

Miss This Window, Lose Your Voice: Uncontested Legitimation Explained

The headline no one tells dads You can love your child, be on the birth certificate, and still have no legal say about school, doctors, travel, or where your child lives. In Georgia, if you weren’t married to the mother at birth, you must complete legitimation to be...

One Lawyer for Both of Us? The “Neutral Attorney” Myth

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...

Paper Trail, Peace of Mind: The 30-Day Proof Plan That Ends Money Fights

Why “trust me” collapses after the first bill You meant it when you said you’d keep things friendly. Then the mortgage auto-pays, a medical bill arrives, and a streaming subscription renews on the wrong card. Without a clear proof routine, even kind people end up...

Recent Posts

She’s Engaged Again—Can I Stop Paying Alimony Now?

You’re cutting checks each month to an ex who just posted an engagement ring on Instagram. Or maybe she’s moved in with someone new. And you’re wondering—why am I still paying her alimony? If you're in Georgia, you’re not alone—and the law might actually be on your...

I’m Not Trying to Take the Kids—Just Want to See Them

You’re Not the Villain—You’re a Parent Just because you're not the parent with full custody doesn’t mean you're not a good one. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’m not trying to take the kids—I just want to see them,” then this blog is for you. In Georgia,...

She Said I Could Have the Car—But It’s Still in Her Name

That Wasn’t a Gift—It Was a Trap Divorce is emotional. And sometimes, in the middle of all that hurt, one party tries to play nice—or make peace—with promises they don’t intend to keep.“She said I could have the car.”“She told me to stay in the house.”“She said she’d...

She Left—So Why Is She Still Trying to Come Back?

It’s awkward. It’s confusing.She left—but suddenly wants to “stop by.” Maybe to pick something up. Maybe to talk. Maybe to see the kids. But here's the big question every man finds himself asking: Can I change the locks—or will that blow up in my face? Let’s break it...

She’s Gone So Why Am I Still Walking on Eggshells?

It’s Not Just About the Keys—It’s About Peace She moved out. The locks changed. But every time your phone buzzes, your stomach still tightens.Maybe it’s a “quick stop” to grab something she forgot. Maybe she’s texting about the dog, the kids, or some bill from three...

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16 Ninth Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901

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Attorney Catherine Verdery Ryan | Divorce, Family Law, Personal Injury

Catherine Ryan is the best attorney in the Augusta area for your uncontested divorce and legitimation cases. With over 30 years of experience, she’s the attorney who will advocate for your rights.